Why can't Avast 4.6 Scan Some Files?

[mharnisch]

After I run Avast Version 4.6 Home Edition Virus scan, I get a list of 42 files that Avast says it was unable to scan.  I have a Dell dimension 8100 with 1.25GB memory running Windows XP. In addition to Avast, I also use Norton 2006 Internet Security Suite, Spy Sweeper, Spyware Doctor, Ad-Aware, and Windows Defender.  They all seem to work together OK.

Here is a summary of the files listed that could not be scanned:
2 files were:
Documents and Settings/All Users/....../SBRecovery.reg
2 files were:
Documents and Settings/All Users/....../SBRecovery.ini
1 file was:
Program files/Lavasoft/....../Ad-Aware-SEdefault.skn
37 files were:
Program files/Lavasoft/....../ending in .bmp

I would like to find out why Avast can't scan these files and what, if anything, can be done to correct it.  Does anyone have any ideas?

[Spiritsongs]

  Hi M Harnisch :

     The "bloatware" Norton Internet Security "Suite" contains
     the Norton Antivirus Program and should NEVER have 2
     antivirus programs "running/resident" on the same
     computer; therefore, should REMOVE either Norton or
     Avast. As to "unable to scan", that is covered by the "FAQ"s
    "Q: When the file scanning is finished, avast! comes up with a number of files listed as "unable to scan", even though I have used a thorough scan. Should I be concerned?

A: Some files are permanently locked by the system or they are in password-protected archives. These files cannot be scanned. It is normal and you don´t have to be worried about that. "

[DavidR]

Many programs (usually security based ones) password protect their files for legitimate reasons such as AdAware and Spybot Search & Destroy, there are others (and avast doesn't know the password or have any way of using it even if it did know it).

When you run scans with the above programs and you delete harmful entries that they detect, a copy is kept (in quarantine/restore/backup) in case you need to reverse what you did. These are usually password protected, you should do some housekeeping and delete old backup/recovery/quarantine entries (older than two weeks or so), this will reduce the numbers of files that can't be scanned.

By examining 1) the reason given by avast! for not being able to scan the files, 2) the location of the files, you can get an idea of what program they relate to. You may need to expand the column headings to see all the text.

Files that can't be scanned are just that, not an indication they are suspicious/infected, just unable to be scanned.