VRDB Is Hanging Up

I am not computer savy, so when answering this question do so in simple step by step instructions. I am running XP Sp2, and just updated to 4.7.942. This morning when I started my computer it was idle and started VRDB and hungup my computer, this is the first problem I have had with avas which I installed in Sep 06. To make a temporary fix, I set VRDB to disable. I have tried using the Repair function in the Control Panel, Program add/remove section, and had my browser running at the time. Any and all help will be appreciate.

I have no idea why the VRDB hung, but I’m not sure if that is a viable temporary fix.

I have my VRDB generation set for when the screen-saver is running, I don’t use a screen-saver, so it won’t run and I use the manual ‘Generate Now’ option every two weeks (not three as the default duration).

I do this because I’m unsure how the repair function might react with the VRDB generation disabled, it that too somehow had an effect on the repair function. This question has bee asked but no response was given, so I have my doubts as to how the ‘repair’ option would function.

It could be that you have some background process that is conflicting with the ‘VRDB generate when idle,’ though idle in these terms means no mouse or keyboard activity, so something running in the background could be using the cpu cycles. What other security based software do you have ?

Have you tried the manual Generate Now option ?

First, thanks for the promp reply David. The only other security I have running is the internal firewall in the XP Sp2. I use a cable modem and put it in Standby when I am not at my computer, so I feel with the build in security of XP and avast that is sufficient. I tried Generate now, and when I bring Tasmaster up, it indicated that VRDB is hangingup IE (I am running IE7). What would be the security risks if I just keep running avast with the VRDB in disable status? I have been using the Internet for over 8 years and have only had viruse problems twice, the last time was over three years ago.

There are no security implications, just that if the VRDB isn’t being generated (it doesn’t build the database used to repair infected files) then you may not be able to repair files that otherwise be protected by the VRDB process if they became infected.

The VRDB only protects certain files, .exe, dll and other system files, it doesn’t protect data files or all files, it is not a back-up program, so there are going to be many occasions where repair won’t be an option.

Only true virus infection can be repaired, e.g. when a virus infects a file it adds a small part to it, provided that file is one that avast’s VRDB would monitor and you have run the VRDB, then it may be possible to repair the file to its uninfected state.
However, for the most part so called viruses, trojans (adware/spyware/malware, etc.) can’t be repaired because the complete content of the file is malicious.

Trojans generally can’t be repaired (either by the VRDB or avast virus cleaner), because the entire content of the file is malware, so it is either move to chest or delete, move to the chest being the best option (first do no harm). When a file is in the chest it can’t do any harm and you can investigate the infected warning.

My personal feeling is without outbound protection it is just a matter of time before you get hit. Whilst the windows XP firewall is usually good at keeping your ports stealthed (hidden) it provides no outbound protection and you should consider a third party firewall.

Any malware that manages to get past your defences will have free reign to connect to the internet to either download more of the same, pass your personal data (sensitive or otherwise, user names, passwords, keylogger retrieved data, etc.) or open a backdoor to your computer, so outbound protection is essential.

It is your system and obviously your choice.

Thanks for your advice David. For a few years I did use Zone Alarm, but it seemed to slow my system and sometimes caused conflict with the XP. The two times I was aware of a virsus I was running Norton AntiViruse and both times it was a e-mail, and I just send the e-mail to the chest and deleted. If I don’t execute a Trojoan when I first get it, (by opening and attachment to an e-mail I’m thinking it can’t infect me and use my computer to send out to others.

Since you seem very knowledgeable, I’m think about just uninstalling my current avast and downloading an installing a new one, what is your opinion on this?

I assume that the manual Generate Now also failed in the same way ?

First try a repair of avast. Add Remove programs, select ‘avast! Anti-Virus,’ click the Change/Remove button and scroll down to Repair, click next and follow. You need to be on-line to do this.

If that doesn’t work try, uninstall, reboot, run the uninstall utility (see below), reboot, install the latest version, reboot.

Before uninstalling you should download the program so you aren’t on-line with your trousers down.
Download the avast! Uninstall Utility, find it here and save it to your HDD so you can find it later.

To Alwil team:
Is there any command line for VRDB generation and then, when hanged, allow to use Vlk’s Hang Report Tool?

To Jimmy:
Are you sure you’re clean from Norton? I mean, fully uninstalled?

No, no command-line support; you can go to the tray menu and select “Generate VRBD now”, however.

Igor, if with the Disable VRDB Generation ticked does this has an impact on the Repair option being selected on detection. I mean other than if there are no VRDB generations present to support a repair, does ticking the Disable VRDB Generation also disable the repair function ?

No, it doesn’t disable the repair function completely, just limits its “chances” to repair the file.

Thank you.