system
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Windows will go into PIO mode automatically after a certain number of disc access events it reads as errors (I believe the number is six). This seems to happen with bad CDs/DVDs especially.
I don’t see how Avast could have been responsible for this either – I’d assumed it was, because the problems started after the update.
I still think it’s strange that 1) Avast turned itself off and 2) the sound icon disappeared from the taskbar – at the same time Windows switched to PIO mode.
If nothing else, I’ve spent the last few days cleaning up my computer, it’s running as fast as it did when it was brand new (four years ago).