Avast! works when off-line ??

[wdc202]

I booted my W98 desktop in Safe Mod(where no connection is made to the interne). I clicked my Avast icon and was surprised to see Avast activate and begin a scan, albeit VERY slowly.

How can that be? I am puzzled; doesn't Avast <require> an internet connection?

[igor]

Internet connection is needed only to update the virus database (or program) - not for the scanning itself.
Also, I'm not sure why it should be any slower than any other scanning...

[Vladimyr]

Internet connection is needed only to update the virus database (or program) - not for the scanning itself.
Also, I'm not sure why it should be any slower than any other scanning...

I can! Some of the "features" of 98SE in Safe Mode are...
1/. DOS compatibility mode IDE access - no bus mastering.
2/. No virtual memory.
3/. No hardware accelerated video

[igor]

Makes sense - even though are you sure about "No virtual memory"? It would mean some systems with low RAM would hardly be able to boot (into safe mode), IMHO...

[Vladimyr]

I just checked. You're suspicion is correct. Safe mode doesn't load any protected mode drivers but it does page out to Win386.swp, albeit in DOS Compatibility Mode.