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Consumer Products => Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security (legacy Pro Antivirus, Internet Security, Premier) => Topic started by: Vlk on October 23, 2004, 03:06:26 PM

Title: INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: Vlk on October 23, 2004, 03:06:26 PM
Hi all,

Here we go. The long-awaited beta version of avast! 4.5 is here!

It contains a large number of improvements/fixes. The installation goes as always - by replacing the servers.def file and invoking program update.

How to install the beta, step by step:
1. Download the file http://cat.asw.cz/beta/servers.def and place it to the <avast>\setup folder (overwrite the existing file) -- see comments below on how to download the file.
2. Invoke avast! program update (will require reboot).

That's about it.

Note that servers.def is a text file - so I recommend to right click the link and select "Save as". If you left click it, it may open in your browser as text (as a page). In that case, you can simply copy&paste it to the corresponding file, but the first method is definitely more convenient.


Of course, I'll be glad to hear any respective comments from you guys! This is the biggest update since 4.1 (and possibly even 4.0).


Thanks! (and enjoy)

Vlk
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: Eddy on October 23, 2004, 03:23:57 PM
Installed 4.5 and after reboot already got the first problem. (see picture) The IP is from a ISP that hosts the mail for a cybercafé for which I pick the mail up. Mail client is Opera. Checked in Opera and nothing is changed there. I'm gonna try a few things and will keep you informed.
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: Negeltu on October 23, 2004, 03:24:10 PM
This is awesome!
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: RejZoR on October 23, 2004, 03:36:03 PM
Aaaa great day :) I must admit that you made an awesome skinless interface. Minimalistic and simple. Nice job.
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: Eddy on October 23, 2004, 03:55:09 PM
Ok, problem solved. I had to setup the pop server manually again, although nothing was changed. With 4.1 it ran fine without problems, after upgrading to 4.5 recieving mail (pop) through another provider than my own needed reconfiguring the mail accounts. Strange though.

I also noticed that I had to setup the permissions in a firewall again. (ZoneAlarm Pro)

Other than this no problems sofar.
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: a61_a61 on October 23, 2004, 04:02:41 PM
Installed it and looked it over.  I use to have the Standard Shield turned off because it would slow down the PC to much.  I have it turned on now and it seems to be OK.  I see a different look and a new Network Shield, but don't see much else that is obvious to me.  What are some of the new changes?

a61
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: Vlk on October 23, 2004, 04:07:09 PM
Eddy, the mail protection should work without reconfiguration of the mail client (i.e. NO 127.0.0.1 tricks etc). Does it in your case?

a61, please check out the other forum thread that outlines what's new.


thanks
Vlk
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: Eddy on October 23, 2004, 04:07:53 PM
Quote
Eddy, the mail protection should work without reconfiguration of the mail client (i.e. NO 127.0.0.1 tricks etc). Does it in your case?
No it didn't work. I had to do the 127.0.0.1 tricks. Only way to receive mail without those "tricks" was disabling the internet mail provider.

FYI: I use Outlook as mail provider to pickup my own mail from mail.home.nl (=same for smtp and pop server from my isp) No problems with Outlook.
In Opera I pickup the mail for a cybercafé which uses pop3.introweb.nl and smtp.introweb.nl. Since I send messages from home and the introweb server doesn't allow relay I use mail.home.nl as smtp server in Opera.
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: igor on October 23, 2004, 04:33:06 PM
Btw, Vlk surprised me again with the beta release :o
So, I suggest to check the English version of the Beta preferably - I'm not sure if all the resources of non-English versions have been updated yet (which may result even in a crash of the program). I'll fix it as soon as possible.
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: pask on October 23, 2004, 04:40:10 PM
Hi all.
This is my first post, even if i have been using Avast! from 1 year,
and i am glad to say that i have installed the Italian Version of the beta release (by upgrading previous version) without any problem.
Many compliments to all, this is a very good job  ;D
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: conazus on October 23, 2004, 04:40:27 PM
installed it .. works great  :)   Didnt have to redo any of my mail settings on either machine...  using OE and Thunderbird between the two.. it all went well.    Dont see alot of differerence really,  but then Im using Win98 so I dont get the Network Shield   :'( :'(
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: RejZoR on October 23, 2004, 04:45:53 PM
Wow mail protection works great with Mozilla Thunderbird 0.8. No setup required.
I'm really impressed :)
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: John- on October 23, 2004, 04:58:05 PM
Installed the beta,...like Vlk told,...and then after reboot,...nothing happens  ??? ....no blue avast ball in the system tray,...nothing,.... I can launch the antivirus from the start menu,...I seen the new interface,....but no resident protection ect,.....

anyway, ... i installed the previous version again and wait till official release   ;D
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: Eddy on October 23, 2004, 05:05:16 PM
Have you checked taskmanager to see if it was running or not when you did not see the blue ball?
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: John- on October 23, 2004, 05:08:45 PM
offcourse  :D
not active :(

weird
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: Lisandro on October 23, 2004, 05:11:43 PM
Btw, Vlk surprised me again with the beta release :o
So, I suggest to check the English version of the Beta preferably - I'm not sure if all the resources of non-English versions have been updated yet (which may result even in a crash of the program). I'll fix it as soon as possible.

Igor, will we, the non-English, be in danger?
I finished the update and will boot to see what I get  ;)
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: inthewildteam on October 23, 2004, 05:31:49 PM
XP Pro, Firefox ver 1 preview release, Thunderbird ver 0.8, Prevx home, Outpost free firewall.

Absolutely painless install, everything working including email scanning.
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: pask on October 23, 2004, 05:40:26 PM
Btw, Vlk surprised me again with the beta release :o
So, I suggest to check the English version of the Beta preferably - I'm not sure if all the resources of non-English versions have been updated yet (which may result even in a crash of the program). I'll fix it as soon as possible.

Igor, will we, the non-English, be in danger?
I finished the update and will boot to see what I get  ;)
As i posted previously, i use the italian version without any problems on a Windows 98 SE.
Later, i will test it on a Windows XP Machine  ;)
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: igor on October 23, 2004, 05:54:09 PM
Igor, will we, the non-English, be in danger? I finished the update and will boot to see what I get  ;)

Well, I wouldn't call it a danger, but theoretically, some problems may occur in specific parts of the program.
I hope the beta will be updated soon to a newer version.
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: lee16 on October 23, 2004, 06:01:57 PM
BETA version working fine for me  ;)

---lee
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: rdsu on October 23, 2004, 06:12:24 PM
Very good improment!!! THANKS

The email scanner works with the Thunderbird without the tricks...  ;D
The new skin is great!
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: DukeNukem on October 23, 2004, 06:48:33 PM
Hello!

Network Shield

Sensitivity : Normal | High | Custom

Whats the difference between Normal and High?

 :P
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: DukeNukem on October 23, 2004, 07:02:10 PM
avast! - help: resident protection
Network Shield - Provider Settings

Network Shield provider protects your computer from Internet worm attacks. It works similarly to a firewall, even though it does not fully substitutes it. The Network Shield does not require any user interraction.

Note: This resident provider is available on Windows NT, 2000, XP, and 2003 only.

Normal. The setting does not have any meaning for this provider.
High. The setting does not have any meaning for this provider.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Answered my own question.

Damn im clever  ;D
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: RejZoR on October 23, 2004, 07:31:40 PM
I have replaced server.def with old one after installing 4.5. Is this ok for VPS or not. Last time i was testing BETA,i was unable to update VPS.
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: bob3160 on October 23, 2004, 07:37:07 PM
Thanks to all at Alwil. I've spent my $39.95 and it is worth every penny of it.
You can add me to the happy ;D ;D avast! Pro users group.
Vlk:
Your instillation instructions where flawless. I didn't even have to play with the e-mail settings.
Great Job and well worth the wait.
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: RejZoR on October 23, 2004, 07:43:17 PM
Internet Mail protection for POP3 works without any problems.
It has completed every test i have thrown at avast! with very good results.
All GFI tests were detected heuristically,EICAR was detected with signatures and Vulnerability exploits were excluded because they were Outlook (Express) only related.
Also all inbound/outbound EICAR files were detected no matter how i recieved/sent them.

I'll test other parts too if possible :)
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: Vlk on October 23, 2004, 07:50:02 PM
RejZoR, it's not a good idea to put back the original servers.def. In fact I'd say it may cause updating problems.

The fact that you couldn't get latest VPS' with the previous beta releases was our fault. This time there should be no problems though...
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: RejZoR on October 23, 2004, 08:06:46 PM
Oh,thanks. I backed up the file just in case ;)

Is this a glitch or Skinless interface cannot be launched via ashSimpl.exe ?
Even if i check or uncheck the setting,it won't change. If i run through Start avast! Antivirus command on "a" ball it changes to skinless mode.

I'm also wondering why you don't add options to disable "a" ball spinning, VRDB database generation intervals rate changing,ability to adjust how many lines to show for "Show detailed info on performed action", also option to disable update popup/error popup (and leave only sounds that virus database has been updated). I belive this shouldn't take too much time and resources to impliment. I know its available via my tweaker and Technicals descriptions,but many users want to see this in program itself.
Think about it ;)
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: conazus on October 23, 2004, 08:13:18 PM
Oh,thanks. I backed up the file just in case ;)

Is this a glitch or Skinless interface cannot be launched via ashSimpl.exe ?
Even if i check or uncheck the setting,it won't change. If i run through Start avast! Antivirus command on "a" ball it changes to skinless mode.

 

If I click on the "a" ball and then Start avast Antivirus I dont get skinlees mode  ???  I get the skin I was using before I did the update.. hmm

there is a ashSimpll2.exe in the folder now..   i get skinless if i click on that
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: Vlk on October 23, 2004, 08:14:23 PM
Quote
Is this a glitch or Skinless interface cannot be launched via ashSimpl.exe ? Even if i check or uncheck the setting,it won't change. If i run through Start avast! Antivirus command on "a" ball it changes to skinless mode.

:) ashSimpl.exe is the skinned interface. ashSimp2.exe is the skinless. It's as simple as that.
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: RejZoR on October 23, 2004, 08:15:51 PM
Haha, i haven't seen the second one :) Ok this explains everything :)
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: conazus on October 23, 2004, 08:16:50 PM
Haha, i haven't seen the second one :) Ok this explains everything :)

lol  I only saw it cuz after reading your note I tried what you did and didnt get the same result as you... so I looked in my Avast folder and saw the second one and gave it a shot  lol
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: Lisandro on October 23, 2004, 08:20:02 PM
Is this a glitch or Skinless interface cannot be launched via ashSimpl.exe ?
Even if i check or uncheck the setting,it won't change. If i run through Start avast! Antivirus command on "a" ball it changes to skinless mode.

The same here  :'(

I'm also wondering why you don't add options to disable "a" ball spinning, VRDB database generation intervals rate changing,ability to adjust how many lines to show for "Show detailed info on performed action", also option to disable update popup/error popup (and leave only sounds that virus database has been updated). I belive this shouldn't take too much time and resources to impliment. I know its available via my tweaker and Technicals descriptions, but many users want to see this in program itself.
Think about it ;)

I follow this... Maybe the paradise will be all the options into an Advanced tab of settings. Oh, at that time, my thread will be useless  :'(

If I click on the "a" ball and then Start avast Antivirus I dont get skinlees mode  ???  I get the skin I was using before I did the update.. hmm

Me too...

There is a ashSimpll2.exe in the folder now..   i get skinless if i click on that

You discovered the solution  8)
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: marcthin on October 23, 2004, 08:20:10 PM
I have a strance error. I copied the file in to the setup folder. But the update is not working ::)

the file I copies is a text file named "servers.def.txt".

What is wrong? ???
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: RejZoR on October 23, 2004, 08:21:31 PM
Hehe and my AEC too ;) But nothing to worry about,in that case avast! would be even better :)
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: RejZoR on October 23, 2004, 08:22:24 PM
I have a strance error. I copied the file in to the setup folder. But the update is not working ::)

the file I copies is a text file named "servers.def.txt".

What is wrong? ???

It MUST be servers.def and NOT servers.def.txt.
Change the extension.
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: pask on October 23, 2004, 08:22:58 PM
I have a strance error. I copied the file in to the setup folder. But the update is not working ::)

the file I copies is a text file named "servers.def.txt".

What is wrong? ???
erase the ".txt" from the name of the file  ;)

Oooops...  posted at same time  ;D
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: drahnier on October 23, 2004, 09:12:53 PM
Painless install.

I especially like the skin-free interface and the "simplified" mail scanner.

Would like to see some more technical explanation about the "Network Shield".
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: zsotohu on October 23, 2004, 09:57:20 PM
downloading instantly! thanx alwil team.  :D ;)
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: S.Z.Craftec on October 23, 2004, 10:07:18 PM
So many people are thrilled with "skinless" feature... that's strange... if Alwil made skinless antivirus program in the first place, I'm 100% sure, everybody would complain because there is no GUI, or GUI is too simple, or avast! is too ugly... now, when they have so many skins to choose between, no one is happy with skins...   ???  :'(  :'(

It looks like all those hours designing skins were just one huge waste of time...  right ? :-\

I updated avast! to 4.5 without any single problem. It works wonderful so far... if I find something I'll report as many other happy users...

Cheers !
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: RejZoR on October 23, 2004, 10:10:22 PM
Yeah,its hard to belive its beta. Works so good :)
Btw i'm still using skins :) And i like the new Silver skin too.
Similar to Blue Panel,but different.

Btw there was one positive comment about skinless GUI on Wilders Forums. Thats a good start :)
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: igor on October 23, 2004, 10:11:54 PM
Sasha, the skinless interface certainly isn't meant as "dispraise" of your skins!
The fact is that some people really need it (e.g. blind or otherwise disabled people who need to control the program with the keyboard through special programs that require standard windows interface).
I.e. it's not supposed to be used very often... but it's nice to have the option.
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: GYL on October 23, 2004, 10:14:18 PM
Hi!i've installed home avast! 4.5 in french .xp pro outlook.all is ok!bye
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: S.Z.Craftec on October 23, 2004, 10:22:39 PM
I didn't mean MY SKINS... I thought of skins in general... Martin made huge number of skins, RejZor made one... also, Darren...

It's not about me... and it's not about Alwil made this skinless feature just to "dispraise" someone's skins... it's about all those users who are never satisfied. If you leave them with skinless antivirus for few months without an option to choose between skins, I'm sure they will complain that avast! is too boring... I know that. If you give them 4 good skins, they will ask for more... always... If you make 16 different, all kind of  skins, they will say, avast! is not serious security program... it's child play... too many colorful skins, it's like circus. I know what I'm talking about, just take a look at all those comments on other forums... for example, Wilders. Vlk had to explain to one guy that he can not jujdge antivirus program by it's design... that guy said that avast! is not serious program just because he hates avast! spinning icon in system tray... I wouldn't even listen those comments...

Cheers !
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: ianb on October 23, 2004, 10:27:18 PM
Worth the wait.  :)

XP SP2 - Installation a breeze.  Tested email at http://www.gfi.com/emailsecuritytest/
and as RejZoR said caught everything - VERY IMPRESSED.

Thanks guys.

BTW - I like the spinning icon despite what others say.
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: RejZoR on October 23, 2004, 10:31:45 PM
Yeah i like spinning "a" ball too,but it was drawing too much attention,so i was hanging on On-Access scanner panel half of my time watching File count number change hehe ;D
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: S.Z.Craftec on October 23, 2004, 10:38:28 PM
"WAS" ? It still draws too much attention, but I don't see anything wrong with spinning icon... why would it bother anyone anyway ? Maybe some people have thin nerves, who knows...  ;D

Although, I'm thinking, it would be great to change that spinning ball into something like triangle... it looks much more stable, and also, some change would be great after transfer from 4.1 to 4.5...
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: Eddy on October 23, 2004, 10:42:29 PM
Quote
Yeah i like spinning "a" ball too,but it was drawing too much attention
HINT: Hide the taskbar ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: RejZoR on October 23, 2004, 10:42:30 PM
"was" because i disabled spinning via AEC :) I need to do other things too, not just counting files hehe. But its nice to see you're protected while its spinning :)
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: .: Mac :. on October 23, 2004, 10:47:34 PM
Rejzor when will AEC 1.6 (avast 4.5 compatible) be released?
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: RejZoR on October 23, 2004, 11:01:11 PM
Hard to say. I checked some tweaks in Technicals thread and i can't find them physicaly in avast! 4.5 beta. Some are covered now. But i'll have to fix/change some minor things.
iAVS/VRDB intervals work ok,also general tweaker and tag number tweak too.
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: RejZoR on October 23, 2004, 11:10:49 PM
Is there any specific rule on how recommendations are given?
avast! probably checks if the file is in VRDB and then recommends Repair function right? Looks nice addition for all those who don't know much about viruses :)
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: igor on October 24, 2004, 12:01:37 AM
Right now, the recommendation is given according to the virus type and source it came from (file, mail, ...)
So, VRDB is not consulted before the Virus Dialog is shown. I'm still considering changing it... of course, the results would be better and the users will be less confused if the Repair button was shown really only when the file has a VRDB record. The problem (in my opinion) is that initialization of VRDB may take some time (seconds) - so the Virus Dialog would be delayed...
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: rdsu on October 24, 2004, 12:41:20 AM
I'm also wondering why you don't add options to disable "a" ball spinning, VRDB database generation intervals rate changing,ability to adjust how many lines to show for "Show detailed info on performed action", also option to disable update popup/error popup (and leave only sounds that virus database has been updated). I belive this shouldn't take too much time and resources to impliment. I know its available via my tweaker and Technicals descriptions,but many users want to see this in program itself.
Think about it ;)
I want this!  ;D
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: rdsu on October 24, 2004, 02:06:32 AM
It's possible to add support for the instant messenger program:

Easy Message Express (http://www.easymessage.net)

The ultra-lite instant messenger for MSN, AOL, ICQ, and Yahoo.

- Unlimited instant messaging on MSN, AOL, ICQ, and Yahoo.
- The smallest instant messenger with a download size of 240K.
- Get the fastest connections without using excessive system resources.

Thanks
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: rdsu on October 24, 2004, 02:19:03 AM
It seems that when I'm watching my email through Thunderbird, the avast! have some picks of CPU when I'm changing the message to view...

Is this normal?
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: Vlk on October 24, 2004, 08:29:42 AM
CPU peaks while browsing email?

Hardly anything to do with the mail scanner (as it scans the mail on trasport level).

BTW is the avast tray icon spinning while you have the CPU peaks? Can you identify the process that's taking up the CPU? Has this been happening prior to updating to the 4.5 beta?


Thanks
Vlk
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: GYL on October 24, 2004, 08:48:12 AM
Avast home 4.5 is always ok with my pc  xp pro sp1,outlook,a little problem for scan complet ,i'm trying again.za pro doesn't recognize it
ps: only in meticulous scan the others and bootscan are ok!
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: GYL on October 24, 2004, 09:50:23 AM
Meticulous scan results with 4.5:
files size: 10.9gb
scan length: 70 minutes
But the most surprising is:
 70% files scanned more than avast 4.18,with same scan level;30 minutes more.
scan result ok
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: RJ on October 24, 2004, 10:07:21 AM
Love it, installed, no probs.  First time I have download a piece of software that I haven't wanted to skin, love the look.  
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: Timo Schmidt on October 24, 2004, 11:36:55 AM
Kickarse Antivirus-Prog. :)

After replacing avast! 4.1 with Kaspersky Antivirus Personal 5 (buyed it for 39 €!) I thought "give the 4.5 Version of AVAST! a try" (the worm-blocker seems to be a nice addon for 4.5 :) ).

So I uninstalled Kaspersky and installed Avast 4.5 beta:

WOW - I was realy impressed. First I made a complete scan of my Harddisks and avast! found 2 Trojans (Trojano...) which KAV didn't find. And the Overall Systemspeed is much better with avast! (dont know if this was the case with 4.1 coz I used KAV for some month now :D) despite of it's use of RAM (Kaspersy used only the half amount of RAM of AVAST). Video-Files open faster, loading times are much faster, even my scores in some benchmarks went up (I think AVAST hast a lower CPU-Usage than KAV).

And then therer are the many many configuration possibilities of the GUARD (the e-Mail guard for example is awesome) which weren't there with KAV :)

To sum it up:

A free antivirus prog isn't always worse than a expensive antivirus-prog.

---> Guys - add me to the list of satisfied AVAST! user again :D ;)


2 questions:

- Can I use RejZor's /Craftec's Sharp-Skin with this release (it's the only skin besides "skinless" I realy love - it should belong to the standard skins)?

- When will beta-releases supported with new definition-updates? I think if you want someone to be beta-tester for alwil it is recommended that these user get the same update-support than user of normal releases (if this isn't the case it would be very dangerous to be beta-tester for you - not only because there might be bugs in the beta releases :D ;) )


Keep up the good work!

Timo
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: Eddy on October 24, 2004, 11:49:21 AM
Quote
First I made a complete scan of my Harddisks and avast! found 2 Trojans (Trojano...) which KAV didn't find
No av apllication can/will find everything. There are also thing kav finds and Avast not.

Quote
Kaspersy used only the half amount of RAM of AVAST)
If you got the ram info from the taskmanager, forget it. That is not showing the correct amount as explained in another thread on this board.

Quote
And then therer are the many many configuration possibilities of the GUARD
You should see the options in the Pro version !

Quote
Can I use RejZor's /Craftec's Sharp-Skin with this release
Ofcourse you can use the skins if you want.

Quote
When will beta-releases supported with new definition-updates?
vps updates are already supported, even in the beta version. What would make you think they are not? This is after all AVAST ;D
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: radicalb21 on October 24, 2004, 11:52:00 AM
Hey Timo,
It's radicalb21. To answer your first questions about the skins I'm using the skin you are talking about with no problems. To answer your second question VLK wrote the following:

"This time there should be no problems though..."

I hope this helps.
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: rdsu on October 24, 2004, 01:37:09 PM
CPU peaks while browsing email?

Hardly anything to do with the mail scanner (as it scans the mail on trasport level).

BTW is the avast tray icon spinning while you have the CPU peaks? Can you identify the process that's taking up the CPU? Has this been happening prior to updating to the 4.5 beta?


Thanks
Vlk

This only happen when I read the new mail. The mail that are marked as already read doesn't happen nothing.
I've set the "Standard Shield" to scan all the created/modified files, so I think that is this, because when I read the new mail, the process "ashServ.exe" takes about +/-30MB of CPU and the last scanned file in "Standard Shiled" is the file of where the mail is...

I didn't know if this happen with the previous version...
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: Timo Schmidt on October 24, 2004, 01:54:13 PM
Hey Timo,
It's radicalb21. To answer your first questions about the skins I'm using the skin you are talking about with no problems. To answer your second question VLK wrote the following:

"This time there should be no problems though..."

I hope this helps.

This helps very much - thx :)

I only asked for beta-vps-updates because in one AVAST 4.1 beta-build (think it was a newer build for french-translation) I never got definition-updates from your server :(


Greetings

Timo
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: RejZoR on October 24, 2004, 02:03:47 PM
Yeah Vlk said they made a mistake that time. With this beta it will be ok.
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: Eddy on October 24, 2004, 02:11:11 PM
I don't see Avast 4.5 Beta on the beta page on the website ???
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: S.Z.Craftec on October 24, 2004, 02:20:02 PM
Love it, installed, no probs.  First time I have download a piece of software that I haven't wanted to skin, love the look.  

Hehe, you could always buy avast! Pro version, and you wouldn't be bothered with skins...  ;)
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: Negeltu on October 24, 2004, 03:02:29 PM
He's not bothered with skins now... :-D
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: S.Z.Craftec on October 24, 2004, 03:14:15 PM
Me neither... I erased them all from my hard drive. I hate them from the guts. If I see the guy who made them, I'll cut his... hmmm... hand...  ;D

Btw, I just made new skin for avast! It's called "INVISIBLE GUI". It's so invisible, that you can not find it on the skins download section. To be true, I couldn't find it myself... I just have to find a way how to start avast! after enabling this skin...  ;D  ;D  ;D
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: Baba on October 24, 2004, 03:50:42 PM
Downloaded the Home-Beta and installed now on the Italian language set up.
Everything seems to work properly.

Installed on XPPro SP2-ZAPro-SpySweeper-SpywareBlaster-SpywareGuard-IESpyad-SpybotS&D-
Ad-AwareSE-CCleaner-NortonSystemWorksPro-
A-squarred2-MRUBlaster-XPAntispy-RegSeeker-

The only things I notice 1 more Provider (Network Protection) and the deletion of E-Mail Wizard.

I'm going to install Thunderbird 8 and try the mail protection on this client because with last version I was not able to make it working whit.

Any other things I miss in new version?
Tell me, please.

Greetings from Italy
                                                                 Baba
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: Lisandro on October 24, 2004, 11:16:53 PM
Well, I wouldn't call it a danger, but theoretically, some problems may occur in specific parts of the program. I hope the beta will be updated soon to a newer version.

Igor, I sent you two corrections in the Portuguese interface. Hope they could be useful. Other errors related here: http://forum.avast.com/index.php?board=11;action=display;threadid=8072
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: Lisandro on October 24, 2004, 11:35:52 PM
I didn't mean MY SKINS... I thought of skins in general... Martin made huge number of skins, RejZor made one... also, Darren...

Thank you all that made that skins. Really wonderful ones.

It's not about me... and it's not about Alwil made this skinless feature just to "dispraise" someone's skins... it's about all those users who are never satisfied. If you leave them with skinless antivirus for few months without an option to choose between skins, I'm sure they will complain that avast! is too boring... I know that. If you give them 4 good skins, they will ask for more... always... If you make 16 different, all kind of  skins, they will say, avast! is not serious security program... it's child play... too many colorful skins, it's like circus. I know what I'm talking about, just take a look at all those comments on other forums... for example, Wilders. Vlk had to explain to one guy that he can not jujdge antivirus program by it's design... that guy said that avast! is not serious program just because he hates avast! spinning icon in system tray... I wouldn't even listen those comments... Cheers !

To Alwil team: I can't believe you made this for free  ;D Users are always complaining and you did it for free...  8) Anyway, Sasha, you won't have all kinds of people pleased at the same time... Human nature  ::)

About the professionalist and effectiveness of an application by it's GUI, well, no comments  :P
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: Lisandro on October 24, 2004, 11:39:36 PM
Would like to see some more technical explanation about the "Network Shield".

It will be on the help file I suppose:

New resident provider: Network Shield. It protects the computer from the attacks of Internet worms (e.g. Blaster, Sasser, etc.). It will show warning messages in the system area (above the system clock) every time it detects an Internet worm attack. There is a logging feature too: all attacks will be recorded into a log file so that you can inspect their history, frequency, etc. The last detected attacks will be displayed on the Last attacks page.

Network Shield provider will protect your computer from Internet worm attacks. It works similarly to a firewall, even though it does not fully substitutes it. The Network Shield does not require any user interraction. Note: This resident provider will be available on Windows NT, 2000, XP, and 2003 only.
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: nadirah on October 25, 2004, 02:12:19 PM
I like to know about whether heuristics will be included in the new version. I wish to see heuristics in every part of the program. Heuristics will enable avast to catch more unknown viruses.
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: igor on October 25, 2004, 02:27:12 PM
No, it won't, for two reasons:

First, catching "unknown viruses" also means having a lot of false alarms.
Second, programming a reasonably working heuristics takes some time - so don't expect this part of avast! to change any time soon (if ever).
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: RejZoR on October 25, 2004, 02:37:33 PM
You mean it won't have heuristics in v5.0? Signature only detection isn't the key to success i belive. Detection does rely hevaily on signatures,but many antiviruses increase their detection rate 5-10% with heuristics.
Heuristics in avast! mail scanner are done quiet well and i belive some parts could be used in Standard Shield too. Even the most basic thing can be better than nothing. Also detecting large number of packers used for the same file (i saw some file packed with 3 or even 5 packers,thats very unusual for a clean file). Also UPX packed executables can be checked if packer is modified or not (i saw this method in some freware GUI based UPX packer/unpacker program).
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: igor on October 25, 2004, 03:05:14 PM
Well, I didn't mean 5.0, that's way ahead. I was referring to 4.5.
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: RejZoR on October 25, 2004, 03:07:06 PM
Oh,well that makes sense. Minor update is way too much for implimentation of heuristics.
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: Lisandro on October 25, 2004, 04:44:56 PM
The new skin is great!

 :'( It's not yet on the web page for download (http://www.avast.com/eng/download/skins/index.html)
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: Lisandro on October 25, 2004, 04:46:58 PM
BTW - I like the spinning icon despite what others say.

About the others, they can always change the avast4.ini file to stop this behavior that they don't like. Users must stop blaming avast! Learn it first  8)
See Settings on my signature for more configurations  ;)
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: RejZoR on October 25, 2004, 04:49:54 PM
Well it could be implimented into Settings,but sure it can be changed via my tweaker or manually via Technicals tutorial for understanding avast4.ini file.
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: Lisandro on October 25, 2004, 04:51:52 PM
RejZor, do you know anything about the LeDoc's tweaker...
He disappered from forums  :-\
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: RejZoR on October 25, 2004, 04:54:40 PM
Nope,haven't seen him for a very long time.
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: GYL on October 25, 2004, 05:12:18 PM
Avast has been classed 16th about 21 av  for his reactivity against new malvolents codes(by AV-TEST IN Germany)so,i think that heuristics would not be useless for avast!
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: bob3160 on October 25, 2004, 05:16:04 PM
RejZoR and Technical
Quote
RejZor, do you know anything about the LeDoc's tweaker...
He disappered from forums  
I think the only way we'll ever see that if the 2 of you tackel that job. ;D
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: Lisandro on October 25, 2004, 05:41:37 PM
RejZoR and Technical
Quote
RejZor, do you know anything about the LeDoc's tweaker...
He disappered from forums
I think the only way we'll ever see that if the 2 of you tackel that job. ;D

Sorry Bob. I'm not a programmer. I don't know how to code nothing  8)
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: Lisandro on October 25, 2004, 05:43:30 PM
Avast has been classed 16th about 21 av  for his reactivity against new malvolents codes(by AV-TEST IN Germany)so,i think that heuristics would not be useless for avast!

Discussed a lot of times:
Do the others antivirus programs have fast updates?
Have the configuration set to high?
etc. etc.
Reaction time of avast was - in many tests - better than much other called big.
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: igor on October 25, 2004, 05:43:47 PM
Btw, Technical, avast! 4.5 should also have a better display of accented characters inside the Simple User Interface skins (at least for the non-default skins, such as e.g. the Sasha's ones). Is the tiny glitch you reported some time ago OK now? :)
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: Vlk on October 25, 2004, 05:47:24 PM
A new version is now released. It should fix all known issues so far.
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: RejZoR on October 25, 2004, 05:55:42 PM
Just updated :)
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: radicalb21 on October 25, 2004, 06:20:54 PM
I have also updated. Didn't have much time to test the last one but will put this one through the paces.
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: Lisandro on October 25, 2004, 07:22:01 PM
Btw, Technical, avast! 4.5 should also have a better display of accented characters inside the Simple User Interface skins (at least for the non-default skins, such as e.g. the Sasha's ones). Is the tiny glitch you reported some time ago OK now? :)

Yes, they're corrected.
I found no problems with accented characters in the skin... If I found any I'll report.
Glitch reported by RejZor solved too. You're being fast but I did not notice the update  ::)
I mean, no boot required and I thought I just update the VPS (although the automatic program update is on)...  ::)
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: S.Z.Craftec on October 25, 2004, 11:09:47 PM
Strange, I haven't noticed it either... I don't know if my automatic update works, but I'm 100% sure it's enabled for both, IAVS and Program update ... I've read Vlk's announcement that new version is out and I went to update manually...

Cheers !
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: bob3160 on October 26, 2004, 03:21:24 AM
Same here. Can't recall getting any notice at all since I've upgraded to 4.5 and, there was no reminder about the program update. Like you Technical, I was led to it by Vlk's announcement in the forum.
Have there been any other updates today????
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: Lisandro on October 26, 2004, 03:29:00 AM
Strange, I haven't noticed it either... I don't know if my automatic update works, but I'm 100% sure it's enabled for both, IAVS and Program update ... I've read Vlk's announcement that new version is out and I went to update manually...
Cheers !

I could happen few time after the system check... remember you must wait 4 hours to a new check. But it was not a push update, at least, I did not receive the email.
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: S.Z.Craftec on October 26, 2004, 03:46:50 AM
Yeah, probably that expalins it all... no I haven't received any e-mail notification either...
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: bob3160 on October 26, 2004, 03:48:29 AM
Technical:
Quote
But it was not a push update, at least, I did not receive the email.
How do I activate that?
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: Negeltu on October 26, 2004, 03:51:22 AM
I received it automatically after reboot.
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: Lisandro on October 26, 2004, 03:59:30 AM
Technical:
Quote
But it was not a push update, at least, I did not receive the email.
How do I activate that?

I did long time ago... I quite do not remember what I did  ;D
Start avast > Settings > Update (Basic) > Details > Push iAVS > Register

More information: http://www.avast.com/eng/viruses/subscription_service/vps_iavs_services/subscription_service.html
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: Lisandro on October 26, 2004, 04:03:09 AM
Yeah, probably that expalins it all... no I haven't received any e-mail notification either...

Probably it's only for VPS and not the program updates
See http://www.avast.com/eng/viruses/subscription_service/vps_iavs_services/subscription_service.html

Other possibility, they could not send a push update for the 4.1 users and they can't divide the database of users into the 4.1 and 4.5 beta testers...
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: bob3160 on October 26, 2004, 04:44:09 AM
In this case, I don't feel like a Beta tester. I feel more like a happy avast! Pro user who got a program update early. Avast! 4.5 has been working flawlessly on my system. ;D ;D
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: galen on October 28, 2004, 05:10:20 PM
Hi all,

Here we go. The long-awaited beta version of avast! 4.5 is here!

It was great for a while. I downloaded the 4.5 beta and it fixed the problem with Avast! not stamping the mail with the "clean" messages. It took me a while to work out that it no longer used non-standard ports and odd strings in the user name - but it was spot on once I'd sorted it.

A few minutes ago an automatic program update came in , and  wrecked it all again. There was a red error message flashed up (too quickly to read) in the corner, and Avast won't stamp the "clean"messages in any mail at all now ! Can I get back to the last version?
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: S.Z.Craftec on October 28, 2004, 05:32:03 PM
New update ? Do you mean build 4.5.498 by that ? It's working great here, without any problem... actually, they solved all those glitches we reported to them... that's our Alwil team, and that's why we love them.

Anyway, where came that read error from ? Reading what ?

One thing always helps...
Uninstall avast! completely and reinstall it from the scratch. It will solve those problems...
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: galen on October 28, 2004, 05:54:26 PM
New update ? Do you mean build 4.5.498 by that ? It's working great here, without any problem... actually, they solved all those glitches we reported to them... that's our Alwil team, and that's why we love them.

Anyway, where came that read error from ? Reading what ?

One thing always helps...
Uninstall avast! completely and reinstall it from the scratch. It will solve those problems...

Yes that was the build number.  I  think I've fixed the problem - hopefully permanently. it wasn't that the update was faulty, but it, or the process of updating,  lost the existing settings.  I tried several things, and in the end the one that restored the stamping was to un-tick absolutely everything in the setting and close the screen down - which presumably saves the settings again? Anyway, that's what fixed it, and the "clean" messages are adding again.

In fixing that, I have found another bug though, and it may be that it was the explanation for the fact that I couldn't get  the messages to "stamp" in the earlier versions. If  I sign a message with my X.509 certificate it prevents the "stamping" taking place. As I used to have the signature permanently on - that may explain why Avast! never added the messages. I've have repeated the proceedure several times - and it happens every time I sign the messages. Since many users will use X.509 certs, that definitely needs fixing.
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: S.Z.Craftec on October 28, 2004, 06:01:17 PM
You're probably right... report that to Alwil team, and I'm sure they will fix it...  I'm not 100% sure, but my father also was unable to see avast! stamps when he used signatures in his Outlook Express. He still uses Win 98 SE. Is this in any case somehow related to your example ?

P.S. I'm glad you fixed your first problem...
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: SirHarrySmith on October 28, 2004, 08:30:33 PM
Have just changed to 4.5 Beta. No problems re installation.
seems to be running quicker.

The main thing is that I am now able to run Firetrust Benign again to check mail - which I couldn't do with 4.1

An excellent product -- which I only found because a friend had problems with AVG 6 on a recent upgrade. Uninstalling AVG and installing avast and the problem was gone.

Will be recommending avast in future

John
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: galen on October 29, 2004, 12:13:57 PM
You're probably right... report that to Alwil team, and I'm sure they will fix it...  I'm not 100% sure, but my father also was unable to see avast! stamps when he used signatures in his Outlook Express. He still uses Win 98 SE. Is this in any case somehow related to your example ?

P.S. I'm glad you fixed your first problem...

It would seem exactly the same as your father's problem. I've repeated the procedure several times on two different machines, and signing the message with an X.509 stops the stamps every time. I'll have to have a look into how the certificates are added to the messages - I'm not very technical, so it may be too much for me. However, X.509 signing also breaks Newshound - another program I use - so it would appear that it's something that gets missed by programmers quite often. I assume that the Alwil team will read this, but should I notify them direct. do you think?
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: S.Z.Craftec on October 29, 2004, 12:28:40 PM
Yeah, just point Pavel's, Vlk's, Igor's or Lukor's attention to this thread, although I'm sure they already saw this one... they are so good, just wait a little bit... you'll see... there is too much requests in the same time, they are not ETs  ;D, so we have to give'em some time...

Don't worry, everything is under control...

Have a nice day !
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: lukor on October 29, 2004, 01:03:28 PM
Galen, isn't signing supposed to verify the authenticity of your message? And that means that the recipient might be sure that it was YOU who wrote it and that no one modified it on it's way - and unfortunately 'no one' also excludes avast!  :(

Wouldn't adding the 'clean stamp' break your signature?

Bye
Lukas.
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: bhtooefr on October 31, 2004, 02:26:37 PM
I must say that I've wanted a skinless interface for a while now. See, I like low resource stuff, and stuff that follows Windows UI guidelines. I've disabled themes.exe on my system to get the resources down (and it's got enough horsepower to handle it - themes.exe isn't necessary for anything, though, so I disable it). I REALLY like the new skinless Avast, but one thing I'd like to see - I'd like everything accessible from the main form without touching menus, like it is in the default skin. Also, I'd like to be able to select the skinless UI as a skin, so that I can use it by default.

Sasha, the skinless interface certainly isn't meant as "dispraise" of your skins!
The fact is that some people really need it (e.g. blind or otherwise disabled people who need to control the program with the keyboard through special programs that require standard windows interface).
I.e. it's not supposed to be used very often... but it's nice to have the option.
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: Lisandro on October 31, 2004, 04:38:21 PM
I REALLY like the new skinless Avast, but one thing I'd like to see - I'd like everything accessible from the main form without touching menus, like it is in the default skin.

Well, all options can't fit in just one window. There is no space... We need menus or, at least, a skinless version with several tabs of options  :-\
If we take more, we won't have even a program running...  :P

Also, I'd like to be able to select the skinless UI as a skin, so that I can use it by default.

If you select the 'skinless' option on the Common page it will be your default option and no skins will be used when you start avast.
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: S.Z.Craftec on October 31, 2004, 05:04:31 PM
Hehe, why don't we just go back to DOS  ::)

Cutting all those things in Windows and saying that they just take system resources, is like saying "DOS rulez". Well, we all migrated from DOS to some OS with GUI, just because of the fact that it's much easier to work if you have good looking and useful shell (GUI)... Well, of course you can't run Windows XP on some 386 or 486 computer, and of course some faster and better computer is required as well as enough RAM memory...

If you have at least 256 (512 Mb recommended) and one of those newer computers, you are OK. There is really no need to disable UXTHEME.dll.

As Technical said, there is no chance to put all those options on only one screen... impossible... unless we use tabs. If we use tabs, it's same as you have menues... so, where is the point ?

So many people is happy because of the skins, some of them are not too happy (it's always like that and it will be)... but I learned with the time, I should always listen those who are happy, and I'm doing that. Best of all, I always listen those who have some complains... as soon as I am aware of some skin issue, I fix it immediately. As a proof, take a look in this thread:

http://forum.avast.com/index.php?board=11;action=display;threadid=8219;start=30 (http://forum.avast.com/index.php?board=11;action=display;threadid=8219;start=30)

Bottom line, Alwil made greatest move in avast! skin history... they made skinless option. Having skinless UI as a skin is not possible. One word shuts off another one... but, you can always choose your avast! to start in skinless mode. I guess everyone should be happy now !

Cheers !

Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: Lisandro on October 31, 2004, 06:31:08 PM
Hehe, why don't we just go back to DOS  ::)

NO, please  :(

I guess everyone should be happy now !

Let us, the skin lovers,  in peace!
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: S.Z.Craftec on October 31, 2004, 06:49:26 PM
Well, Technical... would you like to see skin like this ?  ;D  ;D  ;D
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: Lisandro on October 31, 2004, 08:26:10 PM
Well, Technical... would you like to see skin like this ?  ;D  ;D  ;D

No, I want even less. Do you remember of my ask about a 'minimalist' skin?
I don't want even the panel  ;)
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: S.Z.Craftec on October 31, 2004, 08:43:46 PM
Well, I'll give you minimalistic skin... here it is (see attachment):


Note: If someone can't see attachment, that's just because skin is so  minimalistic that it's not possible to see it even under microscope...  ;)  ;D
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: RejZoR on October 31, 2004, 10:24:57 PM
Hm,Sasha i think that Status info filed could be made as a dropdown menu or something. It can be resized and you can create a button to show it,or on mouse pass. Its a bit more work to create those scripts,but end effect could be very interesting :)
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: Lisandro on October 31, 2004, 10:49:26 PM
Hm,Sasha i think that Status info filed could be made as a dropdown menu or something. It can be resized and you can create a button to show it,or on mouse pass. Its a bit more work to create those scripts,but end effect could be very interesting :)

I asked for this a lot of times...
Sasha and Martin said this is impossible now  :'(
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: S.Z.Craftec on October 31, 2004, 10:59:17 PM
Well, I dont know and believe me I don't wanna try to spend another 15 hours thinking of way how to do it... too much work for nothing, well it'sa not "nothing", but still. I'm sure so many users would complain regarding "hidden" display area. I made those sliding panels wisible in "waiting" mode once, and everybody jumped on me, why I didn't hide them as in all other skins. I'm talking about Black Liquid skin. I just wanted to make something different, and no one approved that...

Anyway, display area in skin is most important area where we can see all those information. Why would anyone want to hide that area ? I am not aware of any other antivirus program that has something similar...

RejZor - I don't know, but I think there is no chance to mix animated area with display widow area... I could be wrong, but unfortunatelly, I don't have enough time to play with it... my regular job is here every single day, so it could be tricky...  :o

Cheers !
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: Lisandro on November 01, 2004, 12:27:20 AM
Why would anyone want to hide that area ? I am not aware of any other antivirus program that has something similar...

While scanning I'll love to hide that area, for instance  8)
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: S.Z.Craftec on November 01, 2004, 12:44:48 AM
OK, why would you like to hide it ? Isn't much easier to minimize whole skin ?  ;)
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: Lisandro on November 01, 2004, 01:45:24 AM
OK, why would you like to hide it ? Isn't much easier to minimize whole skin ?  ;)

You know, better than I, that minimize is not the same as a little skin. The ability to be small is much more difficult than just be at the bottom of the screen  8)
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: landsker on November 06, 2004, 10:33:17 PM
Hmm - dummy mode on here!
In the instructions one has to put the html file saved into the Avast set up folder, Is this the same as the program folder, as I cannot see any file which the new one will overwrite!
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: landsker on November 06, 2004, 10:48:47 PM
Aha! Dummy mode off. Found it and updated to 4.5 OK
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: S.Z.Craftec on November 07, 2004, 12:42:05 AM
Little correction:

Quote
Found it and updated to 4.5 OK

Found it and updated to 4.5 Beta (still test version)  ;)

Cheers !
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: Chuck58 on November 08, 2004, 05:14:59 AM
I'm kind of disappointed. I switched to the beta as soon as I heard about, kept it updated (currently 505) and have no problems to report. Everything has worked perfectly. I have XP Home SP2, 1.3G AMD, 512RAM, with Prevx Free edition also running and Sygate Pro firewall.

I've never run a beta program before that didn't have at least something wrong. Excellent work AVAST Team.
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: Vlk on November 09, 2004, 04:07:39 PM
Chuck58, I greatly apologize for the problems (or lack of them) :)


BTW a fresh build - 4.5.512 - is now out. It contains some improvements (e.g. an attempt to solve the cosmetic skin / context menu issues). Also, Turkish language modules have been added.

Please feel free to update your installations to it and let us know if there're any problems.

Thanks
Vlk
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: rosso_acido on November 09, 2004, 07:14:32 PM
Just got the 4.5.512 build. So far, no problems that I can see.  8)

R. :)
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: S.Z.Craftec on November 09, 2004, 07:35:27 PM
So Vlk, does that mean that you don't want me to send you all those skins I "fixed" ?

At least, can I send you few skins made by me, because I found some little minor cosmetic issues, of course I fixed them all, and I would like if you can upload those versions to avast! skins download section (if possible). Also, it would be great if you can put some note next to skins... something like "version 2" or something...

Thanks in advance for your respond !
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: galen on November 12, 2004, 04:03:07 PM
Galen, isn't signing supposed to verify the authenticity of your message? And that means that the recipient might be sure that it was YOU who wrote it and that no one modified it on it's way - and unfortunately 'no one' also excludes avast!  :(

Wouldn't adding the 'clean stamp' break your signature?

Bye
Lukas.

Nope - stamping takes place last after the message has been signed - so it shouldn't alter the verified text. PGP signing works just fine with AVAST - it's just X.509 that AVAST can't cope with for some reason. I'm not technical enough to know the difference between the two methods of signing, so that's the best i can tell you.

R

Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: El Tel on November 25, 2004, 05:55:21 AM
Greetings from Venezuela. I am a new user. I just dumped Trend antivirus for incompetent support, but I like what I see from the avast! team - especially the friendly forum. I would like to contribute the following information:

My system:
Win 98 SE
Pentium III - 1 Giga.
256 mb ram
DSL Internet connection
No other firewall/spyware/anti-virus programs installed (They were uninstalled) except WinPatrol.
avast! details:
Version 4.5 Build 4.5.531
Extreme toolkit version 1.9.4.0 (I don't know what this is yet).
Activeskin version 4.2.7.3
VPS File version 0448-0 Compiled 23/11/04

I have experienced the following problems:

Updating: Clicking on either of the "Updating" options produced a small download and installation event, even though the files are up-to-date.

Alerts. Individual tests give the message "Unknown Error - The alert cannot be sent". But "Test all" gives the message "The alert was successfully sent." Where? - I have yet to discover.
Can't edit anything in the alert window.

From Outlook Express I can send emails with No attachments. I cannot send emails With attachments. I attached a simple "test 2" text file. Despite de-activating "scan Outbound Mail", it WAS scanned, and stopped sending. I then get the server message (Translated from Spanish):
"The server terminated the connection unexpectedly. There may be a problem with the server, a network problem, or it may have been inactive for a long time. About 'test 2', Account: 'Terence', Server: '127.0.0.1', Protocol: SMTP, Port: 25, Security (SSL): No, Error number: 0x800CCC0F
There is nothing wrong with the server for any other application.
On-Access scanner control panel shows that the email was scanned under the "Internet Mail" heading.
I used the Mail Protection Wizard to configure (accept) my email accounts.

I CAN send mails with attachments from Outlook without problems. (BTW: Your "Plug-in module" splash window masks the Outlook splash window - Bill Gates might not like that.)
The email and attachment Were scanned despite deactivating the "outbound" scan.

I hope these comments help with development - I hope even more that my system is adequately protected! What, if any, other security software do you recommend to run concurrently with avast! (Freeware is good!)

Good luck with your project.



Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: Eddy on November 25, 2004, 06:04:29 AM
First of all, this forum will be closed soon. For problems/question etc, please use the Avast 4 forum next time.

Quote
Updating: Clicking on either of the "Updating" options produced a small download and installation event, even though the files are up-to-date.
That is not a problem, that is by design. Avast needs some info from the server before it can check if your version is up to date or not.

Quote
From Outlook Express I can send emails with No attachments.....
Increase the timeout in both OE and avast4.ini and see if it solves the problem

Quote
hat, if any, other security software do you recommend to run concurrently with avast!
A good firewall (ZoneAlarm, Outpost, Kerio)
Ad-Aware
Spybot s&d
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: El Tel on November 25, 2004, 06:27:30 AM
Thanks Eddy. You're FAST!
Increased the timeout with no improvement.
Sorry about the giant picture. I thought it would be re-sized automatically.
The other issues were:
Alert editing...
Outbound scanning was deactivated but still scans...
Thanks for the software advice. I have those progs, but uninstalled them in case they interfered with avast!.
Regards.
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: S.Z.Craftec on November 25, 2004, 11:48:54 AM
Welcome to forum Mister Frio,

Your picture is not resized automaticaly, so please change that into something smaller, let's say 100x100 pixels. As you can see, your posts are shifted to far right hand side of the screen and very difficult to read... especialy, for those who are still on 800x600 pixels. Believe it or not, there are many users, who can not afford better monitors and/or video cards, from all around the globe... You can always read forum policy (button is up there, very easy to find)...

Here is the quote from forum policy:

Quote
do not use large pictures in signatures or avatars (mind other users who might have weaker connection and smaller display resolution)

Thanks in advance !
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: Lisandro on November 25, 2004, 12:48:45 PM
Outbound scanning was deactivated but still scans...

Are you sure?
I think not. When deactivated the scanning should not run. You can be seeing the icon of 'inbound' mail.
If you send a message to yourself, do you see the note of 'outbound' mail in the message body?

Can you please resize your avatar? Thanks.  ;)
Oh, welcome to avast  8)
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: S.Z.Craftec on November 25, 2004, 01:16:22 PM
Here you can download same picture but resized to 100x66 pixels (proportional) and signed with your forum nickname (see attachment)... of course, if you want it... if not, just ignore it...

Cheers !
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: El Tel on November 25, 2004, 02:14:14 PM
My apologies to everyone. The oversized avatar has been removed. Thanks for the advice and help.
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA
Post by: S.Z.Craftec on November 25, 2004, 02:20:24 PM
No problem, I posted smaller avatar (same as yours but smaller) in my previous post, so if you wanna use it, you are free to do that...

Cheers !
Title: Re:INTRODUCING: avast! Home/Pro 4.5 BETA - Mail attachment problems
Post by: El Tel on November 25, 2004, 02:47:15 PM
Good morning from Venezuela.

Re: Problem sending mail with attachments in Outlook Express.
Test file is a simple one-line .txt file sent to myself at a separate account.
The transmission process just stops before completion. After server timeout is completed, I get the error message mentioned earlier. This problem doen not occur with Outlook (which I do not use for mail - although maybe I will have to).

Settings:

I have doubled all the Timeout settings as suggested earlier.

avast! On access scanner.
Outlook/Exchange tab.
Scanner.
Scan outbound messages deactivated.
Outbound Mail: Insert notes to clean (uninfected messages) deactivated.
Outbound Mail: Scan attachments when attaching deactivated.

Internet Mail tab.
SMTP tab.
Scan outbound mail deactivated.
Allow sending of infected mail deactivated.
Insert note into clean message deactivated.

The attachment is scanned when attached to the mail. It is not re-scanned at time of transmission (at least there is no blue notification strip).

I have noticed other members with the same problem, but cannot find a definitive solution.

Thanks for your interest. Have a great day.