Virus scanning freeze

[greenhatch]

Should I be able to surf or chat whilst running an Avast (free) scan in standard mode? I noticed it has frozen a couple of times and have had to end the process in Task Manager. The scanning works without a hitch with no sites or messengers active.

[igor]

What operating system do you use? What was the exact process name that you killed?

[greenhatch]

XP2
The Avast virus scan prog

[igor]

OK, but what was the exact name of the process?

[greenhatch]

Heh Igor, do you think I remembered it?  However, I started the scan again and on looking at Task Manager processes, I see ashSimpl.exe there.

[Spiritsongs]

   Hi Greenhatch :

      Being a security-conscious person, I run all my security
      programs while NOT on the internet .

[polonus]

Hi greenhatch,

Could this be it:
http://www.trendmicro.com/vinfo/virusencyclo/default5.asp?VName=WORM_BAGZ.C&VSect=T

and consider:
http://www.mcse.ms/archive177-2005-4-1544608.html

polonus

[greenhatch]

Polonus, if it's malware causing my scan to freeze, we are all in trouble. No, I think it is just because I had a couple of things running and surfing; probably the scan program  prefers to be alone when working on the harddrive
Though I await further word from Igor...

[igor]

Well, yes, ashSimpl.exe is the "Simple User Interface" scanner - but was it frozen? Previously, were you also running a on-demand scan? (I wasn't sure if you're talking about the resident protection maybe?)

If it wasn't frozen now, I'd simply suggest to wait until the next lock-up occurs and then note the exact name of the process and post it here.
Btw, how long did you wait until you claimed the program to be frozen? Were you able to move the window with your mouse, for example (when it was "frozen")?

[greenhatch]

Igor,
I did keep the Avast resident scanner on whilst running the virus scanning of the harddrive. And I was able to move the cursor when the scanning of the harddrive froze. It would have been maybe two minutes before I noticed the scanning had frozen and it said 'not running' in Task Manager applications, so I stopped it in processes.
I then closed the sites and chat programs, restarted the scanning and it did complete ok in the usual 20 minutes.

[polonus]

Hi greenhatch and igor,

I'd like igor to comment on the following exerpt. Why they mentioned that or is that a thing from the past? Or is this not related to this specific problem.
----------
Someone on alt.comp.anti-virus kindly referred me to the Avast forum at
http://forum.avast.com/index.php?board=2.0
A search of the forum messages turned up two possible solutions: update
the Windows ODBC database files, or change a line in avast4.ini from
"Database=ODBC" to "Database=XML". Since the second suggestion seems
simpler, I have started with that one. If these don't work I'll check it
out in safe mode as you suggest.
--------------
polonus

[igor]

polonus, I don't think the storage type could have anything to do with that.
It occassionally causes problems when starting the scanner (because the settings cannot be loaded from the storage), but not like this. Anyway, we hope all storage problems will be solved in 4.7

[greenhatch]

I finally got fed up with the Avast scan freezing part way through, having each time to end the process via Task Manager.  So I have uninstalled Avast and reinstalled it and will advise if the reinstal freezes on scan later this week.

[Lisandro]

Anyway, we hope all storage problems will be solved in 4.7

Igor, will be another storage method - besides XML and ODBC - or this refers only to internal (management) procedures?

[CharleyO]

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greenhatch ... how much ram does your computer have? You may be using up your computer resources by scanning, keeping too many "things" running, and surfing.


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