Avast V10/2015 NG Installer Issues ? (ref: Performance Troubles)

Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security
1

OK, I may have stumbled on something, maybe not…but I’m posting to have the experts try and maybe Avast Team look into.
I posted back when V10 came out my HP DM4 2+Ghz, 4GB RAM system choked and puked on V10 after install.
https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=157648.msg1139706#msg1139706
There are no viruses confirmed on this PC and screams with V9/2014.

I then started to read threads on others having issues.
https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=157998.0
…and good thread on NG
https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=158495.msg1143215#msg1143215
I then downloaded the Intel util to see if my CPU was capable of hardware virtualization.
https://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?DwnldID=7838
Also a link for those reading on how to go into BIOS.
http://www.sysprobs.com/disable-enable-virtualization-technology-bios

SOOOOOOO…I went ahead and did V10 Custom install and unchecked NG…the system ran fine.
So, I checked in BIOS and sure enough the HW Virtualization was DISABLED.
I then did clean uninstall and re-install of V10 and left NG checked, BIOS still DISABLED…bang, system hung.
I then did clean uninstall of V10 and went into BIOS and ENABLED NG…install went fine and NG ran fine…PC OK after few minutes.
So, I throw this out there to the experts…I “think” Avast" installer checks for CPU speed, amount RAM, HDD speed, etc. and also if the CPU is “capable” of HW Virtualization and if so (and NG is checked in installer) it installs. However, I don’t think it either does or is able to check BIOS setting ?..if so, which means there are scenarios even though the CPU is capable BIOS has not enabled it. I have no idea what Avast’s NG code is doing but my guess that in this “scenario” it is trying to run NG in a “software only” (no hardware assist from CPU) mode and any system (even high performance one) will be brought to its knees.

Anyway, I hope this helps or at least something others can test…perhaps even Avast.
I would say if my “theory” is true then Avast’s installer assumptions not including BIOS setting is faulty.

2

OK, interesting…while the Intel tool just detects the CPU is “capable” the MS does check your BIOS.
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/confirmation.aspx?id=592
However, there are some instances (claims) by users that the MS tool said the HW could support yet CPU did not.
Thus, think the lesson here is.

  1. Run Intel Tool on your CPU
  2. Run Microsoft Tool which will check BIOS
  3. Reboot PC and ENABLE in BIOS…may be good to check anyway even if MS says YES.
  4. Do CLEAN install of V10/2015 with NG enabled.
3

This tool also checks CPU HW support. https://www.grc.com/securable.htm

4

I clicked on your links but I’m afraid to use the tools because I’m afraid they might mess up my computer.

5

The links I provided are Intel & Microsoft…they can be trusted (obviously)…I have them on my PCs…no problem.
https://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?DwnldID=7838
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/confirmation.aspx?id=592

I can’t speak for other 3rd party ones mentioned.