Avast takes ages to load

[system]

Thanks. I’ll try it and let you know if it improves things.

[Asyn]

@n01clueless post:21

Thanks. I’ll try it and let you know if it improves things.

OK, please do so.

[system]

I’ve just noticed something in my settings. I have ‘enable rootkit scan on system startup’ checked. Is this the default setting and, if so, could this explain the long startup?

[Asyn]

@n01clueless post:23

I’ve just noticed something in my settings. I have ‘enable rootkit scan on system startup’ checked. Is this the default setting and, if so, could this explain the long startup?

Yes, it’s the default setting, but it shouldn’t slow down your startup. It runs about 8 mins after boot up.

[system]

No improvement

[Asyn]

@n01clueless post:25

No improvement

Did you reboot…??

[system]

yes

[Asyn]

OK, let’s try a clean reinstall…

1. Download avast! Free Antivirus: http://files.avast.com/iavs5x/avast_free_antivirus_setup.exe
2. Follow instructions: http://www.avast.com/uninstall-utility
3. Reinstall avast! with the downloaded installer from point 1.
4. Reboot.

[system]

Right, thanks. I’ll do that but I’ve got to go now. I’ll post back when I’ve been able to do it.

[Asyn]

@n01clueless post:29

Right, thanks. I’ll do that but I’ve got to go now. I’ll post back when I’ve been able to do it.

OK.

[system]

A big improvement. I didn’t do a clean install of Avast 7 when it became available a few weeks ago, and just let it update automatically. Is it possible elements of version 6 may have remained that caused conflicts? Just a hunch.

[Asyn]

@n01clueless post:31

A big improvement.

Good.

[system]

@n01clueless post:3

Vista SP2 32bit. Comodo firewall. Was wondering if there might be any conflicts but can’t think of any. Windows firewall and Defender are both disabled, and I can’t think of any changes that might have caused this problem.

I think there are way too many programs starting up while booting up

[system]

@n01clueless post:31

A big improvement. I didn’t do a clean install of Avast 7 when it became available a few weeks ago, and just let it update automatically.

Yes, and the only way to get rid of that is to do a clean uninstall/install. Make sure you have the download file for Avast 7.0.1426 on your HDD where you can find it. Uninstall BOTH versions of v.6 and v.7 using the Avast Uninstaller Tool http://www.avast.com/uninstall-utility, follow the directions, and reboot in between each uninstall of each version of uninstalling. Then install v.7.0.1426.

In the meantime, look at your Start Up menu and “Disable” (not delete) any non-essential items that are not needed at start up.

If you don’t already have CCleaner http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner/builds on your machine to clean it up, put it on there. It is free and removes unused files (cache, temporary Internet files, etc.) from your system, allowing Windows to run faster and freeing up valuable hard disk space. It also cleans traces of your online activities such as your Internet history. Additionally it contains a fully featured registry cleaner. I recommend the “Slim Version” (scroll down) since it has no toolbars and is lighter on your machine; it should be available in a week since they just came out with a newer version of the other builds. I use it every time I sign off the Internet.

You can also defrag your machine with any free defrag software like Defragler (you can find it at filehippo.com) to also clean up your machine to speed things along.

Let us know if these suggestions help.

[system]

Thanks SafeSurf. I already do most of what you suggest. I’m a big fan of CCleaner and use it regularly (several times a week), along with Auslogics defragger (about once a month). I only have Avast, Comodo firewall and WinPatrol in start up. I did a clean install of Avast and the time from entering my PC password to a fully functioning desktop is now much quicker (seconds instead of minutes).

The only problem remaining is the slow boot time from power on until I’m asked for my password, which tends to be around 150 seconds, sometimes longer, but I don’t think this is anything to do with Avast.

[system]

@n01clueless post:35

The only problem remaining is the slow boot time from power on until I’m asked for my password, which tends to be around 150 seconds, sometimes longer, but I don’t think this is anything to do with Avast.

PuranDefrag (free) has a boot defag utility which will probably cue that for you.

[system]

I used Defraggler’s version of the same thing and it seems to have worked. The boot time warning messages in event viewer have disappeared for the moment. Hope I haven’t spoken too soon.

[system]

I spoke too soon. Boot time still around 15 secs.

[system]

And you’ve already disabled your non-essential start up’s?

Edit: Spoke too soon…I just saw it in your response.

[system]

As a last resort, you can always go to Avast Settings > Troubleshooting > Load Avast services after other system services, but you may risk not being protected while this is being done.