Windows XP crashes on Virus Scanning

General Topics
1

Hi all, I’ve just installed Avast 4.7 Home Edition. When I perform a disk scan Windows crashes. Everything freezes (screen, modem), keyboard and mouse does not respond to any command and I’m forced to reset my computer (hard mode). I use Windows XP SP2. Processor is an AMD Athlon XP3000 2.10GHZ. My pc has 1GB RAM.
Please can you help me? Don’t hesitate to ask all informations you need.
Thank you.
Dago71

2

Hi dago71,
Welcome to the forum.
What other AV program do you have or did you have on your computer before you installed avast! ??

3

I had Zone Alarm Internet Suite but I uninstalled it before installing Avast.

4

Does it happen right at the beginning of the scan, or later - possibly at a random place of the scan?

5

Hi,
first of all thank you for your fast responses. I’m proud to be an Avast user for these reasons too.
Problem occurs after few minutes (approx. 4-5 minutes) since virus scanning has been launched. I tried to change settings (only a folder vs entire hd, deep vs lite scanning) but nothing changed. I don’t know if this can help but my locale installation is italian.
Thanks again.
Dago 71.

6

Well, the freeze of this kind (where even the mouse cursor doesn’t move) looks more like a hardware problem to me. Is it possible that your computer (=CPU, RAM, or maybe the graphics adapter) is overheating? You may try to check the coolers…

Or, do you think it happens always at the same place (file, folder) of the scan?

7

I confess I thought to this possibility. These days are very warm and my pc is turned on all day long. I only turn off it during night. I’ll try to execute a virus scan in the morning next time and let you know the results.
Thank you.
Dago71

8

I did a virus scan this morning and my Hard Drive switched off and on once while scanning the C:\Documents and Settings Area.

9

Well, Igor was right. I’ve turned off my computer and after two hours I’ve turned it on and launched antivirus. Everything has worked fine. Avast has completed successfully its task and my computer hasn’t crashed. So it’s very possible it was an overheat problem to cause crash.
This discussion can be closed.
Thank you all!! ;D ;D ;D

10

There a number of freeware tools to let you know what your system temps are, this should confirm your suspicions, PC Wizard 2006, Everest for Home http://www.lavalys.com/.

11

Hi davidR, lavalys has decided to discontinue its free product (business asks for sacrifices!). Thank you.

12

Hi dago71
SIW (System Information for Windows) is free and IMHO outshines Everest
which is now only a commercial product unless you use an older version.
You’ll find SIW here:
http://www3.sympatico.ca/gtopala/about_siw.html

13

That is a shame, I’m still using an older version Everest HE 1.51 which had more detailed information than the 2.0 version, so it looks like not only crippling the HE version they have now discontinued it. It may be possible to get an old version (google search, etc.) from the likes of filehippo, (everest HE 2.2 http://www.filehippo.com/download_everest_home/), etc.

14

Everest Home Edition v1.51
http://www.oldversion.com/program.php?n=everesthome

Rgds
Sherri