Hi guys. New poster here, Avast User for two years. Recently found the forums when looking for an issue with dell laptops and a recent update. I don’t think the issues I’ve got now are related, since I was using the earlier version I believe to avoid the problem with dell laptops.
However, had a computer scare (and while it SEEMS to be functioning) - I want a place I can go to if it happens again, thus, posting here, dunno if this is the right location to speak of such things. I tend to panic when things don’t go right.
Running Windows Vista, Avast 5.1.874 at present. Am running a full system scan to look for a culprit, but not finding anything (yet!)
Anyway, I was playing Guild Wars when my Laptop froze up completely. I had to hard-shutdown and reboot, and then it was shutting off a few minutes after boot each time (First firefox would freeze, then explorer, and it’d just sit there.) - I system restored to 2/18, that didn’t fix, but then I undid the restore, it still didn’t fix. I rebooted it, though, and now it seems stable. I’m a little scared, though. I tend to be paranoid about my computer. Anything else I can do to help you guys help me?
Firstly the latest version of avast is 5.1.889, so you have an old version and not a lot of benefit in fault finding in an old version (I know you may have a problem with the Dell). So I would suggest a program update as a start point.
Or if you are not of feint heart, you might want to try the latest avast 6.0.986 beta. This is looking relatively stable right now and version 6.0.x started to have fixed relating to the issues in avast 5.1.889. There will be no further 5.1 updates, so 5.1.889 will be the last on the 5.1 version stream before avast 6.0 when it is released as a regular program update.
It would however, be best to do a clean install (uninstall avast 5.1, reboot, install avast 6 beta, reboot), if you go down this path as installing avast 6 beta over 5.1 doesn’t appear to be working 100%.
Whilst it should be OK, there is always a risk involved in running beta software. But it should be relatively easy to rectify it, I don’t know what you do in the way of backup and recovery is should you have to revert back. Whilst you could create a new restore point before doing this, I don’t consider system restore 100% either.
I use drive imaging software that can make an exact image of my partition/hard disk (weekly), which be recovered easily, this is something that I feel everyone should have, saved my a** on numerous occasions and none virus or avast beta related related.
So if you aren’t happy to proceed on the beta that is understandable if things are working right now. Hopefully it shouldn’t be too long before avast 6.0 is released as a regular program update.
I’m DLing the beta right now, and got the clear file. I’m sitting here in Safe Mode, (it seems not to be crashing…) I’m sitting on the edge of my nerves. I wish I knew good software to do that :\ I’m nervous, it’s at 45% dl’d now.
You think Avast will fix this weird startup/ freeze issue? I don’t know that it’s the virusscaner to be honest - I’ve had this version for a few days. The last windows update was 2/18, and it’s been working fine until about an hour and a half ago…
Well I honestly can’t say as we haven’t determined what that was, what it should do is limit/eliminate the possible issues with some Dell laptops in 5.1.889, which was why you didn’t want to update.
Then it may be possible to get to the bottom of the freezing if it still occurs.
When I normally boot my PC, I get a blank screen after inputting password.
To advance (This is just started today, after the crash) I have to (Ctl-Alt-Del) and end the ‘DSupdate.exe’ process (Dell Datasafe, but we’ve been deactivating it every time we run the PC)
Is it a wise idea to simply uninstall that? This doesn’t crash in Safe Mode, I’m currently in Safe Mode.
Except for having to ctl-alt-del and enx explorer.exe, then run explorer.exe to get it to boot. the DSupdate.exe didn’t appear on the list this time, though.
First try this from the avastUI, Real-time Shields, Behaviour Shield, Expert Settings, uncheck the ‘Monitor the system for unauthorised modifications’ and reboot.
I don’t know if the Dell DataSafe might make any changes to the system in order to protect data.
It might also be worth checking the behaviorshield.txt file (c:\ProgramData\Avast Software\Avast\report\BehaviorShield.txt to see if there are any entries for the Dell datasafe, etc. If so copy and paste the full path into the Trusted process of the behaviour shield.
Edit, just noticed that avast 6.0.989 has just been released, see http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=71639. You should be able to get this by doing a manual program update.
I left the laptop off for a while, restarted it, and it booted up and seemed to work fine (except when I run Guild Wars)
I went to make a Restore Point, and found that one had been made shortly after the computer had been turned on labeled ‘windows updates’ – this seems very strange to me.
I’m uninstalling and reinstalling guild wars to see if it works, now.