Avast Free freezes up my IE8 and Vista horribly. Even simple software like OpenOffice takes up to 30 minutes to open, unless I turn off Avast. And this is a new download and install, and I’ve done uninstall and re-install 3x! When I turn AVAST off, everything works fine, and I’ve used several recommended scans on this computer and I do NOT have any viruses, malware or any of that other stuff on it.
Is there a fix for this???
what other security programs do you have installed…or previous installed
This is a new installation of Vista and the only security program installed.
And please don’t start trying to find other software to blame for AVAST’s poor operation.
How much RAM does the system have?
What is the CPU type and speed?
And please don't start trying to find other software to blame for AVAST's poor operation.why not, since the problem is often related to having to many security programs installed or not properly removed...... and since i dont know what you have i have to ask....or do you want me to guess ?
This is a new installation of Vista and the only security program installed.so does this mean a completely new install from a Vista CD ? or a recovery that sett it back to factory install ?......if so, many computers comes with preinstalled security software
The only other software in the computer besides Windows Vista is whatever came with Vista and what Toshiba installed. The only antivirus software I have installed in it is AVAST.
My system is an Intel Pentium Dual CPU T3200 2.00GHz with 1.00GB RAM.
So if AVAST isn’t made to run on this or on a computer that has ever had VISTA installed, why doesn’t it say that in the requirements so I wouldn’t waste my time on it???
[b]what Toshiba installed[/b]Most computer manufacturers partially instal an Antivirus programme in the factory
Avast should not slow Vista down unless it is conflicting with something, I have run Avast on XP, Vista and now windows 7 and have never experienced this problem
If you wish I can look at the system to see if I can find a bottleneck/conflict
Download OTS to your Desktop and double-click on it to run it
[*]Make sure you close all other programs and don’t use the PC while the scan runs.
[*]Select All Users
[*]Under additional scans select the following
Reg - NetSvcs
Reg - Shell Spawning
Evnt - EventViewer Logs (Last 10 Errors)
File - Lop Check
File - Purity Scan
[*]Now click the Run Scan button on the toolbar. Make sure not to use the PC while the program is running or it will freeze.
[*]When the scan is complete Notepad will open with the report file loaded in it.
[*]Please attach the log in your next post.
My Vista Toshiba Laptop comes pre-installed with a trial version of Norton Internet security.
Before installing Avast or any other anti-virus this Norton should be fully uninstalled preferably using the official Norton uninstall tool from the symantec website. If I restore the system using the restore disc then I have to uninstall Norton again.
If you don’t fully uninstall the bundled anti-virus it will conflict with whatever other anti-virus you install yourself.
It is very unlikely that Toshiba or any other laptop manufacturer will ship a laptop without a trial version of norton or mcafee. They do this to make money.
I don’t think so. First, I don’t trust people on forums where there are rude and sarcastic individuals (Pondus), so I’m not going to install software suggested on here. It shouldn’t be necessary if the AVAST was working right to install any scanner. And my opinion of AVAST is extremely low when instead of fixing your own software problems, you go hunting for other software to blame.
And the first thing I did when I got this computer was to uninstall completely any anivirus software, trial or otherwise, installed by Toshiba.
Second, I was just checking Vista’s “Problem Reports and Solutions” and found out that the only 3 BSOD I’ve had on this computer were caused by AVAST. So I am now removing it totally from my computer and will go to your competition, AVG, which I have used on other computers with nothing but good luck.
It was my mistake to give AVAST a try. And I will certainly let everyone within internet reach of me know of my issues with AVAST. It isn’t good software for VISTA and/or Toshiba by my experience. Not unless you enjoy freezes and BSODs. Which I don’t.
First, I don't trust people on forums where there are rude and sarcastic individuals (Pondus),well the rude sarcastic man is still here to help you
And the first thing I did when I got this computer was to uninstall completely any anivirus software, trial or otherwise, installed by Toshiba.as i asked in my first reply...about previous installed security programs....and this can be your problem if it is not properly removed, and all leftovers are gone avast5 seems to be especially grumpy when it comes to these leftovers
so go here http://uninstallers.blogspot.com/ find the removal tool for the program you have uninstalled, run it and reboot, and if lucky that was it
And still rude and sarcastic.
I know how to remove software, sir. I’m not one of those new people on the internet that you can scare with your “could happen” worst case scenarios. And as I said, my computer now thankfully no longer has AVAST in it and never will again. And it is running 100% better. 
Thank you for not helping me at all, Pondus. It is sad when places promote themselves as places to help computer operators and instead treat those people who are honestly asking for assistance like children with a computer/internet IQ of 0. I hope others don’t come here thinking they can get reasonable help, because they will be woefully disappointed.
Sounds to me like someone had had their mind made up from post one.(LOL)
It’s not Avast. My laptop’s a Toshiba w/Vista and it came with Norton 360. I uninstalled it with Norton’s removal tool and Avast has always worked right. There’s something in your system conflicting with Avast.
I also have the same machine and 1GB RAM is very limited. Have you checked the web site to see if you were supposed to get more RAM than that? I believe you can install up to 8 GB (two 4GB). I installed more and it made a huge difference.
That is not to say that this will resolve your problem. I also believe that something in your machine is conflicting with Avast and/or you have malware. Have you done a scan with Avast or free MBAM http://www.malwarebytes.org/ - update prior to scanning. It can’t hurt to check at this point as we are just trying to help and it is a good on-demand scanner to have as a back up. Thanks.
Ramblinlady, Pondus has done nothing but try to help you as well as everybody else in this thread,you seem to be the one making all the accusations and being rude yourself.
@Ramblinlady: First I want to say, I’ve tested many different Antiviruses in low-end computers and avast! antivirus had no performance issues.
As you are using Windows Vista, and your Windows is recovered from Toshiba Disc, Make first uninstall Antivirus that Toshiba installed, also everything else than you don’t need (e.g. Google Desktop etc…).
Seems this is not a new laptop, so update it to latest service pack for many performance improvement and security fix from Microsoft.
In Windows Vista, Windows Shadow Copy (System Restore) has a serious impact on Hard Disk Operation, If you think you would not need system restore, You can turn it off to using your computer slightly faster.
And finally, please be more patient and be kind to forum members, they are here only to help you. 
I have Vista Ultimate on a virtual machine. It runs Avast just fine. But then I have the RETAIL disk of Vista Ultimate and that has no garbage on it. Just the OS. If you are so computer smart, I am wondering why you would purchase a computer where the OEM refused to send you a REINSTALLATION disk that has nothing on it except the OS. I would NEVER buy a computer from an OEM that only gave me a crappy RESTORE disk. You got RIPPED OFF when you bought from such a crappy OEM. Next time, buy from Dell or HP both of which will supply REINSTALLATION disks not restore disks. And make sure you buy from the Small Business divisions so you are treated better.
Secondly, get some more RAM! You cannot run Vista decently on only 1GB RAM. Vista is extremely RAM hungry (much more so than Win 7). I could only give my virtual machine running Vista Ultimate 1GB RAM and it runs but not very well. Vista needs a minimum of 2GB RAM. Avast will run fine on Vista with only 1GB RAM but you would have a far better experience if you had more RAM. I do need to say though that I don’t run most of the modules in Avast. They are unnecessary as I have other programs that protect me. I do not need a webguard and most of the modules for Avast are unneeded. All that is needed is the realtime monitor. So, it could be that I have no problems running Avast on 1GB RAM because I don’t use most of the modules. I also run Online Armor ++ (with the antiviirus disabled) with Avast and they get along great. (If Avast had a classic HIPS then I would run that and wouldn’t need OA).
agreed, ive read thru this thread and Pondus has been trying to help u, but u come on these forums to do what seems like making a scene and not actually care at all about solving ur problem, either follow the advice of the people trying to help u, or leave, but dont waste peoples time Ramblinlady
perhaps u can learn a thing or 2 about security software and computers from here because atm it seems u just want to blame avast for any issue u have, u know there can be other underlying problems with ur setuo that has CAUSED avast to have issues, not the other way around necessarily, and the only way to find out which is the problem is to, as ive already said, listen to the advice of the people trying to help u