On access not running?

[Linds]

I have a computer running avast Pro.  It seems like the on access scanner has stopped running.  It used to be down in the task manager there was the blue icon with the white A on it but that is no longer showing up.  How can I restart the on access scanner?

[Lisandro]

Maybe only the icon disappears...
To be sure, just run ashDisp.exe from avast folder. Will the 'a' blue icon reapper?

If so:
1. Check the option in the Appearance tab of settings.
or
2. Repair your avast installation through Control Panel.
or
3. Make a link to ashdisp.exe in your startup folder
or
4. Add the path to ashDisp.exe into a value named avast! in the Windows Registry key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

[Linds]

Thanks Tech,  I ran ashDisp.exe and it came back.  So does that mean that Avast was still running but just not showing up in the task manager?

Thanks again!

[DavidR]

ashDisp.exe is just an interface, the main processes you should still see running are ashServ.exe, ashMaiSv.exe, ashWebSv.exe and aswUpdSv.exe, are they running ?

Running it will make it come back but when you boot it is likely that it will be gone, that is why you need to try step 2, 3 or 4 for a permanent solution.

However, whatever it was that killed it in the first place could do the same again. What other security based software do you have that might block new startup entries, e.g. Spybot S&D (TeaTimer), AdAware (AdWatch), SpySweeper, Spyware Doctor (StartUpGuard), PrevX, WinPatrol, ProcessGuard, etc. ?

[Linds]

I created a shortcut in the start up folder.  I restarted my computer and the ashServ.exe, ashMaiSv.exe, ashWebSv.exe and aswUpdSv.exe  were running after the startup.

I do have spyware guard running.

[DavidR]

I assume by this that ashDisp.exe wasn't running after the boot ?
If so then this needs further investgation.

SpywareGuard shouldn't have any effect on the avast icon. So there must be something else, are you sure you have no other security based programs, including firewall, anti-spyware, etc. ?

[Linds]

ashDisp.exe didn't show up the process list but the Blue Ball with the White A showed up in the bottom right hand corner,  I assume that means that on access is running.

As far as other security.  I also periodically run spybot  and lavasoft's adaware.

[DavidR]

Very strange, see image, it might be because you put it in the startup folder.

Spybot has a resident function TeaTimer ensure that it isn't running as this could be what tok out the avast icon. Unless you have the paid for version of AdAware paid for version with AdWatch enabled then the free version shouldn't cause any problems.

[Lisandro]

ashDisp.exe didn't show up the process list but the Blue Ball with the White A showed up in the bottom right hand corner,

This is not possible. The 'a' blue icon IS the ashdisp.exe 

[Linds]

Sorry I thought by when you said "I assume ashDisp.exe didn't show up"  that you meant it shouldn't show up, so I looked quickly to see if it did or not and I didn't see it that is when I said it didn't show up.

I checked this morning after another reboot and ashDisp.exe did show up in the process's.  Along with several other Avast process's.   I think I am OK now but not sure?

[Lisandro]

I think I am OK now but not sure?

You can test avast with www.eicar.com and with http://www.virusdefence.co.nz/security/internetsecurity.htm
But, it seems ok now