The Avast service Avastsvc.exe permanently consumes 50% of my CPU:
Avast version: 2014.9.0.2021
Os: Win XP-Pro SP3
Problem seem to have started after a software update from Avast.
I already followed earlier advice from this forum: uninstall, clean,… reinstall. Problem reoccurs anyhow. Any ideas what to do? (Or should I just by a decent program?)
Best regards.
How did you perform the clean install ?
Make sure the windows firewall and windows defender are turned off, Avast does not always turn them off automatically on my computers.
There is no windows defender on Win-XP 
Not everyone reading this runs XP so the information is to turn off other firewalls and antivirus/malware software is still relevant to the solution for others.
It doesn’t matter what os others are using.
It is about what Kris is using and the problem he has.
Kris is using XP.
There is no Windows defender in it.
And avast and the windows firewall in xp work together without any problem at all.
Not that I recommend the XP firewall since it only checks incoming traffic and not outgoing.
I did the clean install as recommended. Shutting down the network (removing the LAN cable) stops Avast from misbehaviour. It starts consuming lots of CPU a short while after reinserting the cable although there is no noticable network traffic (0%)
Ok, let’s see if we can find something suspicious.
Follow the instructions and ATTACH the logs to your next post please:
https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=53253.0
If the avast tray icon is rotating, it is scanning something (avastSvc.exe in Task Manager), which would have a resultant increase in CPU and RAM whilst scanning.
Is the tray icon rotating whilst this increase in CPU is occurring ?
I don’t see any increase of CPU or RAM use in avast 9.0.2021 with my XP Pro system, CPU Intel Core2Duo E8300/ 4GB Ram.
What is your CPU and RAM on this system ?
Hi David,
The Avast tray icon is NOT rotating in this situation.
Some system details you requested: RAM 2GB, of which ca. 45% is in use when the problem is ‘active’ CPU: Intel Core2 DUO CPU E7500 @ 2.93GHz
Remark: your chaptas are very difficult to read (even for a human being)
When the CPU is up but the avast icon is static (default setting is to rotate when scanning), it isn’t scanning; it sounds more like the system has locked in some way. Why and how to track it down is the big question.
Your CPU and RAM is pretty adequate, so when this occurs what other processes also have CPU activity ?
Have you changed any of the default setting on avast ?
It may well be worth using the ‘Restore factory defaults’ in avastUI > Settings > Troubleshooting - ensure both check boxes are checked and click the Reset now button.
Have you ever had another AV installed on the system, if so what and how was it removed ?
EDIT: You will be pleased to hear that the anti-spam measure (captcha) is only for the first three posts.
I found this a bit of a strange remark. Is it a comment on the formatting of the forum or a statement about how much David is writing, or what? Not trying to stir up trouble here, but just genuinely curious about what you mean.
EDIT: Aw heck, never mind, I read David’s response and saw that you mean Captchas. Sorry. Carry on. 
-Noel
In any case, Captchas are only for the first three posts by a new member. It is an anti-spamming measure and helps to prevent bot spamming. After the first three posts, a new member will be able to post normally. Sorry for the inconvenience, but necessary.