Avast Free 7.0.1426 freezes WinXP (x86 & x64) when running on startup

Hello!
In the past three weeks my computer freezes most times on startup.
I have this behavior on Windows XP, both x86- (SP3) and x64-(SP2)editions, with all patches offered by WU applied.
When I deactivate Avasts service the system starts normally, when I start the Avast service later manually it works without any problems or freezes.
I have read here that there is a patch as there is known problem with freezes on system-startup. I applied it but it did not help.
I futher tried to uninstall the network-scanning component which did not help either.
I have scanned both systems with other AV-Scanners booted from a clean CD. There is no virusproblem.
Unfortunately I can not provide any memorydump or something like that as I can not start any programmes when the system freezes.
Is there any help? Can I provide further useful information to assist you in helping me?
Thanks!
A.Borque

  • Other security related software installed…??
  • Which AV did you use before avast!..??
  • Other security related software installed…??
    No (except for Windows Firewall :wink: )
    OpenVPN (2.2.2) is installed for a very long time but not active at the moment (and the service is not running).
  • Which AV did you use before avast!..??
    Always Avast. AFAIK I had a previous (officially released) build of the 7.0 series running without any problem.
  1. avast! GUI → Settings → Troubleshooting → Enable: “Load avast! services only after other system services”
  2. Click OK.
  3. Reboot.
  1. avast! GUI → Settings → Troubleshooting → Enable: “Load avast! services only after other system services”
  2. Click OK.
  3. Reboot.

Sorry, I forgot to mention it, but I have already tried this without success as I have read that in another thread dealing with similar problems.

OK, then do this…

  1. Download avast! Free Antivirus: http://files.avast.com/iavs5x/avast_free_antivirus_setup.exe
  2. Follow instructions: http://www.avast.com/uninstall-utility (Run this for all prior installed versions…!)
  3. Reinstall avast! with the downloaded installer from point 1.
  4. Reboot.

Hello!
I will try this but it might take some time (I will be away from my desk for a few days).
I will report the results on wednesday or next week on tuesday.
I hope you continue to help me then if it doesn’t work.
Thanks till then for your really very fast help!
A. Borque

  1. Sure. :slight_smile:
  2. You’re welcome.

Hello!
After following the procedure described above everything seems to work now.
If I see the problem again I will report it here again.
Thanks a lot for your help!
A.Borque

You’re welcome.