Windows Lockups

[Stridey]

Hi there,

I've got Avast 4.7. Recently, after what I suspect are the latest batch of windows updates Ashserv.exe (Avast - obviously) is hitting high CPU usage.

This is causing a temporary PC lockup for about 1-4 seconds and as you might imagine it's very frustrating.
Normally I would uninstall the problem program but Avast is far and away the best AV available.

Has any of the Avast peoples encountered this problem?

I've included the DXDiag info here: http://geordiekid.googlepages.com/DxDiag.txt

Thanks

[DavidR]

On my system I wouldn't notice a 1-4 second lock-up but it can be that avast is waiting for an essential service to load, commonly something is locking/hanging the RPC service.

During this time do you see a red circle with a bar (like a no entry sign) over the avast icon in the system tray ?

If so the current beta version of avast has a fast start (or faster) function that might help see http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=27439.0 if you aren't averse to using a beta trial. Read the topic and see what snags or issues there are (they are very few) and might they effect your system.

Or you could simply revert to the Uninstall, reboot and install, this has on occasion cleared the high CPU issue. It would probably be best to download the latest version of avast and save it to your HDD, somewhere you can find it again. Use that when you reinstall.

[Stridey]

On my system I wouldn't notice a 1-4 second lock-up but it can be that avast is waiting for an essential service to load, commonly something is locking/hanging the RPC service.

During this time do you see a red circle with a bar (like a no entry sign) over the avast icon in the system tray ?

No sir

If so the current beta version of avast has a fast start (or faster) function that might help see http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=27439.0 if you aren't averse to using a beta trial. Read the topic and see what snags or issues there are (they are very few) and might they effect your system.

Or you could simply revert to the Uninstall, reboot and install, this has on occasion cleared the high CPU issue. It would probably be best to download the latest version of avast and save it to your HDD, somewhere you can find it again. Use that when you reinstall.

That's sound advice. I'll start there and reply with results, thanks

[Lisandro]

To create the dump, download and run http://public.avast.com/~vlk/hangrep.exe . In the list of processes select ashserv.exe and use the Save button. This generates a file which you can either send to his email address vlk (at) avast.com (if it's smaller than e.g. 1 MB, ZIPed), or upload to ftp://ftp.avast.com/incoming
But you have to be quick (during that 1-4 seconds).

The command-line version http://public.avast.com/~vlk/userdump.exe . The syntax is
userdump.exe ashServ.exe c:\ashServ.dmp
(producing dump file in the root of C:\ drive) but, again, you have to be quick (during that 1-4 seconds).

Also, check the folder <avast>\data\log
Are there any files called unpXXXX there  (where XXXX is a random number)?
If so, send them to vlk (at) avast.com
They may contain more information about the problem (maybe a link to this thread).

[DavidR]

No problem, welcome to the forums.

No need for airs and graces here, I'm just an avast user like yourself, so we can dispense with the sir unless you know something I don't, I'm just about to be Knighted

David

[Stridey]

No problem, welcome to the forums.

No need for airs and graces here, I'm just an avast user like yourself, so we can dispense with the sir unless you know something I don't, I'm just about to be Knighted

David

Being polite costs nothing. It's something an awful lot of people (who like to endanger their life) seem so foolish to forget when anywhere near me.

I'm about to reboot and reinstall the latest version of Avast. The beta didn't work. I will keep you informed.

Thanks

[Stridey]

Yeah, it's still doing it

/grumble

[Lisandro]

Yeah, it's still doing it

/grumble

Can you try the dump?

[Stridey]

Yeah, it's still doing it

/grumble

Can you try the dump?

Yeah, I did, I e-mailed as instructed.

Here is an alternative link: http://geordiekid.googlepages.com/ashServ.exe.zip

[Stridey]

Yeah, it's still doing it

/grumble

Can you try the dump?

Yeah, I did, I e-mailed as instructed.

Here is an alternative link: http://geordiekid.googlepages.com/ashServ.exe.zip

OK, I've Avast uninstalled at the moment. Anyone got any ideas?

[Lisandro]

OK, I've Avast uninstalled at the moment. Anyone got any ideas?

Today is Sunday... maybe you need to give Vlk some time to get your dump and analyze it...

[Stridey]

OK, I've Avast uninstalled at the moment. Anyone got any ideas?

Today is Sunday... maybe you need to give Vlk some time to get your dump and analyze it...

I'd no idea. Ok, I'll wait, thanks

[Lisandro]

I'd no idea. Ok, I'll wait, thanks

I've sent a warning to them... but, again, today is Easter Sunday...

[Stridey]

I'd no idea. Ok, I'll wait, thanks

I've sent a warning to them... but, again, today is Easter Sunday...

Tech, that's cool fella, thanks

For the moment I've uninstalled Avast while I'm awaiting a reply. I'll do a full system scan when I find the solution and reinstall.

Thanks again.

[Stridey]

I just got impatient and reinstalled Avast.

Seems to be working

/looks bewildered

Cheers for your help and I'll be back if the problem returns

Cheers