Hi all
I have the following problem, which I believe started with recent update to Avast Home v4.5.xxx (version 4.5.549 included). Well I've never experienced this with v4.1.xxx
When Windows XP starts, after the desktop is displayed, a number of applications will be started, including Avast 4.5.549, ZoneAlarm 5.1.033, taskman (minimized to show CPU usage), soundcard stuff, WiFi stuff, etc..
From one reboot to another, these don't always fire in the same order, and some applications may be started/up and running before others.
The problem is that often when I get Avast icone showing up before others, Windows XP will then fail to start the remaining programs and the task-bar becomes busy.
This will then prevent any application from being started, and I cannot even gracefully initiate a reboot. Even ctrl-alt-del fails to start the taskman of Windows... must press the reset button..
However, when Avast is a bit slower to start, say after ZoneAlarm or so, everything is ok... Sounds like a timing issue..
Configuration:
Windows XP Home / SP2 (freshly re-installed from scratch)
Athlon 1800+ / 512MB of RAM
Any help would be appreciated
Note: I plan to work-around this issue, using some startup delayer tool to serialize the starting of application in the mean time..