Can I keep using Avast 4.8?

Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security
1

Can I keep using Avast 4.8? :-
“Why would you want to?” I hear you ask. ???

I tried Avast 5 about 6 months ago but it slowed my computer down too much!
I am running Windows XP SP3 on a Pentium 4, 2.6Ghz.
This computer is not the only one I have but it’s still great for many things including web surfing.

I have been using Avast for a long time and would like to continue.
Will the program still work, only without database updates or will it stop altogether?
Is there a another version of Avast 4 which will keep working?

I’m sure this must have been answered before but I couldn’t find an answer by searching.

Thanks!

2

I am asking the same… My computer can´t cope with a new version 5.1.
and converting is too hard for some users :frowning:

3

No problem on my XP Pro system.
How much RAM does the system have ???

4

Use 5.1 on XP SP3…!!
It’s even lighter than the old 4.8…
asyn

5

Well 6 months is an eternity in computer terms.

Avast 5.0 has been out for close to a year now, 5.0.677 being the last 5.0 version. Avast 5.1.889 has now been released, so I think it is time to look again.

6

I have a 2.6Ghz Pentium 4 with 1.5Gig of ram
Running XP Home SP3

Has Avast 5 really improved in 6 months to take less resources?
Most software (Especially windows) seem to get bigger and slower with every update. ???

7

Please read:
Avast! Version 5.0 is here!!!
January 19th, 2010
http://blog.avast.com/2010/01/19/avast-version-5-0-is-here

Almost 1 year ago and now with avast! 5.1.889 that has improved greatly.

How to make the Full System Scan 6x faster in 10 days
http://blog.avast.com/2010/04/25/how-to-make-the-full-system-scan-6x-faster-in-10-days

8

I have been running Avast 5.1.889 on my XP Desktop with far less Ram then that and have had no problems. As well my Processor is only a Celeron and speeds are not unberarably slow.
As you can see from my signature, Both my Computers run Avast Pro along with a layered stucture of other security software with NO ISSUES at all.
I don’t see that you should have any concerns about the latest version of Avast.Which BTW is far far stronger and effective than Version 4!!!
You should upgrade :wink:

9

We have given you the information now it is time for you to act upon it. I would suggest before someone throws the switch on avast 4.8, which is likely to be in the not to distant future.

Avast can’t continue to support two versions as they both have different VPS update streams and that is an overhead they want to remove so that they can develop for the future avast 5.1 and not too far away avast 6.0. They can’t support avast 4.8 indefinitely.

Avast is certainly not in the same categorisation as Microsoft windows, surely your time with avast will have shown you that.

10

Thanks for the advice guys! I’m a bit busy at the mo’ but when I try the upgrade I’ll report back on the results.

11

An on-demand only feature on 5.1+ would make all these concerns a bit less painful :wink:

12

You’re welcome.

13

I rather doubt that is going to happen, as avast is designed to be a resident on-access antivirus.

14

I guess Avast no longer wants lovers of 4.8 or those who like on-demand :frowning:
I do get the on-access bit for the vast majority of users, I have enough resources to run it, but
the way I use the system, along with strict other lockdowns means I don’t need the
“drain on resources” on-access feature.

15

Well avast 4.8 was designed as on-access also and even though you stop services there would have been low level drivers running.

But the hacks that people employed in 4.8 either don’t work or don’t have the desired effect that Vlk mentioned in your other topic.

16

Yes I know there were low level drivers running even when the services weren’t. I could live with that and those drivers didn’t take anywhere a big hit as the services did.

17

In my opinion, avast! improved a lot from the version 4.8 to version 5.0 and now from version 5.0 to version 5.1.
Some of you think that avast! 5.0 and avast! 5.1 it’s the same thing but no… the main change it’s on the engine.
About avast! running on my PC… does not affect in any negative way and the scan only takes 15% ~ 20% of my CPU.
Now… the only question mark here is: and what about avast! 6.0? Well… just a question of waiting, huh? :slight_smile:

18

But Avast 5.1 doesnt work properly and many know it but for some bizarre reason Avast tech seems to keep sweeping this under the carpet and completely blanking those who are having these issues.

  1. Put PC into sleep mode. Reawaken. Avast 5 as good as locks the entire PC. Cursor spins, but nothing happens, then its freezes. Only way out, reboot.

  2. Manually turn off Avast 5’s shields for a short time then turn them back on. Cursor spins, but nothing happens, then its freezes. Again, Avast 5 as good as locks the entire PC until you reboot.

This never happened with v4 ever. It also never happened with 5.0 but as soon as I put 5.1 on this intolerable situation arises. Many of us have tried all and sundry to remedy this but the solutions offered are poor.

Somewhere along the line Avast dropped the ball. And from reading many of the problem threads on these boards they dont give a fig about their customers issues esp. when it involves criticism of product.

Its a real shame as Id been a user of Avast for over 5 yrs. I really liked earlier Avast versions but this v5 problem is starting to drive me nuts. Dont want give up Avast but what choice do I have? I need an AV that works properly all the time. At the moment Avast 5 isnt it.

19

The only way will be helping troubleshooting.
Other security program interfering? Old avast installation? Other antivirus in the past? ThreatFire? Firewall?

20

Well it seems Ive fixed my Avast 5 problems. Thank god for that!

Waking PC from sleep mode no longer freezes up machine.

Turning off shields then switching them back on no longer freezes up machine.

Oh and Ive also reupdated back to 5.1 and its still all good.

Fix :

Added all the Malwarebytes AM locations to Avast 5s exclusions. (found elsewhere on here)
Turned off Avast Self Defense Module (not recommended but it works for me)

Im glad Ive not got to hunt for another AV. Avast is good at catching virus problems, always has been.