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Consumer Products => Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security (legacy Pro Antivirus, Internet Security, Premier) => Topic started by: Tekie on February 21, 2010, 04:31:56 AM

Title: 5.0.418 AV and floppy drive problem
Post by: Tekie on February 21, 2010, 04:31:56 AM
First off I need to say what a really great application Avast 5 AV is, I just came from using Kaspersky when my license expired and after trying out a lot of the competition find this to be among the top both in term of features and user friendliness (love that new user interface).

Ah yes but I didn’t register just to offer praise, after installing 5.0.418 Pro on two of my laptops and thinking I was ready to buy the license I installed it on my desktop system (running Xp Pro) and found a bug that makes use for me highly annoying.
See my desktop system still has a 3.5” floppy disk drive (remember them, hey I still like to run old DOS apps too), after installing Avast 5 each time I use Windows explorer to view “My Computer” it tries to access the floppy (A:\) drive even though there is no disk in the drive thus resulting in the drive searching (grinding noise) for a few seconds before shutting off. Additionally when I click on the floppy drive in explorer with no disk inserted I’m presented with a dialog box telling me the disk isn’t formatted instead of the usual operation which in which explorer displays a dialog asking you to insert a disk in drive A:

In an effort to try and isolate the problem I’ve disabled all shields (same problem)
Uninstalled Avast but not rebooted (same problem)
Uninstalled Avast and allowed system to reboot (problem solved)
Reinstalled Avast just to see if problem behavior returns (yes it does)

In a effort to eliminate a possible conflict between Avast and my particular hardware as a cause I have an old PIII system set up triple boot (Xp, Win7 & Vista) that I use for testing during software development, just for fun I hooked up an old floppy drive to that system and installed 5.0.418 in both Xp and Win7 and on both OS’s explorer still tries to access the floppy drive when opening “My Computer (Xp) or Computer (Win7)” from the desktop until Avast is uninstalled and the system allowed to reboot.

Hope this is fixed in a future update as I really like the new Avast (that old UI in 4 was too funky)
Title: Re: 5.0.418 AV and floppy drive problem
Post by: Gopher John on February 21, 2010, 04:59:35 AM
I have a 3.5" floppy drive on this machine and don't have the issue of attempted access.  Why Avast might trigger it on you machine and not mine is a mystery.

Did you uninstall Kaspersky using their uninstall tool before installing Avast?  See http://support.kaspersky.com/faq/?qid=208279463 (http://support.kaspersky.com/faq/?qid=208279463).
Title: Re: 5.0.418 AV and floppy drive problem
Post by: olddog on February 21, 2010, 05:34:25 AM
tekie,

I don't have that problem on any of the XP computers I use Avast 5.0.418 on either (one XP-Home SP2, one XP-Pro SP3, one XP-Home SP3), so I would suggest this is something specific to your particular setup.
Title: Re: 5.0.418 AV and floppy drive problem
Post by: Tekie on February 21, 2010, 11:15:45 PM
I have a 3.5" floppy drive on this machine and don't have the issue of attempted access.  Why Avast might trigger it on you machine and not mine is a mystery.
Did you uninstall Kaspersky using their uninstall tool before installing Avast?

Well just to be sure I have a spare hard drive I did a clean Xp install on and still have the same problem.
To investegate further I tried both Avast AV Pro and the freeware version, odd but only the pro version causes the problem of the A drive serching for a disk when "My Computer" is opened, the freeware version doesn't do that.

I would also point out that it only acts up when the system is rebooted after the Avast installation, now since Avast doesn't require a reboot after installation I tried a "Removable Media Scan" both before and after reboot.
Below are screen caps of the results showing a definate problem with the way the A:\ drive is detected before and after.

(http://mysite.verizon.net/vzevohab/pics/noreboot.jpg)

(http://mysite.verizon.net/vzevohab/pics/reboot.jpg)
Title: Re: 5.0.418 AV and floppy drive problem
Post by: Tekie on February 21, 2010, 11:19:55 PM
tekie,

I don't have that problem on any of the XP computers I use Avast 5.0.418 on either (one XP-Home SP2, one XP-Pro SP3, one XP-Home SP3), so I would suggest this is something specific to your particular setup.

Not likely since I've tried it on two different systems one with WinXp Pro and the other a dual boot with both XpPro and Win7, same problem on both machines and also happens under both Win7 and Xp
Title: Re: 5.0.418 AV and floppy drive problem
Post by: olddog on February 22, 2010, 04:59:55 AM
Tekie,

Whilst I'm not in a position to offer you a solution or even a work around, I'm pretty sure the error codes and descriptions that are returned in your screen prints are actually XP error codes (or from the Microsoft operating system) rather than codes from Avast.

If you put a diskette into the drive which has some files on it, scan it, then take it out and retest with the removable media scan, you will probably like me get a different message and code than if you boot up and do the test without having used the drive.

I have a number of PC's that still have 3.5" disk drives, including P3, P4 and Core 2 Duo CPUs. The characteristics of the floppy drive is slightly different between all of them, whether this is mainly to do with the hardware, bios or software drivers I don't know, but on the P4 and Core 2, as well as a portable that all have XP and Avast5 Home installed, your original problem of the floppy being accessed when you open Windows Explorer doesn't occur.
Title: Re: 5.0.418 AV and floppy drive problem
Post by: Tekie on February 22, 2010, 05:48:03 AM
Hey olddog,

I do realize that it is possible that this just could be something that by chance happens on both my machines specific to my hardware. (Yeah that's the type of thing that drives programmers nuts)

Just for kicks could you try this for me and let me know what happens.

With no floppy in the A drive double click on it and see if windows ask for you to insert a disk OR does it say the disk is unformatted "Do you want to format the disk yes/no"

What does it do on you machines?
Title: Re: 5.0.418 AV and floppy drive problem
Post by: olddog on February 22, 2010, 06:40:30 AM
Just for kicks could you try this for me and let me know what happens.

With no floppy in the A drive double click on it and see if windows ask for you to insert a disk OR does it say the disk is unformatted "Do you want to format the disk yes/no"

Tekie,

I only have access to one PC right at the moment, the Core 2 Duo listed in my signature. On that, if I reboot first then click on the A drive in Windows Explorer, it says "The disk in drive A is not formatted etc".

If I then put a diskette in the drive, click on it and read it, then take it out and click on the A drive again in Windows Explorer it says "Please insert a disk into drive A". The drive A light stays on and it continues to graunch every few seconds like it is still trying to read a disk until I click on Cancel.

Once I reboot it returns to the alternative message "The disk in drive A is not formatted etc".

I have tried this with Avast running normally (File, Mail, Web and network Shields on - I don't have the behaviour shield installed), and off line with all shields turned off - the results are the same both ways.

When I open Windows Explorer it doesn't check drive A unless I click on it.
Title: Re: 5.0.418 AV and floppy drive problem
Post by: Tekie on February 23, 2010, 05:52:48 AM
Yay! I've not gone crazy, here's another user with the same problem I have.
http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=56126.0 (http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=56126.0)

Anyways until I sort this out (or better yet Avast does), since I rarely use the floppy drive I'll just disable it in the Windows device manager and then if I want to use it it'll just be a few more clicks.
Title: Re: 5.0.418 AV and floppy drive problem
Post by: xatrix on March 03, 2010, 04:38:33 AM
Yes, i confirm, the problem stands still...

I'm using Windows 7 (7600) Ultimate and Avast! 5.0.418 version.
It's really annoying!
Title: Re: 5.0.418 AV and floppy drive problem
Post by: YoKenny on March 03, 2010, 04:57:08 AM
I do not have a problem one either of my systems.

I have to click on the floppy in My Computer to have it request access to the floppy drive.
Title: Re: 5.0.418 AV and floppy drive problem
Post by: Jon_T on March 03, 2010, 05:26:31 AM
Tekie,

My Dell PWS 390 (Win XP Pro SP3) with avast! Pro 5.0.418 does the same thing.  Never really noticed before since the PC sets back under my desk, but experiencing the same when I use Windows explorer to view “My Computer” it tries to access the floppy A:\ drive.

I am also getting the same "The disk in drive A is not formatted. Do you want to format it now?"
 message when I double-click on the A:\ drive icon.
(http://)

My older Dell 4450 (Win XP Pro SP3) still with avast! 4.8 Home, does not try to access the A: floppy drive.  However when I double-click the A: drive icon I get the same above message.

Do not have time right now, but have a old Toshiba notebook (Win XP Home) still using avast! 4.8 Home I'll see what it does.
Title: Re: 5.0.418 AV and floppy drive problem
Post by: xatrix on March 03, 2010, 11:05:52 PM
Look, i seems to have no such a "shit" with diskette format, but it's still scratch my floppy disk drive when i open My Computer, no matter is there disk in or not...
Title: Re: 5.0.418 AV and floppy drive problem
Post by: jhanks64 on March 18, 2010, 08:14:10 PM
I have the same exact problem on my Windows 7 Enterprise 32bit system.

Yesterday I discovered that 4 computers running Windows XP Pro (all with floppy disk drives) also had the problem.  The computers without floppy drives did NOT have the problem.

Even trying to save a file took 20 seconds for the network drives to show up.

Reverting back to Avast 4.8 fixed the problem.

Title: Re: 5.0.418 AV and floppy drive problem
Post by: insiemes on March 30, 2010, 02:54:08 PM
I have a same problem WinXP SP3 & Avast 5 Free. (2 computers with floppy drives)
Version 4.8 works perfect on both.
Title: Re: 5.0.418 AV and floppy drive problem
Post by: ToM ™ on April 06, 2010, 11:15:42 AM
Hi,

could you try un-check both boxes in "Files System Shield" -> "Expert Settings" -> "Scan when Attaching"

thank
Title: this is what I am looking for in AVAST 5.0
Post by: Clato on April 06, 2010, 01:28:11 PM
First off I need to say what a really great application Avast 5 AV is, I just came from using Kaspersky when my license expired and after trying out a lot of the competition find this to be among the top both in term of features and user friendliness (love that new user interface).

Ah yes but I didn’t register just to offer praise, after installing 5.0.418 Pro on two of my laptops and thinking I was ready to buy the license I installed it on my desktop system (running Xp Pro) and found a bug that makes use for me highly annoying.
See my desktop system still has a 3.5” floppy disk drive (remember them, hey I still like to run old DOS apps too), after installing Avast 5 each time I use Windows explorer to view “My Computer” it tries to access the floppy (A:\) drive even though there is no disk in the drive thus resulting in the drive searching (grinding noise) for a few seconds before shutting off. Additionally when I click on the floppy drive in explorer with no disk inserted I’m presented with a dialog box telling me the disk isn’t formatted instead of the usual operation which in which explorer displays a dialog asking you to insert a disk in drive A:

In an effort to try and isolate the problem I’ve disabled all shields (same problem)
Uninstalled Avast but not rebooted (same problem)
Uninstalled Avast and allowed system to reboot (problem solved)
Reinstalled Avast just to see if problem behavior returns (yes it does)

In a effort to eliminate a possible conflict between Avast and my particular hardware as a cause I have an old PIII system set up triple boot (Xp, Win7 & Vista) that I use for testing during software development, just for fun I hooked up an old floppy drive to that system and installed 5.0.418 in both Xp and Win7 and on both OS’s explorer still tries to access the floppy drive when opening “My Computer (Xp) or Computer (Win7)” from the desktop until Avast is uninstalled and the system allowed to reboot.

Hope this is fixed in a future update as I really like the new Avast (that old UI in 4 was too funky)

Title: Re: 5.0.418 AV and floppy drive problem
Post by: Savoir on April 17, 2010, 10:03:32 PM
Count me as one of the disgruntled .......
A:\ queried everytime I open Explorer\My Computer
XP Pro SP3 on a computer that I built .........
Title: Re: 5.0.418 AV and floppy drive problem
Post by: Savoir on April 18, 2010, 05:09:39 PM
Hi,

could you try un-check both boxes in "Files System Shield" -> "Expert Settings" -> "Scan when Attaching"

thank

Tried it ........ no effect!
I've even tried disabling all Real Time Shields ....... no joy.
Everytime I open Explorer/My Computer Avast 5 grinds away at my Floppy drive.
Very annoying !!
Title: Re: 5.0.418 AV and floppy drive problem
Post by: Savoir on April 21, 2010, 12:58:50 AM
Bump !
Title: Re: 5.0.418 AV and floppy drive problem
Post by: jhanks64 on April 22, 2010, 09:38:40 AM
I just installed Windows XP Pro fresh on a computer and towards the end, I installed Avast 5.0 Pro.  Every time I open up "My Computer" or Windows Explorer, the floppy drive is accessed and frequently the icons on the desktop disappear and then come back.  There is a big delay going on.

I did try turning off those two settings in the "Files System Shield" -> "Expert Settings" -> "Scan when Attaching", it made no difference.

Previously this computer had been using 4.8 and upgrade to 5.0 without the problem.  Then the Hard Drive died and I installed a new one and re-loaded Windows XP and the software.
Title: Re: 5.0.418 AV and floppy drive problem
Post by: Savoir on April 22, 2010, 10:39:52 PM
I am also among the disgruntled .....
I disabled the floppy drive in Device Manager and the floppy disk check went away ... as did the delay in opening Explorer\My Computer  (XP operating system).
This is not an acceptable solution in my book but, at least the annoyance has been mitigated.
Title: Re: 5.0.418 AV and floppy drive problem
Post by: fp252 on April 28, 2010, 07:26:04 AM
I too am having this problem. It happens every time I access the C: root folder through My Computer; Windows Explorer freezes for a few seconds, I hear the floppy drive attempting to read, then WE returning to normal. Occasionally happens with the subfolders as well after navigating away from the root directory.

I have had Avast! installed for about 2 years, and this problem had only started occurring a few weeks ago.
Title: Re: 5.0.418 AV and floppy drive problem
Post by: adam4900 on April 30, 2010, 01:45:26 PM
i paid for 4.8 internet security 3year license, and recently updated to 5.0 pro (free upgrade) not the internet security paid version. that caused no problems, however as a paying customer would have been nice to get the full upgrade for free as i only recently paid for 4.8. anyhow upgrading didnt cause a problem, problem started after i installed a copy of dvd fab 6 cracked by final. didnt like the fact that i had hacked/cracked drivers from that software and that the floppy noise would happen each time i opened my computer so uninstalled but still get the noise? dvd fab scanned and no virus but id rather a simple serial! alot safer
Title: Re: 5.0.418 AV and floppy drive problem
Post by: PabloBlau on January 18, 2011, 05:37:09 PM
I have the same problem with Windows XP Pro and Avast 5.1.889. I've been using version 4.8 for almost 2 years and have'nt had any problems. For now the only solution is to disable the floppy drive.
Title: Re: 5.0.418 AV and floppy drive problem
Post by: Lisandro on January 18, 2011, 05:41:27 PM
Does the problem occur +/- 8 minutes after making logon or it occurs all the time?
Title: Re: 5.0.418 AV and floppy drive problem
Post by: Lisandro on January 18, 2011, 05:42:41 PM
Does disabling rootkit scan helps?
http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=69594.msg584909#msg584909
Title: Re: 5.0.418 AV and floppy drive problem
Post by: PabloBlau on January 18, 2011, 05:47:38 PM
It occurs all the time.
Title: Re: 5.0.418 AV and floppy drive problem
Post by: Lisandro on January 18, 2011, 06:09:59 PM
Try disabling the Behavior Shield then (Control Panel > Programs > avast > Remove > Change > uninstall BeS.
Title: Re: 5.0.418 AV and floppy drive problem
Post by: PabloBlau on January 19, 2011, 11:19:47 AM
Hi Tech !!

I uninstalled the Behavior Shield, as you told me, and now the problem is solved. You have found the solution quickly!! Thank you very much.

Only one question: Can I leave the Behavior Shield removed?

These are the features of the Behavior Shield that I found on the avast website:
Behavior Shield: Monitors activity on the computer using various sensors (system files, registry and network) and blocks and reports any suspicious behavior.

Thanks for your help and your time.
Title: Re: 5.0.418 AV and floppy drive problem
Post by: Lisandro on January 19, 2011, 11:24:00 AM
I uninstalled the Behavior Shield, as you told me, and now the problem is solved. You have found the solution quickly!! Thank you very much.
It's a workaround, not a solution.

Only one question: Can I leave the Behavior Shield removed?
Right now, on version 5.1 it is on "passive" mode.
Hope the programmers solve the problems on version 6 (coming soon).
Title: Re: 5.0.418 AV and floppy drive problem
Post by: PabloBlau on January 19, 2011, 12:23:03 PM
Ok Tech. Thanks from Spain.
Title: Re: 5.0.418 AV and floppy drive problem
Post by: rambo1940 on January 19, 2011, 12:43:11 PM
I have the same annoyance on my W7 computer but not on my Xp.
Simple answer,disconnect floppy drive--problem sorted,or can go to Device Manager and disable
I only have a floppy drive fitted because i had a spare when i built the machine but i never used it.
On thinking about it i assumed it was something to do with the A/V--Avast but couldn't figure out how to stop it scanning the drive so i remains disconnected.
Regards