Latest update causes extreme slowdown

Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security
1

I’ve been using Avast Antivirus Professional for almost three months without a problem. However, this morning I received notification that it had updated its virus database, and ever since my computer has been running slower than my old 500MHz Celeron. My mouse began moving slowly and jumping instead of having a nice fluid movement, basic graphics became jerky and choppy, and programs are taking 3-4 times as long to load. Avast now takes almost 2 minutes to check all items in memory and load the scanning interface.

At first I though it might be malware, so I did a thorough scan with Avast, MS Spyware, and SpyBot, and made sure ZoneAlarm Professional was working properly. When those checked out, I did several online scans, including McAfee…nothing. Since Avast was the only program downloaded/intalled/changed in the past two days, I disabled it and everything returned to normal. I started in SafeMode, and everything was fine until I tried to load Avast. My computer then reinitiated Operation Slowdown. I then uninstalled Avast and used file and registry cleaners to delete any and all remnents of Avast and restarted…all’s well. I reinstalled Avast using the installer I had downloaded a few months ago and restarted…all’s fine. Then the latest update was installed and once again Operation Slowdown began.

Note: By disabling Standard Shield and leaving the rest of the shields active, the problem is resolved. Thus, the issue is with that particular shield.

I’m not sure if anyone else has experienced this problem, but it has really gotten on my nerves. Avast is by far the best antivirus software I have ever had, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. However, the fact that I am unable to run it on my computer without it harming my computer is quite frustrating. Does anyone have any sugestions aside from reinstalling McAfee Internet security Suite?

Thanks,
John

Avast Information:
Avast! version 4.6.691 Professional
VPS version 0533-0 (8/15/2005)

Specs:
*WinXP Pro (2x), WinXP64
*AMD Athlon64 3300+ (2.4GHz)
*1GB Kingston DDR PC3200
*2 Seagate 160GB Ultra DMA HDs
*VisionTek Xtasy Radeon 9550 (128MB AGP)
*Aspire 520W PSU

2

A vps update does not change the way Avast is working.
Therfor it is not possible that the latest vps update causes this behaviour.

I reinstalled Avast using the installer I had downloaded a few months ago
This means that you had a old Avast version since there has been released a newer version not too long ago.
Note: By disabling Standard Shield and leaving the rest of the shields active, the problem is resolved. Thus, the issue is with that particular shield.
What are your setings in standard shield? Does changing them make any difference? What other security (related) software do you have installed?
However, the fact that I am unable to run it on my computer without it harming my computer is quite frustrating.
Avast doesn't harm your system!

Some more questions:
Does changing the settings in standard shield make any difference?

  • If so, tell us the details.
    Does disabling one of the other providers make a difference/solve this?
    Does the ‘slowdown’ happen all the time or just when using a certain application/games?
3

Eddy,

Sorry about the confusion, but I made a typo in my previous post…it should have read “I reinstalled Avast using the installer I had downloaded a few weeks ago.” (I downloaded the latest installer shortly after version 4.6.691 was released.)

Since I installed Avast, I’ve had Standard Shield set at high sensitivity (without a problem until now), but since you mentioned it, I lowered it to normal and everything returned to normal. I then used custom settings to find that the problem only persists when it is set to scan all files (not just those with the default extension set). Also, I watched the counter while Standard Shield was set to high sensitivity…the scanned count keeps increasing, but the last file scanned remains stuck on C:\Program Files.…\errors.log. Is there any way to find out the full directory of that file, as I have dozens of “errors.log” files in the Program Files folder?

I run ZoneAlarm 6.0 Professional (Windows Firewall is disabled), MS Antispyware, and AdAware Professional 24/7. I also do weekly scans with SpyBot. Then, if I suspect something, I run a host of online scans followed by a thorough scan in Safe Mode.

The “slowdown” occurs no matter if I’m (attempting) playing a game, browsing the web, or typing a Word doument. I know it is Avast’s latest virus database because the problem began as soon as the blue notification poped up and I heard the phrase your virus database has been updated. The second I started moving the mouse to click the notification, followed by the box providing more information, the problem began. (Also, as mentioned before, completely removing Avast, reinstalling, and using the virus database included with the installer “fixed” the problem.) However, I restricted the start-up programs using msconfig just to be sure…only enabling Avast caused the problem to return. And, like I said before, disabling Standard Shield (or reducing it to “normal” sensitivity) “cures” the problem.

As far as speed overall, my computer is more than capable of browsing the web and having Avast running at the same time. I clean out TEMP files/cookies, defragment the hard drive, etc on a weekly basis. Plus, everything was fine until the virus database update was installed…only then did the computer slowed to a crawl. Granted, I was exagerating when I said “harming my computer,” but while Avast’s Standard Shield (at high sensitivity) is running, it’s nearly impossible to use the computer…it’s just not worth it.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,
John

P.S. I just noticed that since the latest virus database update, whenever I have Standard Shield set to high sensitivity and try download anything, I receive the following alert: Title: “Avast Behavior Blocker Event” Text: “Open File For Writing” (in large bold font) followed by the file’s location on the server. (And, of course, requesting me to select allow/deny) Then, after the download is complete, I receive a similar alart asking me if I want to allow or deny the deletion of the file, although it doesn’t state exactly what file is to be deleted. I’ve had Standard Shield set to high sensitivity all this time, but never received those alerts before. I now receive them for any download I attempt…including from Microsoft and download.com. Again, any ideas?

4

It doesn’t have anything to do with “High” or “Standard” sensitivity - you must have turned on the Behavior Blocker (on the third page of Standard Shield configuration). Just go to the settings and uncheck the blocked events.