Avast 5 I.S. 5.0.462 - cannot read from the source file or disk issue

Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security
1

I have been evaluating this program and come across an issue which means that we will not be able to buy this software [currently evaluating in trial mode].

On the computer with an issue (Vista Business 64bit, C2D 2.13Ghz, 4GB DDR2), when the client PC tries to paste/modify a file to/on a shared network drive on a W2K03 Server he gets an error: “Cannot read from the source file or disk”.

Edit: I should add that we tested 4.8 and that worked fine. Also, removing the Avast 5 software was the only way to clear the issue, as disabling didn’t fix the issue. I got the problem to go away very temporarily by running ipcofig /flushdns followed by ipconfig /registerdns at the command line.

This is a shame as our current Kaspersky ISS 2010 causes and issue with Outlook with the ACT and Backup plugins installed which doesn’t seem to be high on the list of priorities for them to fix.

2
  • what software is used to modify the file? (i.e. what software shows that error message)
  • is the file accessed using a mapped drive letter, or a UNC path?
  • does the error show every time (the file is changed), or just sometimes?
  • appart from showin the error - is the change saved or not?
  • so, even stopping the resident protection doesn’t change anything?
  • is there an antivirus installed on the server as well?
3

Thank you for the speedy response Igor.

  • Software is just Windows Explorer
  • Mapped drive letter (in this case Z:)
  • Every time, regardless of file/folder/creating a new file/folder
  • No changes are able to be made, options are Retry or Cancel
  • No change at all by disabling the protection.
  • Yes, latest version of Clamwin is installed on the server.

Edit: After uninstalling Ad-aware the issue was still present, however, I just checked again some 30 mins later and things are all working and Avast is enabled. I will report back is the issue returns again. I haven’t had the chance to reboot the machine since the ad-aware uninstall and nothing else has changed as far as I am aware. Looks like more testing is required.

4

Okay, this issue has come back.

  • I can’t change the names of files or folders
  • I can paste files/folders into folders, but I can’t over write files with files of the same name
  • I can create folders, but can’t rename them.

This is all with the “Cannot read from the source file or disk” error message as a result of trying these operations. The options are to ‘Try again’ or ‘Cancel’. The try again option doesn’t work regardless of how many times you press it.

5

This is definitely a replicable issue on this PC. Install Avast 5 I.S. and you lose the ability to change the names of folders and files. Uninstall it and you have the normal abilities.

Just checking to see if this is specific to the I.S. version by trying the Pro antivirus trial version

6

Okay, This is evident in Pro Antivirus program too.

From what we can tell:

  • You can right click and create a new file or folder in the remote drive.
  • You can paste in new files to created folders
  • If you try to right click / F2 rename folders or files you get the error message
  • Overwriting files also fails with the same error.
7

Another bump to this, I have a second computer on the same network running Vista Business 64bit experiencing this same issue.

The same software on the two computers is listed below:

  • Avast 5
  • Microsoft Windows Live Messender etc.
  • Act! Premium 2010
  • MS Office 2003
  • MyDefrag

Connected to the same Server 2003 network (not an AD domain). It’s a little flaky, as it has required a DNS suffix to be pushed via DHCP for the network to work; after some windows updates.