20 Minutes of 100%-CPU-Charge for database update of some kb???

[Anacunga]

I have here Notebook with 1.2GHz Pentium4 that is always blocked for about 20 Minutes with 100% CPU-Charge when updating Virus database. I could attach screenshots of it if needed (Total Time: 21:26 / Download time: 24 sec. / Downloaded Files: 10 (573.11 KB) ... CPU-Usage-History in Windows-Task-Manager stands on 100% for the time of Update) ... How crazy is that???

[Asyn]

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

[Anacunga]

- Which avast!..??
 Free
- Which version..??
 latest 8.0.1489
- OS..??
 latest XP 32 SP3
- Other security related software installed..??
 no
- Which AV(s) did you use before avast!..??
 Avast 4.8 (but this is some years ago; always updated (to v5/v6/v7/etc.)

[Asyn]

Avast 4.8 (but this is some years ago; always updated (to v5/v6/v7/etc.)

1. Download avast! Free Antivirus: http://files.avast.com/iavs5x/avast_free_antivirus_setup.exe
2. Follow instructions: http://www.avast.com/uninstall-utility (Run this tool for all prior installed avast! versions..!!)
3. Reinstall avast! with the downloaded installer from point 1.
4. Reboot.

[Anacunga]

It really depends if there is something else also running or not. If there is nothing running besides, updating is done within ca. 2 min. ... but if you only are surfing on the net, it not only lasts between 15 and 20 minutes, but also during that time the PC feels really small and you always have to wait for the webpages to be presented. There is still something that slows the PC too much down, specially if having scripting (javascript) activated ... :/

[!Donovan]

Hi Anacunga,

On my XP Pro with Intel Pentium 4 2.80ghz, avast! usually takes 60% cpu for about 15-30 seconds while it's updating, even while i'm multitasking 8+ programs. 3.256gb ram here.

How fast is your internet speed?

~!Donovan

[Anacunga]

... after some more tests the result is a real shame. while I am now writing this, I should work on a different PC; I had started there with looking up something on the web and writing something in a simple text file. I had to wait for about 2 to 3 minutes to be able to save the text (i.e. duration between invoking save-dialogue and appearance of the save-window). The PC is still not yet usable; just scrolling on a website takes several minutes until the page moves.

Sorry but that is NOT multitasking as it should be!

Btw: the only solution is to quit EVERY AND ALL PROGRAMS before manually starting the update process, then the wait period is only about 2 minutes. But while updating just virus definitions, the PC is absolutely not usable; the more you do the longer it takes!

The new values:

Engine and definitions: previous 130830-1, updated to 130902-0
Total time: 31:49 (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
Download time: 26 s (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
Downloaded files: 19 (1493.42 KB)
Server: download354.avast.com (46.165.210.3)

And during that half hour the PC was not usable!

I can present you the screen-shot if necessary!
And next time I can run videocam to record it!
(btw: two weeks ago I followed your instructions!)

More than half an hour for something that was downloaded in even not half a minute? How crazy are you? To be honest, but that behavoiur is a real shame - sorry for telling you that!

Btw: sorry, I was wrong above: as I remember there was no AV-software installed before AVAST, and it started with v5 or v6, but not v4

[Asyn]

Update to avast! 8.0.1497. Better..??

[Anacunga]

No - the described behaviour IS with 8.0.1497 ...

[INGBEAN]

Hello Anacunga!

How much RAM is installed on your PC?

INGBEAN

[Anacunga]

512MB (among 32MB as shared memory for graphics) - usable for the OS is 480MB

btw: turned System Restore off now - don't know if this could help ...

[INGBEAN]

Do you have a possibility to install additional RAM to your Notebook?
Or is 512 MB already the maximum?
I think this would be the most helpful way.

Please take a look to the "Performance"-tab on Windows Task Manager.
Which 3 values do you have on the "Commit Charge (K)"-section (left down)?

Today I made a test with Windows XP Professional SP3 and avast! Free V8.0.1497.
On idle I have a "Page File Usage" of approx. 350 MB.
I performed an update (by hand) from VPS 130902-0 to 130902-1 and got a (short) peak of 610 MB.

If you have this behavior too, data are swapped from RAM to harddisk.
Which size has your HDD and how much is free?
Additionally it helps to defragment your HDD and (or) disable the "Streaming Updates" on avast! Free (just an idea).

INGBEAN

[Anacunga]

Have to check whether 1GB would be possible ... PC133-SODIMM would be needed ...

Was about 1GB left free on System-/Boot-HD; now over 3GB free ...

Streaming update is disabled - and I always let pop the info up to control update start time.

Btw.:

> On idle I have a "Page File Usage" of approx. 350 MB.
> I performed an update (by hand) from VPS 130902-0 to 130902-1 and got a (short) peak of 610 MB.

I consider that as a possible source of the problem. But why the hell does avast consume so much buffer - just to replace some minor files?

Specially when not automatically updating, it would be a minor problem to announce a short (max. 1-2min.) of "please be ready for avast to update - no multitasking available; PC will not be usable for a short while - press any key when ready to wait 1-2 min." or else.

[INGBEAN]

Well, 1 or 3 GB free on HDD is really not much.
Because pagefile.sys, recycle bin and temporary (internet) files needs space too.

I would suggest more RAM, try to get more free space on your HDD and defragment it.

Regards!

INGBEAN

[bob3160]

Unfortunately the problem isn't avast! but a system that's starving for additional Ram and one that
also needs additional Hard Drive space.
If you fix these 2 items, you'll have a well behaved computer again. Without it, you'll have nothing but headaches.