OK....I may get blasted for this & I want to go on record I am NOT an expert, nor have any direct knowledge.
However, I'm a very techy person and have been reading this Forum daily since Avast9 came out....waiting/hoping for "me" to update from Avast8 across all PCs....just have one test PC running now.
Anyway, from my readings I understand that aswsnx.sys is the Avast Virtualization driver.
It is linked to Sandbox and one of the options that seems to have helped is to uninstall Sandbox feature.
For my two cents, everyone can determine for their own, I do a CUSTOM install and I've just enabled A/V shields....meaning I uncheck all other options.
I only use Avast as A/V with supplement of active shields from MBAM Pro.......both run nightly scans.
Thus, "for me", all these other features/programs....GrimeFighter, AOS ,etc. are of no use.
I only mention the above because it sounds like Avast is working out some of these items.
In the meantime, one option to see if it has effect/solve.
Go to Control Panel > Programs and Features
Select Avast
In the menu on the left select CHANGE
Remove the tick from Sandbox and then press continue.
On reboot you can decide, or not, to enable Avast hardened mode....if so....set to "aggressive" to replace the sandbox function.
So what you're saying is that you think it's the Sandbox causing the problem.
Avast, are you reading this? Can you not do something to correct the problem? After all, you are the experts.
Thanks thekochs. I'll try your suggestion.
Although I have to say that I like the idea of the Sandbox running, but not if it causes my laptop to crash when it feels like it.
What I am saying is I am no expert and do not know the inner workings of Avast....only Avast knows that.....so me stating what "is" or "is not" the problem is not only wrong...but also misleading. However, it is well documented in the Forum that aswsnx.sys is the Virtualization driver. I personally have had the experience on
other software packages where virtualization caused issues.....good examples is backup imaging software that tries to backup you system while you are still using it. I've seen bad virtualization drivers cause many BSODs in this example. So, my point is that this is something to try and see if it makes an impact for you.
IMHO you still have the Avast "Shields"........Sandbox which I agree is nice feature...but if causes BSODs then not so worth the benefits.
I also have not installed Avast's "Browser Protection".....again this not the Avast internet shields but what is known as AOS....a browser add-on.
This also has caused various issues for people thru their browsers....the suggestion has been is to disable the AOS plugin....I just don't install.
So, for me I am still on Avast8 except one test system....which I've backed down to just "shields" from custom install....which for my one W7 64-bit machine seems solid. The problem with all this is for every one bad post/thread there are so many that do not have issues....so statistically this becomes not relevant......but, it
is relevant to the person with the issue........SO, that is why I posted the suggestion. I hope it helps and will be interested to hear your results.
Lastly, if you are concerned about not having Sandbox then enable Hardened mode
and set to aggressive....kind of a similar function/fallback.
However, do some reading on Hardened mode.....some people like it......some do not.
On the positive side I have used AVG, Avira, Windows Defender, Symantec, McAfee.....and Avast is still the best IHMO.
Avast 9 still is in its improvement stages but has come along way since Fall/2013 when first released.
I personally trust the Avast team.....else I would have bailed along time ago.
