Avast Freezing Up Comp; Hogging Resources

[Blinx]

Greetings group:

I like Avast. I don't like what Avast does when it updates (which is far too often).

It's taken months and many extremely angry episodes with my comp, to finally figure out that the problem was Avast all along. It acts like a virus itself, and has caused me to scan for viruses and malware numerous times (I also use Malwarebyte's Anti-Malware).

When this happens, I get the hour glass, the HD runs, videos freeze and nothing responds. I often must ctrl>alt>del to get it to "unlock" and continue working. Very frustrating. Just recently, I noticed that, every time it does this, it is followed by one of the avast notices (but this takes a few minutes, too, which is why it took so long to make the connection).

I've tried disabling Avast, but it still updates anyway.

How can I completely turn Avast off without uninstalling it? It's getting to be more trouble than it's worth.

Thank you.
Blinx


p.s. - I HATE CAPTCHA!!!

[Pondus]

it is followed by one of the avast notices

what notice?

p.s. - I HATE CAPTCHA!!!

spam protection.....only first 3 posts

[Pondus]

if you attach a OTL diagnostic log, then one of the experts here can have a look inside

see guide here....scroll down to OTL instructions
http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=53253.0

[Blinx]

it is followed by one of the avast notices

what notice?

Notices that the virus definitions have been updated, that there's an update available, etc.

p.s. - I HATE CAPTCHA!!!

spam protection.....only first 3 posts

I know, but there's much better ones out there that you don't have to guess at or recycle, that are impossible to misread. But, I can live with three. ty

As for that OTL diagnostic log, that sure looks like a lot of extra homework to do. Looks easier to ditch Avast all together and get something less obtrusive. Does Avast know what a pain in the butt their product can be? Do they care?

Thanks,
Blinx

[bob3160]

it is followed by one of the avast notices

what notice?

Notices that the virus definitions have been updated, that there's an update available, etc.

p.s. - I HATE CAPTCHA!!!

spam protection.....only first 3 posts

I know, but there's much better ones out there that you don't have to guess at or recycle, that are impossible to misread. But, I can live with three. ty

As for that OTL diagnostic log, that sure looks like a lot of extra homework to do. Looks easier to ditch Avast all together and get something less obtrusive. Does Avast know what a pain in the butt their product can be? Do they care?

Thanks,
Blinx

What pain It's been protecting my systems for almost 10 years. If you want something less obtrusive, that's your choice but you wouldn't find anything that gives you better protection.
https://blog.avast.com/2012/11/23/avast-free-antivirus-shines-among-a-dull-field-in-latest-av-test/

Quieting avast! is also easy:
http://youtu.be/Fib5c4suWnU


But, it's your computer and your choice. 

[iroc9555]

As for that OTL diagnostic log, that sure looks like a lot of extra homework to do. Looks easier to ditch Avast all together and get something less obtrusive. Does Avast know what a pain in the butt their product can be? Do they care?

Avast! is one of the least bloated AV you can find. I would also say less resource hogger than ESET or Avir.

If you got problems with it, it could be something in your sys. May be you still have remanents of your former AV that is interfering. How did you uninstall it ? Did you run its removal tool ? The log was asked to know what your sys got that could be interfering with Avast!

My sys is 5 years old and Avast! barely uses 10 MB of memory.

[Blinx]

I did not uninstall it. What makes you think I did? I did shut off the virus definitions for a while, and there was peace, but it wasn't protecting.

Now, when I updated it, it FORCED Google Chrome on me, changed my browser to Chrome and altered my plugins on IE.

That is too much. Avast has gone too far. I do NO business with Google, ever, and it's looking like I must now extend that policy to avast as well. Such incompetent CRIMINALS!

Now I have to figure out how to get my plugins back.

G.

[bob3160]

Now, when I updated it, it FORCED Google Chrome on me, changed my browser to Chrome and altered my plugins on IE.

You could have unchecked the boxes and that would not have happened.
Never use the default option to install any program.

[Blinx]

Just as with many others, I was not given any option to not install Chrome. Not one.

But, this says it all:  http://securitygarden.blogspot.com/2012/02/avast-users-frustrated-with-unwanted.html

It's looking like Avast is loosing it. Many frustrated people are now looking for less "presumptive" (INVASIVE) virus protection, including me.

I think Google bribes (pays; buys off) the greedy *bleeps* at Avast. That's the same thing they did with Adobe flash, but they give NO OPTION to not get Chrome either. Twice I went through it but bailed each time because there was no option. So, due to that, I refuse to update it again till I absolutely have to.

G.

[bob3160]

Just as with many others, I was not given any option to not install Chrome. Not one.

But, this says it all:  http://securitygarden.blogspot.com/2012/02/avast-users-frustrated-with-unwanted.html

It's looking like Avast is loosing it. Many frustrated people are now looking for less "presumptive" (INVASIVE) virus protection, including me.

I think Google bribes (pays; buys off) the greedy *bleeps* at Avast. That's the same thing they did with Adobe flash, but they give NO OPTION to not get Chrome either. Twice I went through it but bailed each time because there was no option. So, due to that, I refuse to update it again till I absolutely have to.

G.

The link you've posted pretty much explains that you need to use the Custom Install option not the Express option.
I've also stressed that part in my video. It's a rule that should be followed no matter what program you install on your computer.

[Blinx]

The link you posted to the YT video does not address the primary problem at all: locking up the comp. I don't mind the sounds or notice boxes, but turning them off will not help (much). It's what it does behind the scenes (and usually at the worst time) that causes the problem. It can't pick a reasonable time to update; it's "hyper-active". The locking up and the notice boxes are often minutes apart, which is why it took me so long to make the connection.

Blinx

[Asyn]

- Which avast!..?? (Free/Pro/IS)
- Which version..??
- OS..?? (32/64 Bit..? - which SP..?)
- Other security related software installed..??
- Which AV did you use before avast!..??

[Blinx]

Which Avast version? The latest that THEY were pushing me to update to: virus definitions version 121129-1
program version: 7.0.1474 Free: (do you really think people would really PAY for this questionable piece of junk?) OS=XP Pro Version 2002, Service Pack 3, Intel Pentium4 CPU 2.40 Ghz [2.39 Ghz] 0.99 Gb RAM

That's all it says. I don't know how to find 32/64 bit or "SP" (?)

No security related software other than the standard Microsoft firewall.

WHAT does that have to do with the fact that Avast has committed a CRIME by forcing millions to have Google Chrome?

As far as I'm (now) concerned, Avast has proven to be a corrupt, incompetent, greedy criminal corporation, who has PROVEN to be on the take, at the peril and disregard of those who prospered and trusted them. As I said, they are loosing it. Only fools cling to a sinking ship.

Nothing you or anyone else can say can can change the fact that FORCING Google chrome on people is criminally JUST PLAIN WRONG  (not to mention that the other invasive Avast practices which brought me here).

Pay close attention: It is no longer my ambition to "correct" or otherwise make Avast work right. My current ambition is to A: Remove the virus Avast from my machine with as little damage as possible (it seems that removing it can also do vast amounts if irreversible damage [due to Avast incompetence]). -and- B: Find another safer, saner virus protection. (C: Boycott Avast for thousands to see).

So, don't waste time trying to "inform" or disuade me; my course is set - as far as I'm concerned, Avast is now an incompetent, criminal organization which I'll never trust again. Too bad they can't be prosecuted accordingly.

The mere fact that Avast would FORCE software from a clearly criminally corrupt organization such as Google *should* be enough to show any sensible person that Avast is, likewise, corrupt and incompetent. Only fools cling to sinking ships. Just because they were good in the past doesn't mean they are now. Things change. Greedy criminals encroach. (I challenge you to find the greedy Avast criminal who Google bribed to force Chrome!).

Blinx



P.S. I'm reading some promising things about Microsoft's own AV (even custom for XP). Anyone know anything about that?

[mchain]

hi Blinx,

You can determine the version of your Window Operating System in one of two ways:

• Right-click 'My Computer' and select 'Properties' in the drop-down list.  See attached below.
• Press both the Windows Key + R at the same time to open the run box and type in 'winver' (without the quotes) and click 'OK'

If your version is 64-bit, it will say so.  If not, no -bit entry will be found, as that would default to 32-bit structure.

MSE, Microsoft Security Essentials, consistently scores the worst, at the bottom of the pack, in real-time protection, or in protection of any kind, among all the major a/v vendors, just so you know.

[Arnold72]

I would have to say avast is the lightest and least obtrusive AV ive ever used and will continue to use it.As for the protection it provides for free i would say it is unrivalled.
All this for absolutely free.nothing to grumble about really.