I have an ongoing problem with Avast since I first installed it. I’m not sure how exactly to describe it, but my computer will seize up for about 5 seconds at a time just before the avast scanner spins around in the toolbar. It’s not every time, but it’s often enough that the problem is going to have me look to another virus protection program if I can’t solve it. I would say it happens several dozen times in the course of an hour. It’s incredibly frustrating. Most often the seize up will be triggered by a simple action like opening a folder, selecting a file, or attempting to executing a program.
I was about ready to switch to another program a few months back when the problem subsided on its own. About a week ago it came back suddenly and with a vengeance. I have absolutely no idea what could have triggered it’s return. Avast may or may not have updated its virus database, but I did not update the software itself.
From what I understand, my Athlon 64 x2 5600+ with 2gb of ram should run Avast without problems.
Is this a known problem and can anything be done about it? I tried searching for it, but I’m not sure what terms to use. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Vista or XP?
Was any other AV installed prior to Avast? This can be a common cause of this sort of thing, especially if it was Norton.
Are the provider settings sensitivities set to normal or high? (If high, try normal.)
It’s possible Norton virus scanner was installed (very briefly) at some time during my current Windows XP installation, I can’t remember. If so, it was removed long before Avast was installed. If this is causing the problem, is there anything I can do to check, and anything I can do to fix?
Also, sensitivities have been set for normal.
I think you misunderstand. This isn’t something that happens once when Windows first boots up. This is something that happens just about every time I go to open a folder, minimize a program, click the address bar to enter a url. Just about anything can set off and it happens over and over again to the point of causing me constantly low level anxiety. I’m constantly thinking it’s only a matter of a few clicks before it will freeze again.
To give a bit more information, it actually hangs a split second after the Avast ball begins to spin. It gets one or two frames into its animation, then–bam–nothing for five seconds. Has this happened to anyone else. This is definitely not normal, right?
Thanks for the suggestions. I followed them but to no avail. The problem is still here. Any other things I can try? I really don’t want to leave Avast but this may be a deal killer.
Do you mean you run the Norton Removal Tool?
The lag - sorry for my first misunderstanding - could due to conflicts (maybe Norton, maybe other antispyware, firewall…). Can you post other softwares you’re running?
Indeed it’s not normal, it’s a pain…
Thanks for the help. Yes, I ran the Norton Removal Tool. I ran it once and it didn’t fix the problem, so I removed Avast, ran the Avast removal tool, then rant the Norton Removal Tool again. At that point, the computer worked fine. Then I installed Avast again and the problem started again.
For my software, I’ve disabled the Windows Firewall, and am running Comodo Firewall Pro and PeerGuardian. However, I’ve tried disabling each of these and the problem doesn’t stop.
And “lag” is probably a better way to describe the problem, thanks. I don’t think I described it that well. The lag is accompanied by a noise like the hard drive is “waking up” if that’s helpful at all.
Actually, my first idea was that it was a problem with the pagesys files, but I’ve eliminated that possibility. I’m fairly certain it’s Avast only that causes it, because when I remove Avast, no problem.
This mixture with avast could be the problem.
PeerGuardian works as a filter and the presence of WebShield and Comodo could have trouble. Maybe you could disable it and test. Or even uninstall it for a while. The development of PG is not much active nowadays… it does not work on Vista.
I’ve tried disabling both Comodo and Peer Guardian before, and it help. I tried it again today to make sure. Both programs have been closed now for several hours, but the lag is strong as ever.
