Heya
I’m having trouble getting settings to stay changed within avast5. I’m trying to get “Load avast! services only after loading other system services” to stay checked and the “Use special graphic effects” to stay unchecked. I’ve only just upgraded to 5 today and my computer has been freezing within the first couple minutes at startup. I’ve tried changing them both in and outside of safe mode and it’s not working.
Running XP Home SP2, Athlon XP 3000+ 2.16 GHz, 640 MB Ram
Other than avast I have Windows Firewall running. I’ve tried installing sp3 before and have had to roll back the changes because my computer freaked out on me. I’ve reinstalled avast 4.8 for now.
The whole computer freezing thing is my biggest problem with avast5. I’m pretty sure it has to do with the need to delay avast loading until after the other system services are done, but no matter what I do I can’t apply the proper setting through the gui. Is there a manual way to change it, like through a config file? Is it a malfunction in the self defense module maybe?
After a fresh install with avast5, on startup when the start/taskbar loads up if I hover the mouse over the bar I get the busy/hourglass cursor, I’ve waited for almost 10 minutes, with no change, and by then everything else on the screen besides the mouse is frozen. I can’t even get the task manager to come up and see what’s going on, The only way to restart is via the power button. Then I booted the computer into safe mode to reconfigure avast5 settings but they don’t stick. They just don’t save when I click ok.
And I am doing everything through an admin account.
Something is wrong, and this has nothing to do with Avast 5. Keep in mind that SP2 is not supported by MS and for security you really should upgrade to SP3.
To load Avast after other items have booted up, there is a way to set this up manually in Avast 5. Open the GUI > Settings (upper right corner) > Troubleshooting > click the bottom box “Load Avast services only after loading other system services.”
Prior to doing this, you will need to uninstall and do a CLEAN install of Avast:
Next, since you have had problems with trying to install SP2 to SP3, you need to check for malware. Sometimes another tool can help detect things that normal AV’s cannot pick up. Check your computer for malware with Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware (MBAM).
· Download free http://www.malwarebytes.org/ for an on-demand scanner.
· Double Click mbam-setup.exe to install the application.
· After install, click update so you have latest database before scanning.
· Under Settings:
o General: Automatically Save File After Scan Completes is checked off
o Scanner Settings: Check all boxes
o Updater: Download and install update if available is checked off
· Once the program has loaded, select “Perform FULL Scan”, then click Scan.
· The scan may take some time to finish, so please be patient.
· When the disinfection scan is complete, a log will appear in Notepad and you may be prompted to Restart. (See Extra Note).
· Click the “remove selected” button to quarantine anything found. You will find the infection details under the Quarantine tab.
· The log is automatically saved by MBAM and can be viewed by clicking the Logs tab in MBAM.
· Copy & Paste the entire report in your next reply.
If MBAM encounters a file that is difficult to remove, you will be presented with 1 of 2 prompts – Click OK to either and let MBAM proceed with the disinfection process; If asked to restart the computer, please do so immediately.
In addition, the XP firewall offers only a weak one-way protection and I highly suggest a third-party firewall (FW) with 2-way protection. Some FW’s that work well with Avast without conflicts are Online_Armor; PC_Tools_Firewall_Plus (no AV); Comodo (no AV or D+), and Outpost. People have reported problems with ZA and Ashampoo on the forum, however I suggest you do your own research on FW’s or trial them for yourself on your system to see if you like it and for compatibility.
Please post back with your results so that we can assist you further. Thank you.
Thanks for the instructions. I’ve managed to get avast working now.
Here’s also the report from mbam:
Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware 1.46
www.malwarebytes.org
Database version: 4367
Windows 5.1.2600 Service Pack 2
Internet Explorer 8.0.6001.18702
7/29/2010 7:40:36 PM
mbam-log-2010-07-29 (19-40-36).txt
Scan type: Full scan (C:|D:|E:|F:|G:|)
Objects scanned: 576591
Time elapsed: 3 hour(s), 8 minute(s), 41 second(s)
Memory Processes Infected: 0
Memory Modules Infected: 0
Registry Keys Infected: 0
Registry Values Infected: 0
Registry Data Items Infected: 0
Folders Infected: 1
Files Infected: 0
Memory Processes Infected:
(No malicious items detected)
Memory Modules Infected:
(No malicious items detected)
Registry Keys Infected:
(No malicious items detected)
Registry Values Infected:
(No malicious items detected)
Registry Data Items Infected:
(No malicious items detected)
Folders Infected:
C:\Program Files\RelevantKnowledge (Spyware.MarketScore) → Quarantined and deleted successfully.
Files Infected:
(No malicious items detected)
Now that your system is disinfected (MBAM is a nice on-demand tool; just remember to always UPDATE prior to running a scan), run an Avast Boot-time scan to make sure you are clean. What version of Avast did you install?
If all is well, you should update your SP2 to SP3 since MS is no longer supporting SP2 and this will give you better security.
You also need to think about a good firewall besides the Windows FW for XP (see my previous suggestions).
I’ve got the latest version of Avast 5 installed now. I’ll see about upgrading to sp3 tommorow when I’ve got time. I do have an external firewall, but as far as what’s running actively on the computer is just avast and the xp firewall. Thanks for all your help. Avast 5 runs a lot more smoothly compared to 4.
Did your Avast Boot-time scan come up clean as well?
Regarding your firewall (FW), as long as you have something other than the XP FW, you should be fine as the XP FW only provides 1-way protection and you need 2-way protection.
Also consider cleaning up your machine with CCleaner http://www.filehippo.com/download_ccleaner/ is a freeware system optimization, privacy and cleaning tool. It removes unused files (cache, temporary Internet files, etc.) from your system - allowing Windows to run faster and freeing up valuable hard disk space. It also cleans traces of your online activities such as your Internet history. Additionally it contains a fully featured registry cleaner.
To tune up your machine, if you don’t already have a disk defrag besides the one that came with the machine, consider free Puran_Defrag http://www.puransoftware.com/, which will free space and also do a boot defrag.
Glad to hear Avast is working again. 
Remember to update MBAM prior to running it in the future as an on-demand scanner. Keep your Avast definitions up to date as well as your MS Updates.
Be aware that the CCleaner install includes the Yahoo! toolbar. Better to download the slim version which doesn’t include any unwanted add-ons.
Or just uncheck the toolbar while installing… 
asyn
For those of us on broadband, download size isn’t important. For those on slow dial-up or metered service, it makes a difference.
3,340 kb - ccsetup234.exe
1,150 kb - ccsetup234_slim.exe
The download of the one containing the Yahoo! Toolbar is 3 times the size. Also, way too many people simply click thru the prompts when installing a recommended software, and then wind up wondering where the toolbar came from. When possible, the downloads without add-ons should be linked to. When not, the poster should warn about possible unwanted add-ons.(PUPS)
It is the responsibility of the user to read the EULA and properly READ what they are installing PRIOR to clicking. This is considered a safe practice, as has been discussed on this forum as well as other security forums, and custom installs are actually safer…to NOT install toolbars (which often contain adware).
I agree that ultimately the user has the responsibility. However, there is no need to recommend a download that includes a toolbar when there is one available from the publisher that doesn’t contain it.
Sorry, but that’s not really relevant, imo…!
If you should feel the need, open a new topic for discussion…
asyn
rune13,
Let us know if your problem is resolved or if you need additional assistance. Thank you.
@ Gopher John, There have been previous threads on this forum under General Topics about this and you are welcome to comment there rather than in this OP’s thread. Thank you.
Perhaps a forum stickie about PUPS add-ons for many programs would be appropriate. Calendar of Updates has such a stickie. My original posting in this thread was to let everyone know about the PUP and give an alternative download. I honestly didn’t think this would offend anyone. I’m done in this thread.