@ emteec (and this may help others),
When using OA and Avast, since both software are security software you need to put both software in each other's exclusions to avoid potential conflicts. This is a general rule regardless of what the software is.
The best way to exclude both OA and Avast is the following:
To exclude OA in Avast:
· Settings > Exclusions > Add > search for Online Armor and click on the box to the left of it and add it, then click OK.
· Real Time Shields > Expert Settings > Trusted Processes > Add > search for Online Armor and click on the box to the left of it and add it, then click OK.
· Behavior Shield > Expert Settings > Trusted Processes > Add > search for Online Armor and click on the box to the left of it and add it, then click OK. Also change action to take in Behavior Shield to “Ask.”
To exclude Avast in OA:
· Open the OA GUI > Options > Exclusions > Add > click on the pop-up window and find C:\Program Files\Awil Software\ (for Avast).
· When you reboot OA (to go into Learning Mode), make sure ALL Avast shields are left on and leave Avast alone.
· Reboot your machine again; OA requires two boots. After this second reboot, you
may get a pop-up asking you if you trust Avast. Answer the pop-up as "Trust Always" and "Remember My Decision" and you should not get any more pop-ups. Answer incorrectly and you will get future pop-ups.
· Open the OA GUI > Programs > untick "Hide Trusted" so that you can see everything > look to make sure everything from Avast is not "blocked" (red) or "ask" (yellow). If it is, right-click the item and change it to "Trust." Reboot.
· Open the OA GUI > Options > Backup/Restore > Save your settings once you have everything the way you want it.
If doing the exclusions does not resolve your problem, when you uninstall, make sure you are using the new Avast uninstaller tool
http://files.avast.com/files/eng/aswclear6.exe and that you are uninstalling
ALL versions and products of Avast you had on the machine first via Control Panel then in Safe Mode with the Uninstaller Tool, then REBOOT.
Run CCleaner Slim version with no toolbars
http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner/builds – 4th option down to clean your machine
prior to installing the new Avast version. Run the CCleaner registry cleaner if you like, and make a back up of any fixes in Documents or on a USB stick.
After doing a clean install of Avast, registering it and getting your updates, reboot.
Do an Avast Quick scan to make sure all is working fine.
Now defrag your machine with something like free Puran defrag, which has a regular and boot-time defrag (more thorough)
http://www.puransoftware.com/.
Let us know if this resolves your problem. Thank you.