The hottest system tuneup utilities software is tuneup utilities 2004. They have an optimization section that will give you tips on optimizing your system. Note what it said about Avast at the bottom of my screenshot!
Douglas
That’s fairly common for an Anti virus program, atleast I think it would be.
I checked on my wifes PC, and the same “Avast anti virus service” was using half of what it was on my system. I re-booted and mine was equal to my wifes PC, and that notice was gone in tuneup utilties.
Douglas
Interesting, I’m using BitDefender right now (for Trial use until the next version of Avast! comes out) and it said the same thing…
i’m more concern about that alexa plug-in in your IE 
try to use at least a software firewall too 
Me too!
It’s good to have a optimization tool but if it tells that your OS is the problem, what will you do? I’m affraid that some programmers think their application is the best, the one, the must have… Maybe it will say that Windows is taking much space in your HDD. Sorry, generally, my criticism does not win but in this case ;D
Nothing personal, of course
I usually run zone alarm, but had troubles with the last build update. I do have the XP firewall activated untill they work the kinks out of ZA, and I am using a NAT router. I guess it does not acknowledge the XP firewall. As far as the Alexa plug-in… I don’t ever use it.
Douglas
Sorry, the application I am using to tell me that Avast was using way too much memory was right on target. Avast was using an abnormal amount of memory, and it was just letting me know. Avast was using double what it normally usues, and I was using this thread to find out why. I was not bashing Avast. Matter of fact that was the first time I had seen that. The Avast anti virus service always runs about 11,000K on memory usage, it was over 21,000K for some reason. I was just trying to figure out why this was happening. But instead I get people worrying about my firewall and the silly Alexa plug-in. I have those items covered!
Douglas
Ok Tipton.
Let’s way for some information about the programmers… 8)
Anyway, I don’t think that anything has changed on this in the last update. Maybe I’m wrong.
The hottest system tuneup utilities software is tuneup utilities 2004
Tipton you picked a winner. It’s far superior to Norton Utilities.
Thanks bob, it is a very popular suite of system tools. I can’t believe how well each utility works.
I was surprised when I saw the mention that Avast was using too much memory. I had never seen it say that when running the optimization test. Sure enough, Avast was running twice what is normal on my system. Not sure why it was doing that. It hasn’t done that again since I re-booted.
Douglas
As far as the Alexa plug-in..... I don't ever use it.
Tipton, my friend… Alexa plug-in is using itself, of course against you. It’s one of worst spyware/adware things ever…
Run Spybot - Search and Destroy, and LavaSoft’s Ad-Aware. You’ll see results… those two will report you every single Alexa key inside your registry…
I’m guessing but, I think when he said “I took care of it” he intended that he got rid of it.
It could also mean:
I know it but I like it and I don’t care about the spyware and adware.
But instead I get people worrying about my firewall and the silly Alexa plug-in. I have those items covered!
…ooooor… Covered with blanket… ;D
And you trust this advisor? I trust only Taksmanager where i check each and every service/process.
I never trust any one single utility 100%. I always cross referance with other items I have installed. Yes I fired up task manager to see exactly how much memory the avast anti virus service was actually using. For some reason it was using more memory than usual. It could have been that it was working over time checking alot of files. I don’t recall what task I was using my PC for at the time!
Douglas
Under User’s FAQ link bellow you will find an explanation about avast! and Task Manager. The differences between ‘Page faults’, memory usage to the ‘Private Bytes’ (the VM Size) and ‘Working Set’ (the Mem Usage) NT performance counters.
There were previous threads about memory usage here.
Vlk tried to explain us a lot of time… Maybe we never learn 8)
Also just so you guys don’t worry about my security, I will list what I use.
Avast AV
Ad-Aware
Ewido security suite
Zone alarm firewall…using XP’s built in untill ZA fixes its latest release!
NAT router
Spyware Blaster
Spyware Guard
Proxomitron
Practice safe surfing
And lastly, I use a software program that is more important to me than any other. I use Acronis true image. I always scan with all my utilities before making an image, so that I can revert back to a clean/stable point in time if disaster ever strikes. This program has provided a safety net that nothing else can provide. I mean who wants to spend days formatting and re-loading, when I can do it in 5 minutes!
With all that said, I do appreciate the fact you guys care enough to post your advice. It never goes un-noticed.
PS…Alexa is gone!
Douglas
By the way, this is what I am talking about as far as memory usage. See screenshot. What number is this running on other peoples systems?
Douglas