Restart request without program update

Hi!

I got a restart system request by Avast, but only the virus database update option is turned on. The program update is turned off. How can this be?

Thanks!

Kvant

Operating system restart needed by avast message - First check the contents of the C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\Setup\setup.log file, which should show you why it thinks the reboot is needed.

This could be solved, in some systems, by deleting the file C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\Setup\reboot.txt

I’ve reinstalled Avast, so I cannot see that log file. I just wanted to know is it possible for Avast to ask for a restart if the program update is turned off and the virus update on. It was kind of creepy to see that message (I’ve noticed one other thing in one other program changed too, so I came to suspect that someone hacked into my computer).

The virus database updates normally don’t require computer restart. However, in very special cases, a virus database update might actually include a program update as well (in which case, the computer restart would indeed be required). I believe it was your case.

I should probably explain what “in very special cases” means. Some time ago, we have found some limits (you can call it “bugs”) in avast! code which would make avast! stop working when the number of records in virus database reaches specific number (well, it’s a bit more complicated than that, but it doesn’t really matter now). We fixed the problems, of course, and included the fix in one of the program updates.
Right now, we are very close to this “limit” (regarding the number of viruses). Even though the fixed version of the program has been available for quite some time now, however, there are still quite a lot of users who use older versions; so, we can either stop adding new viruses (which wouldn’t be very wise), or somehow make the users of old avast! versions - that are still out there - to update to the fixed one. So, that’s what happening right now… some of the old versions were updated during an ordinary virus database update.

Hope this explains it.

I think this explains it. Thanks a lot! Top notch program and top notch and clever support! You rule.

If this was the case after a reboot did avast continue to request reboots ?

Welcome to the forums.

Thank you for your welcome.

No, it did not request further reboots.

Sounds like what Igor mentioned was the cause for the reboot request, so no further action required.

Stick around and browse the forums, especially the sticky topics at the top of each of the forums. They provide a wealth of information to help you get the best from avast.