Author Topic: ashServ.exe Question  (Read 6008 times)

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dogma

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ashServ.exe Question
« on: December 06, 2004, 01:26:13 AM »
Hello out there.

I thought I'd give avast! a try because I've heard a lot of good things about it over at dslreports.com.

I have a question that I'm sure has an obvious answer, but my brain is not as agile as it used to be (if it ever was).

After a clean uninstall of my previous AV software, I installed avast! (on a XP machine with SP2).  Under avast! program settings/update I have set updates to manual.  However, Sygate keeps on warning me that an avast! component is trying to get out, namely ashServ.exe.  Also, Sygate warns me that ashDisp.exe is trying to start something (I'm guessing ashServ.exe).  ashServ.exe is trying to get to download#.avast.com, where # is an integer that changes every time it tries to get out.

Can someone enlighten me on this?  Is it something I should be concerned with?  I am assuming it's for virus definition updates, but I'm confused since I have updates set to manual.

Thanks for any and all help in advance.  I also apologize if this has been broached elsewhere..I did a search but really didn't find an answer.

Except for this minor technicality, 'm very impressed with avast!

dogma

Offline Eddy

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Re:ashServ.exe Question
« Reply #1 on: December 06, 2004, 01:33:44 AM »
Check the settings again. Looks like Avast is not set to update manually but automaticly.

Please check avast4.ini under the section [common]. What values are behind VPSUpdate= and ProgramUpdate= ?

dogma

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Re:ashServ.exe Question
« Reply #2 on: December 06, 2004, 02:02:04 AM »
Okay...checking avast4.ini I've got:

VPSUpdate=Manual
ProgramUpdate=Manual

Hmmm...the mystery thickens (or is that just my arteries?).

FYI: while posting this response, Sygate once again called out ashServ.exe trying to get out.

dogma

Offline Eddy

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Re:ashServ.exe Question
« Reply #3 on: December 06, 2004, 02:11:53 AM »
The server it is trying to reach is the Alwil server from which it can get updates (if there are any). Very strange......

I think this is something for one of the people from Alwil, but till they jump in, we can gether some more info.

What is the setting under "update (connections)"?
Does the behaviour changes if you change that setting?
Does it still wants to connect after a reboot?
Does it tries to connect every 4 hours?
Does it still happen after a repair of Avast?
What exact version of Avast are you using? (right click the blue ball > about)
« Last Edit: December 06, 2004, 02:13:47 AM by Eddy »

techie101

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Re:ashServ.exe Question
« Reply #4 on: December 06, 2004, 02:17:59 AM »
dogma,

The simplest thing to do is allow the connection requested.  It is perfectly safe to do so.  See what Avat wants to do.

Have you installed the latest version (549)?
If not, then do a manual update (Program) which will update the program build and VPS at one time.

Ashserv is more than likely trying to connect because the ini file is telling it that the time for an update check is due.  Avast will check for an update even if you have it set to manual.  All "manual" does is prevent the download of the update and subsequent installation.

I think that if you allow Avast to proceed, the problem will solve itself.

 :D
« Last Edit: December 06, 2004, 02:19:17 AM by Techie101 »

dogma

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Re:ashServ.exe Question
« Reply #5 on: December 06, 2004, 02:48:19 AM »
Okay now...


-version 5.49
-update (connections): set to "my computer is connected permanately..."
-ashServ.exe (according to Sygate) has been trying to get out every minute or so
-just set Sygate to allow...to see what happens
-not sure how to "repair" avast!

ummm...I think I covered everything....I'll check my Sygate logs in a few minutes to see if ashServ.exe is still trying to get out repeatedly.

Thanks again for help, Eddy and Techie

Offline Lisandro

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Re:ashServ.exe Question
« Reply #6 on: December 06, 2004, 01:48:33 PM »
-ashServ.exe (according to Sygate) has been trying to get out every minute or so
ummm...I think I covered everything....I'll check my Sygate logs in a few minutes to see if ashServ.exe is still trying to get out repeatedly.

Well, in fact, ashServ.exe never asked me to connect...
Maybe Sygate is monitoring the local access of it to your own HDD.
So, of course, ashServ is trying to scan something each 1 minute.
I'm just trying to say that your Sygate configuration could has some problem because it's monitorin local connections and all programs have local access. Maybe some configuration of the local network  ???

The program that must connect are avast.setup and ashMaisv.exe.

not sure how to "repair" avast!

Go to Control Panel > Add/Remove programs > avast! antivirus > Remove
Then choose Repair function in the popup window (Repair).

If this does not help, can you uninstall / boot / install / boot again?
The best things in life are free.

dogma

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Re:ashServ.exe Question
« Reply #7 on: December 06, 2004, 04:09:16 PM »
Technical,

Thanks for your response.  I'll have to look into further...unfortuneately I'm at work and can't mess with it until I get home.

I would understand if it was local access, but it looks like ashServe.exe (the last few times) was trying to get to thepilothangar.lycos.com.

I'll try a repair and, if need be, an uninstall and reinstall (as you suggested).

Thanks again.

dogma

Offline Eddy

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Re:ashServ.exe Question
« Reply #8 on: December 06, 2004, 04:36:27 PM »
Avast will never try to connect to Lycos. If it looks this way it is another application that is trying to connect to Lycos and Avast is just scanning it.

Offline Lisandro

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Re:ashServ.exe Question
« Reply #9 on: December 06, 2004, 10:09:41 PM »
But it looks like ashServe.exe (the last few times) was trying to get to thepilothangar.lycos.com.

Even stranger...  ???  ???
avast will never connect to this site...
Did you run a boot time scanning?
Did you run Ad-aware and SpyBot?
The best things in life are free.

dogma

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Re:ashServ.exe Question
« Reply #10 on: December 07, 2004, 12:23:34 PM »
my machine is pretty clean (oops...famous last words  :D)

I run spybot and Adaware often...along with TDS-3, use Firefox, etc.

Funny thing is, yesterday when I got home from work and booted up my machine, I repared avast! ...checking my logs after about 6-7 hours hours showed no "suspicious" activities.

Hmmm...go figure.

I'll play around some more tonight.

Thanks again, all!