Avast WEBforum
Consumer Products => Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security (legacy Pro Antivirus, Internet Security, Premier) => Topic started by: rob24 on June 18, 2010, 01:06:51 AM
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I have been running Avast 4.8 free for some considerable time. I just got a reminder come up to tell me my version is out of date/will soon be out of date. But reading through some threads here there seems to be a deal of problems with it, what with a removal tool being stickied and all.
I run Win XP SP3 on a 4200 dual core AMD with 1Gb Ram and it is slowed somewhat over two years, though nowhere near enough to warrant reinstallation. Will I likely have problems with system resources and slowness if I upgrade (which I guess I'll be compelled to enventually).
Any comments and warnings grateful thanks.
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Dont worry with 5.0 its way better in all ways than 4.8 its shouldnt slow you down.
Also update your signature could be usefull for the past.
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Just make sure that you:
- uninstall any other real-time antivirus programs and run the correct removal tool (http://uninstallers.blogspot.com/) for those programs
- make sure that your system is clean/free of viruses
- reboot after upgrading
and you'll be fine. ;)
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I have a similar set-up as yourself, excluding comodo and old-school spybot, and have not found any free-AV, that runs as well as Avast 5 or as effective at malware detection. I would look to spyrot or bot (whatever) for any problems you run into...
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I was using 4.8 before upgrading to 5. I haven't had any of the resource problems some people have reported. I have Vista but I installed 5 on my mom's system that's similar to yours and everything works great. I don't remember what my usage was with 4.8, but right now Windows Task Manager is showing AvastSvc.exe running about 9.5 MB and AvastUI.exe about 2 MB. CPU is 00. The program itself uses 142 MB of hard drive space. I don't remember what that number was for 4.8 either, but I think 5 is quite a bit more. I've got the space though so no sweat.
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avast 5.0 uses more hard disk space as the virus definitions database is unpacked and that increases scanning speed. So in the days of monster hard disks, 142MB is a drop in the ocean. Mine is much larger than that as at times (after virus definitions update there is some folder duplication until avast does some house keeping).
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Thanks guys.
Strange that I didn't get email notification of these replies (I thought no-one had answered :P until I looked here). I have notifications switched on and all. ??? [Edit: OK I found it in the Spam folder ::)]
Anyway, your replies enourage me so thanks. Umm I do occasionally run online scanners - BitDefender and previously HouseCall. Also do I need to run the Avast 4.8 uninstaller? The reminder to update avast was a great bit box encouraging me to buy the professional addition with a row of ticks (sorry check marks) against that one and only one against the free edtion. The box had a yellow border. I take it that is the genuine prompt? I'll take a screenshot next time it comes up.
My sig is a bit out of date in that I now have Comodo 4.1 and Spybot 6.2.1. I had a fair bit of trouble updating Comodo but it is OK now. I have superantispyware (paid for) but had to stop using it recentlyas it was freezing the system up. I have AntiMalwareBytes free instead. Anyway I'll update when Avast is successfully updated.
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Quick question.
For the purpose of upgrading to Avast free 5, do I need to run the Avast 4.8 uninstaller tool first or simply run the installer from the upgrade reminder when it appars next time?
It's just someone mentioned in this thread about uninstalling other real time AV programs first using the available uninstaller tools.
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I did the two ways. Install over 4.8 and remove it and install 5 all went fine.
Up to you if the 5.0 did bad by install over 4.8 then do a clean install with removing the rest with the tool.
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It should be possible to update over 4.8.
An extra reboot (in addition to the normal one reboot) afterward might be a good idea, if anything seems not quite right.
What I'd do is download the full installation file and save it. Download the removal tool and save it.
That way, if there are any problems, you can run a full uninstall routine - including using the tool (don't worry, it's pretty intuitive) - and then reinstall from the new install file, while being offline to do so. (Should always be offline when uninstalling/installing AV or firewall software.) Reconnect to the net as soon as the new program version is up and running. If you have to do this, you will need to re-register the new version, too, and that is painless, from within the options in the tray icon.
Chances are, you can run the updater from the existing program, and it won't be a problem.
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I always suggest an installation from scratch:
1. Download the latest version of avast! Uninstall Utility (http://www.avast.com/eng/avast-uninstall-utility.html) and save it.
2. Download the latest avast! (http://www.avast.com/eng/programs.html) version and save it.
3. Uninstall avast from Control Panel (if possible). If, for any reason, you can't run it, try booting in Safe Mode (http://www.pchell.com/support/safemode.shtml) and doing it from there. Anyway, boot after that.
4. Run the avast! Uninstall Utility saved on 1. If, for any reason, you can't run it, try booting in Safe Mode (http://www.pchell.com/support/safemode.shtml) and doing it from there. Anyway, boot after you've run it.
5. Install avast! using the setup saved on 2. Boot.
6. Register your free copy or add the license key for Pro.
7. Check and post the results.
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I always suggest an installation from scratch:
1. Download the latest version of avast! Uninstall Utility (http://www.avast.com/eng/avast-uninstall-utility.html) and save it.
2. Download the latest avast! (http://www.avast.com/eng/programs.html) version and save it.
3. Uninstall avast from Control Panel (if possible). If, for any reason, you can't run it, try booting in Safe Mode (http://www.pchell.com/support/safemode.shtml) and doing it from there. Anyway, boot after that.
4. Run the avast! Uninstall Utility saved on 1. If, for any reason, you can't run it, try booting in Safe Mode (http://www.pchell.com/support/safemode.shtml) and doing it from there. Anyway, boot after you've run it.
5. Install avast! using the setup saved on 2. Boot.
6. Register your free copy or add the license key for Pro.
7. Check and post the results.
Thanks that's really helpful.
One point to clarify if you don't mind - not clear whether you mean uninstall from Control Panel AND use the uninstall facility or only use the uninstall utility if uninstall doesn't happen or maybe is incomplete using Control Panel.
(BTW I'm being cautious, [hence the questions], as I had a lot of problems getting the new Comodo version to work. After uninstalling both version leaving nothing, Security Centre kept telling me Comodo was on when I tried switching on the Windows Firewall. I had used safe mode to uninstall Comodo too. Then I installed the new version again and it was completely successful, to my relief!)
Thanks
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Well, I think I too read too much horror stories here and was pretty much as worried as you. I read all the methods and the potential fixes. I wondered how in the 21st century, one cannot come up with a clean installer that does all the work better than a human. After much debate inside my head, and remembering that the first time I boarded a plane was with the clear intention of jumping overboard and not land with it, I told myself the h*** with it, and again, lets jump; and I clicked, almost with my eyes closed, on the "install" button at the bottom of the free version column on that harassing window, after restarting my computer (to get that window to show up again and be pretty sure nothing else than my internet connection was running).
I didn't remove 4.8. I didn't even stop it (hey, after all, I'm still connected to that Petri dish we call internet). I saw the download happening then I clicked the Install button (probably after saying yes to some sort of licence, but I don't even remember as I may have been has nervous as some machine gun meat landing on the beach on D Day!). I saw the installation begin, quickly, the box told it was creating a restore point. The nervosity went down by a notch then. I saw the 4.8 icon getting slashed out. And it installed. I rebooted as asked. The moment of Truth was near and my computer came back to life. The nice new icon was there, but slashed out. OK, I went into the settings and made some changes to the default to get them somewhat higher and to activate the thing. And yes, those predefined scans were inactive too as some others reported. I rebooted again, the icon came back slashed out again but the predefine scans were now fine. I reactivated the program and rebooted one last time, and now, the AV comes back active each time. IT WORKED!!!
I even think the sucker is faster than 4.8 and the update message is somewhat less "aggressive" than the previous one. Checked my CPU usage and it actually went down by much. So, to counterbalance some of the horror stories we find here (I know, it's an help forum and when one doesn't need help...!) I thought it would be nice to tell you mine, though it has not much in terms of cliffhangers and ends so well it is actually quite dull and it won't make it into Hollywood for sure.
Don't know why my profile setttings don't show as much as in the help section, t'may be cause this is my first post here, but can't find how to make a sig for now. So here's the machine in plain text:
Dell Optiplex GX240, 32 bit Pentium IV 2 GHz, 1 Gb RAM, Win XP pro SP3, Windows Defender, MBAM Free (so runs manually) and went from Avast! 4.8 to 5.0.545 without a hitch. I also scanned with the On-line scanner House Call from Trend Micro to make sure the other programs I have didn't miss anything.
Is the venerable age of this machine the reason why it went this well? I don't know, but as I age myself, I find drastic changes are usually much harder to accept so easily... ;)
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I was worried too. I read and read and worried some more. A few days ago I got a popup asking if I wanted to install the new version. I bit the bullet and just let Avast do it - right then without uninstalling anything. No problems. Everything is working fine and it doesn't use any more resources than 4.8.
Only issue for me is UI. Ughh.
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rob24,
Uninstall from the control panel first.
Reboot. If there were problems with that uninstall, the reboot should be into safe mode. If not, just reboot.
Run the uninstaller, either in safe, or normal.
Reboot.
Install afresh. Reboot when prompted. Any indications that something is not quite right, give it a couple of minutes, reboot again.
Hope that clarifies.
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rob24,
Uninstall from the control panel first.
Reboot. If there were problems with that uninstall, the reboot should be into safe mode. If not, just reboot.
Run the uninstaller, either in safe, or normal.
Reboot.
Install afresh. Reboot when prompted. Any indications that something is not quite right, give it a couple of minutes, reboot again.
Hope that clarifies.
Eerm, I must be thick or something (no need to answer that bit ;D) but:
You said uninstall from Control Panel and reboot. That's fine.
The uninstaller - does it need running anyway whether previous step is successful or not?
I was pointed to an uninstall tool earlier in this thread by Tech (http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=60879.msg514335#msg514335) that seems to be for version 5. Don't I need one for version 4.8?
Thanks
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Nothing wrong with being sure.
The installer can be run whether there were problems with the uninstall or not.
It will do no harm to run it, and it will remove the 4.8 leftovers (if any) as well as those for version 5.
Personally, I like to run it. Start from a clean slate, as it were.
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OK thank you.
I think I have enough confidence to do the upgrade now. (After solving the prob with the BBC News video content that has stopped working that is. Other applications that use the Flash player are OK. Maybe it's them. I'll see tomorrow).
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BBC's player is the subject of all sorts of moaning around the web. I can't help you with that one, sorry. It seems to be a bit..."special".
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BBC's player is the subject of all sorts of moaning around the web. I can't help you with that one, sorry. It seems to be a bit..."special".
Whatever it was with the BBC content is OK now.
Anyway I can do the avast upgrade now and I'll post the results! Or problems! Thanks.
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Anyway I can do the avast upgrade now and I'll post the results! Or problems! Thanks.
Spybot could make troubles..! I would drop it before..!!
asyn
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Well I have Avast 5 installed successfully following the advice about uninstalling 4.8 from Control Panel, running the uninstaller tool them running the installation file, rebooting at every step.
Seems OK just now. AvastUI.exe shows 5,928K and AvastSvc.exe shows 60,096K. Does that look healthy :-\ I fancied it was slowing the system up more on a first quick scan, but not sure. OK on the whole and pleased at present.
It's really nice to see a proper scan scheduler 8). Great improvement 8). I had previously had a daily scan to run Ashquick.exe using the Windows Task Scheduler (which I've now disabled). I'm wondering if I can now set (well I have to see if it works) a quick scan daily for 6 days of the week and a full scan on the seventh day. Maybe I ought to play safe and stick to a full scan as before, effectively.
Windows Security Centre took a little while to realise Avast 5 was installed!
On 'Actions' - what setting are recommended generally if a thread is detected. It seems the default is to do nothing. I've set 'Move to Chest' then no other action for all threats for now.
I really like the professional look to the interface - better than the dinky little media player look of 4.8
Thanks alot for help folks.
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rob24, on demand scanning should have a purpose... Although it can be run very often, why do so? If avast resident is protecting you...
For the actions, the default is "Move to Chest" (or disconnect in Web Shield). If you're an advanced user, you could set "Ask" for action in File Shield. Otherwise, set "Move to Chest", the default.
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OK thanks for the advice. I'm well pleased thus far.
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You're more thank welcome.
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Glad it's all good. (No reason why it shouldn't be, of course.)
You may need to register the new version at some point. This is painless, via a right click on the tray icon.
Personally, I did a full scan once, and just do quick scans every week or two, in case of a zero day exploit. Nothing found, so far.
The first full scan will take a while; subsequent scans are faster.
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Glad it's all good. (No reason why it shouldn't be, of course.)
You may need to register the new version at some point. This is painless, via a right click on the tray icon.
Personally, I did a full scan once, and just do quick scans every week or two, in case of a zero day exploit. Nothing found, so far.
The first full scan will take a while; subsequent scans are faster.
I did register - painless as you say.
Hmm I may change my scanning schedule now that I can. I was a pain having the computer slowed for 60-70 mins every day using Ashquick.exe, though I chose a time when I tended not to be using it.
One point is that when the computer starts, after entering the password for my account, it hangs or dwells for maybe 15-30 secs then to a desktop with no icons where it hangs again for a similar time before the icons appear and the start continues to completion. The disc is working away during this so I'm assuming Avast is doing something as that is the change. Is that normal? I don't mind much as long as it it is supposed to be doing that ;)
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One point is that when the computer starts, after entering the password for my account, it hangs or dwells for maybe 15-30 secs then to a desktop with no icons where it hangs again for a similar time before the icons appear and the start continues to completion. The disc is working away during this so I'm assuming Avast is doing something as that is the change. Is that normal? I don't mind much as long as it it is supposed to be doing that ;)
Thats Spybot..! Again, I would drop it...
asyn
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One point is that when the computer starts, after entering the password for my account, it hangs or dwells for maybe 15-30 secs then to a desktop with no icons where it hangs again for a similar time before the icons appear and the start continues to completion. The disc is working away during this so I'm assuming Avast is doing something as that is the change. Is that normal? I don't mind much as long as it it is supposed to be doing that ;)
Thats Spybot..! Again, I would drop it...
asyn
OK but what do other's think about Spybot in this context. The change I mention started only when I installed Avast 5 in place of 4.8.
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The change I mention started only when I installed Avast 5 in place of 4.8.
It interferes only with avast 5.
asyn
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OK but what do other's think about Spybot in this context.
It was great in it's hay-day, now it's time for MBAM. http://www.malwarebytes.org
Drop spybot.
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OK but what do other's think about Spybot in this context.
It was great in it's hay-day, now it's time for MBAM. http://www.malwarebytes.org
Drop spybot.
OK thanks.
As you see from my sig I have Malwarebytes (free version) since about mid March 2010. It has never detected anything, whilst Spybot does (though only tracking cookies). I was also using superAntispyware with also used to detect a lot though can't remember what. I stopped using it as it was freezing Windows. I still have it installed but not running. Spybot also froze Windows a few days ago for the first time ever (before updating to Avast 5).
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Spybot also froze Windows a few days ago for the first time ever (before updating to Avast 5).
So, for the last time...
1. Drop Spybot & be happy. :)
2. Don't drop it and run into more problems, using it. :(
Anyway, it's up to you.
asyn
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I'm using SpyBot Search & Destroy without the TeaTimer resident module. I have none of the problems discussed here. See my signature for the list.
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I still have SpyBot installed... but without TeaTimer.
But this is interesting... I also see my PC boot like Rob24 reports -- no icons for awhile and seems to Almost hang. There's HDD activity, but not for about 10 or 15 secs do the desktop icons show up. System tray icons show up slowly too. Maybe twice as long as it used to with avast-4.8. I just thought it was avast-5 checking for updates. I was wondering what was causing this but have been putting up with it. SpyBot really doesn't find anything, but I do us 'immunize' which always adds some protection I thought ::).
So you're saying SpyBot is the culprit?
Thanks.
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So you're saying SpyBot is the culprit?
Yes. Correct...!!!
Better drop it.
asyn
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I still have SpyBot installed... but without TeaTimer.
But this is interesting... I also see my PC boot like Rob24 reports -- no icons for awhile and seems to Almost hang. There's HDD activity, but not for about 10 or 15 secs do the desktop icons show up. System tray icons show up slowly too. Maybe twice as long as it used to with avast-4.8. I just thought it was avast-5 checking for updates. I was wondering what was causing this but have been putting up with it. SpyBot really doesn't find anything, but I do us 'immunize' which always adds some protection I thought ::).
So you're saying SpyBot is the culprit?
Thanks.
Interesting. Someone else finding the same specific thing!
I just checked the Spybot forums for mentions of Avast and although I didn't check very thoroughly, I only saw various references to Avast 4.8. Not this specifically. Maybe I'll post on there see what happens.
You mention Spybot doesn't really find anything. Of what is does find, is it just tracking cookies?
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I just checked the Spybot forums for mentions of Avast and although I didn't check very thoroughly, I only saw various references to Avast 4.8. Not this specifically. Maybe I'll post on there see what happens.
Why not check the avast forum..!?? ;)
asyn
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Rob24 wrote: You mention Spybot doesn't really find anything. Of what is does find, is it just tracking cookies?
SpyBot doesn't even find tracking cookies as I clean those out frequently using CCleaner (along with cache etc. There's a setting in CCleaner where you can keep certain cookies so you don't have to log into frequently viewed sites.
Post back if you find out anything from the SpyBot forum. I'd be interested.
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Why not check the avast forum..!?? ;)
asyn
I did and couldn't find anything relating to SpyBot (and avast5) causing slower boot or slow icons showing up. BTW, I do not have TeaTimer running.
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I did and couldn't find anything relating to SpyBot (and avast5) causing slower boot or slow icons showing up. BTW, I do not have TeaTimer running.
Well, so maybe I imagined the users with the problems...
Btw, ZA also makes troubles sometimes.
asyn
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I did and couldn't find anything relating to SpyBot (and avast5) causing slower boot or slow icons showing up. BTW, I do not have TeaTimer running.
Well, so maybe I imagined the users with the problems...
Btw, ZA also makes troubles sometimes.
asyn
;D Yes I've read where you posted that before. I've not had ANY problems with the free version of ZA and avast for at least three of four years.
Thanks though.
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1. Yes I've read where you posted that before. I've not had ANY problems with the free version of ZA and avast for at least three of four years.
2. Thanks though.
1. Good for you, thats why I stated 'sometimes'...
2. No problem...
asyn
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Hi All,
I'm new at this so please bear with me!
I upgraded from Avast 4.8 to 5. On the interface that came up it says that I am not fully protected, and to press the "Fix Now" button-- I did and nothing happened. It also shows that the "Real Time" shields are "OFF", but the "Turn On" button does nothing. Also, it shows that the "Mail" shield is "Off", but again, the "Turn On" button doesn't do anything. Am I missing something? FYI, the icon on the task bar also tells me that I am not fully protected. :( How do I get this animal to work as well as 4.8 right out of the box?
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Hi All,
I'm new at this so please bear with me!
I upgraded from Avast 4.8 to 5. On the interface that came up it says that I am not fully protected, and to press the "Fix Now" button-- I did and nothing happened. It also shows that the "Real Time" shields are "OFF", but the "Turn On" button does nothing. Also, it shows that the "Mail" shield is "Off", but again, the "Turn On" button doesn't do anything. Am I missing something? FYI, the icon on the task bar also tells me that I am not fully protected. :( How do I get this animal to work as well as 4.8 right out of the box?
Might I respectfully say you might have been better to start a new topic for your question. However you could initially search for existing topics to see if your issue has come up before. Mine is working fine, startup glitches notwithstanding. (Yeh I know guys maybe Spybot :-\ - waiting on a response from Spybot forums right now).
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rob24
spybotsandra has responded to your post in the spybot forum this morning.
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rob24
spybotsandra has responded to your post in the spybot forum this morning.
Thank you - didn't realise - I didn't have the notifications on!
They didn't see why Spybot was the issue after installing Avast 5. If any part 'would conflict', I have done what they suggested by turning off the Resident protection.
On restarting it made almost no difference, but on another restart it was ok again, no hang ::). So not quite sure how that is has compromised matters, but have asked.
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rob24
Thank you - didn't realise - I didn't have the notifications on!
They didn't see why Spybot was the issue after installing Avast 5. If any part 'would conflict', I have done what they suggested by turning off the Resident protection.
On restarting it made almost no difference, but on another restart it was ok again, no hang ::). So not quite sure how that is has compromised matters, but have asked.
Hmmm? So in SpyBot you unticked "Resident" and maybe "System Startup"? I didn't really think that would make any difference, but I'll have to try that to see if it makes any difference.
BTW, the thread for the SpyBot question is below where SpybotSandra suggested to...
If some parts would conflict, just those parts could be disabled.
That's the way to to disable the resident feature of Spybot - Search & Destroy: run Spybot-S&D, switch to the "Advanced mode" via the menu bar item "Mode" --> hit "YES" --> select "Tools" in the navigation bar on the left --> "Resident" and there you can untick the checkboxes in front of the two tools.
http://forums.spybot.info/showthread.php?t=58235&highlight=avast (http://forums.spybot.info/showthread.php?t=58235&highlight=avast)
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This thread might be interesting... ;)
http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=61077.0
asyn
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This thread might be interesting... ;)
http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=61077.0
asyn
Hmm the weight of evidence is growing against Spybot. I've asked SpybotSandra on their forums again as she thought I had 2 AV's going at once + MBAM if doing as she suggested is compromising protection.
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Hmm the weight of evidence is growing against Spybot. I've asked SpybotSandra on their forums again as she thought I had 2 AV's going at once + MBAM if doing as she suggested is compromising protection.
Why not just uninstalling Spybot and see what happens..!??
If you're not satisfied, you can still reinstall it again...
asyn
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Hmm the weight of evidence is growing against Spybot. I've asked SpybotSandra on their forums again as she thought I had 2 AV's going at once + MBAM if doing as she suggested is compromising protection.
Why not just uninstalling Spybot and see what happens..!??
If you're not satisfied, you can still reinstall it again...
asyn
Before uninstalling SpyBot Search & Destroy, have it remove the immunizations that it has added. If all resident modules have been set to not load, then the immunizations are the only thing that could be interfering with anything.
I am fully immunized, and am experiencing absolutely no problems at all with Avast Free. SpyBot's TeaTimer module, which I do not use, can bork installs if the user responds to questions about system changes that the install requires incorrectly, disallowing the required changes.
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Well this is wierd. I don't remember even looking at the Immunize part of Spybot before, but I did a few minutes ago and up popped a warning about a Browser being open (which it was). So I clicked OK and it Immunized. THen I repeatd it with no browser. Then I undid it and restarted Windows and dammit the start was hanging again. Then something said to me restart again, as when I switched of SD Helper yesterday and restarted it initially made no difference but did on a repeat restart - and today it has as well.
I'm confused ???
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In SpyBot S+D I switched off (unticked) "Resident" and "System Startup" from being checked. It seems this does make a difference on booting up. At least the icons show up almost immediately.
I've never used 'Tea Timer' so I know that's not a problem.
I may... repeat may.. uninstall SpyBot in the future, but I still like using the 'immunize' function. I'll see how it goes for awhile. I use the MVPS hosts file so I have the hosts check unticked under immunize.
MalwareBytes IS far superior and I use that (on demand only), as is SAS (SuperAntiSpyware).
<< Edit >>
Went ahead and uninstalled SpyBot. I tried undoing Immunize and SpyBot undid the protection. Then tried to immunize again. It kept hanging. Rebooted... it hung again.
So bye bye Spybot . :'( ::)
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So bye bye Spybot . :'( ::)
Finally...! ;)
Good choice, believe me - you'll never miss it..!
asyn