After 24-48 hour run time, avast unable to move or delete listed files

Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security
1

I am trying to resolve a couple of issues with an old computer that my 80-year-old father uses. (see system info below). The system previously was acting up to the point that I almost reformatted and started from scratch, but after performing some clean-up with avast!, SuperAntiSpyware, ccleaner, and ScanDisk, etc. the computer is working reasonably well now…except…

There are two problems that I am encountering when running avast!:

  1. The scan takes forever (24-48 hours)*,
  2. When the scan is complete, I get a list of 677 files. All 677 files have the same file name, which contains some unrecognizable font characters in the name.( All of these files are shown to be located on a USB External hard drive labeled the “F” drive (400GB capacity, with 100GB unused). FYI, the file name is F:\WUTemp\com_Microsoft.Q313829_W98_5285, with the unrecognized characters following the last .

When I attempt to “move the files to the Chest” or try to “Delete” them, I get a pop-up window entitled “Results processing” that reads “An error has occurred during the processing of 677 result(s)!”. This also happens if I try to either move or delete one file individually as well.

The bottom line is that avast! “finds” these files, says they are “Unable to scan: The specified path is invalid” but then cannot move or delete them, so they show up again on subsequent scans (which again, take 24-28 hours!).

Does anyone know why these files are being listed on the scan and how I can get rid of them?

Any help is much appreciated.

Tom

*FYI: If I run avast! on just the internal 80GB C: drive (68 GB used), the scan takes about 3 ½ hours to complete with no viruses found.

System/Software Information:
Platform: Windows 98SE
Processor: Pentium III, 450mh
Memory: 640 RAM
Hard Drive: C: Drive, 80GB internal: F: Drive 400GB USB External
Antivirus Software: avast! 4.8 Free Home Version
Spyware Software: SuperAntiSpyware 4.24.1004
Misc. Software: ccleaner

2

Hi Spartan18,i would suggest deleting the avast version you have and install the latest 5.0.594 as it is lighter and faster, see how that goes with your scans, an upgrade to at least two gig of ram would be advisable also as ram is rather cheap these day’s and would make a huge improvement to the performance of your father’s system.

3

Do not update to Avast 5; it doesn’t work on Windows 98, I’m afraid.

As to what might be wrong with the F drive, I’ve no idea, sorry.

4

Sorry i didn’t notice you were on windows 98, thank’s for that Tarq57

5

No wukkers.