Hello, I have a very weird problem with Avast! Home edition: when I install Avast! with the “Standard Protection” component unchecked every time my Windows boots the “avast! antivirus” service hangs for a few minutes before starting therefore slowing down all the other services and applications launch. Since Windows is unusable until Avast! starts this is very annoying.
This happens ONLY when I install Avast! without that component, if I instead install avast and then turn off permanently the Standard Protection everything works as it should (I’m using this as a workaround).
I’ve verified this to happen on clean Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 (the Windows version I’m using) installs on different hardware configurations, including Virtual Machines, with no other drivers or applications installed but I think this happens on all Windows versions. I hope that other people in these forums will try to reproduce the issue to see if it’s specific to the windows version I’m using or if it happens on all versions.
It is not a component but the antivirus itself. You’re not protected when you disable the Standard Shield. Did you have any other antivirus in the past? Do you have a firewall or other security program?
The AV seems to work fine without installing it. I’m using only web and mail scan and both work fine (tested with EICAR) without it, the only problem I have is the boot that is slowed down however the other components work fine.
No, as I said this also happened on clean Windows installs. The installs were made from original, untampered (no nLite, hotfix integrations) Windows CDs, with no other drivers or applications installed including antiviruses, firewalls or security programs. I’ve also noticed that this issue doesn’t repeat on Vista.
Ok, but, any malware will be able to run in your computer as you’ve disable the core of the antivirus, the resident. Email and web traffic will be scanned but any file downloaded (archive file) or from USB, floppy, etc. will be able to contaminate your computer.
I have exactly the same problem since last update.
When I install the old program it works Ok, but when it updates to the last version, Windows XP SP2 takes more than 5 minutes to start after login in. Nothing appears on the screen, only wallpaper. Task manager is unavailable also.
If uninstall avast, all is Ok and windows XP starts all the processes in 30 seconds (usual time).
An interaction with another program.
Maybe the firewall (which one do you use?), maybe another security program.
Did you use any other antivirus before avast?
I’m using ZoneAlarm, I will try to uninstall it and then test.
No other antivirus has been installed on this new windows installation. I’ve been using Avast and Zonealarm for the last 2 years and i’ve never had a problem until last avast’s update. Avast always ask about disabling something that may cause problems with zonealarm (I don’t remember what) and i always disable it.
I’m going to try to disable zonealarm and see what happens.
