Avast 5 Pro stops working while performing a full scan

[dalejsanders]

This is the 4th time that I have tried to run a complete scan of my system, and each time, the program stops when it hits 25.51GB of tested data.  I am running Vista Ultimate x64.  In each case, the program stops when processing SVC: .NET Data Provider for Oracle.

I do not know if this is a programatic issue or a potential virus that is stopping Avast from working.

[Joe S]

I've got a similar problem and haven't found a solution. Mine stops about 13 gigs not always the same file. I've installed several times using removal tools in safe mode new downloads but no luck.
Joe

[onlyafterdark]

Hi.  I was having a similar problem. After I installed today's windows update for Vista 64 (and rebooted) and my scan is going further than it had been going.  This may have fixed my problem. I have a lot of drives and a lot of stuff though so i won't know if this fixed it for a while.

For any having the same problem:

Update for Windows Vista for x64-based Systems (KB979306)

Installation date: ‎2/‎23/‎2010 2:54 PM

Installation status: Successful

Update type: Important

If you have a tiny drive try it and let me know if i can look forward to this working please lol

[BigDawg]

I use a boot scan when I scan. No problems.

[Lisandro]

I use a boot scan when I scan. No problems.

No available for x64 systems (yet).
I'm thinking on releasing a scanning at logon time for all users... now only available for Evangelists at the forum.
You can try it http://mysharedfiles.no-ip.org/avastEvangelist/avast_at_logon_by_Tech.exe (it's time limited).

[Joe S]

The MS updates didn't help mine much. It went from 13 gig to 13.15 gigs then I have to reset the shields.
Joe

[igor]

What exactly does it mean "stop"?
If you open Task Manager, is the process AvastSvc.exe still running (when it "stops")? Does it use any CPU?

[Joe S]

It stops scanning and there is a red X through Avast icon. You have to restart shields. There is no appreciable CPU usage
Joe

[taffy44]

Do any of you with this problem have Spysweeper installed by any chance?

I was having the exact same problem when performing a full system scan (it would get to 12.06 GB and then the red 'X' would appear on the avast icon and I would have to restart the program).

By a process of elimination I found the culprit to be Webroot's Spysweeper. I uninstalled it and the scan worked fine. I reported my findings on here but don't know whether anything was done about it. I have not re-installed Spysweeper because my subscription was due to expire and I already had enough free on-demand spyware programs installed. I have had no problems at all since uninstalling Spysweeper.

In my own case, Spysweeper (for some reason) was stopping Avast from scanning the 'memory' on my computer. If I set a "custom scan" to scan 'memory' only, Avast would instantly crash as soon as I clicked the Start button. So, I take it that it was crashing during a full system scan at the point where the memory was about to be scanned.

[Joe S]

Taffy
I have been wondered about Spy Sweeper too I do have that installed. My father has been in the hospital so I haven't had a lot of free time and I hate to uninstall and reinstall stuff if I don't need to.  I was going to test on a virtual PC but haven't had time yet. Did you send Webroot information on this LOL? I know their customer service is really lame from past experience.
Joe

[taffy44]

Did you send Webroot information on this LOL? I know their customer service is really lame from past experience.

Joe..

No, I have not reported it to Webroot.

I would have thought that the problem is not Webroot's because everything worked fine with version 4 of Avast. The problem arose on the installation of version 5.

Seems too much of a coincidence to me that you also have Spysweeper installed on your machine and I would definitely test the theory out if I were you.

P.S. Sorry to here about your father, hope it's nothing too serious.

[bobo1]

Yes Spysweeper is a very intense antispyware program and runs in ram memory on start up all the time checking for ram spyware that loads before windows. Will may cause conflict with avast as this does rootkit scan on start up and may cause your scans to fail!. Stopped using spysweeper as costs too much per year now use the free ones eg Spybot Search and Destroy just as good.

[DavidR]

The rootkit scan doesn't happen on start-up, but 8 minutes after start.

The major overhead with it scanning on boot is that for files that it opens to scan, avast is likely to be forced to first scan it, duplication scans and extending the boot duration.

[Joe S]

Taffy
You were right about Spy Sweeper. I just installed in a virtual PC that still had Avast 4.8 on it. Then after that I updated Avast to 5.0.148 and tired a scan and it did crash. I have time left on my subscription so I will send Webroot t a jab since their cucstome service is totally crap.
Joe

[dalejsanders]

For any having the same problem:

Update for Windows Vista for x64-based Systems (KB979306)

Installation date: ‎2/‎23/‎2010 2:54 PM

Installation status: Successful

Update type: Important

If you have a tiny drive try it and let me know if i can look forward to this working please lol

I just installed this update on my system as well.  I have started a full scan and am now up to 181GB of data scanned.  It appears that this may have fixed the issue... but I have a total of almost 3TB to scan, so I will report back with final results.

Thanks for the tip!

Dale

UPDATE:  Now up to 1.8TB of data scanned and still going strong!