Latest version causing blue screen

Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security
1

Updated my free Avast to the latest version today. Ever since I have been getting a blue screen crash (not seen that for years!) shortly after booting up. Tried disabling Zone Alarm but no effect. The only way of keeping the machine running was to uninstall Avast completely while in safe mode, then rebooting. Any advice please?

Running Windows XP SP3, Firefox, McAfee Security Scan

2

I read somewhere on the forum earlier today someone else with Zonealarm had issues as well, he solved it by removing Zonealarm.

3

From ZDenek (avast team):

Hallo, we have discovered an issue in new WebShield implementation. This is probably reason of your problems. We are preparing fix for that.

Meanwhile you can try to switch to old WebShield implementation. To do that, please
Go to C:\programdata\avast software\avast directory
Find the WebShield.ini, file and add following lines:

[General]
UseStreamFilter=0

Now restart „avast! Antivirus“ service, or reboot.


That could solve it.

ps: You may already have a hardware firewall in your router/modem. If you have, there is no need to have a software one as well.

4

Thanks Eddy and craigb. I have uninstalled Zonealarm and everything is fine. But I will try the webshield change and see if Zonealarm works with that.

5

Well, I changed the webshield.ini file, rebooted, downloaded Zonealarm Free firewall, rebooted, and got the same crash.

My router appears to have a firewall (SPI) so maybe I don’t need Zonealarm anyway.