Tech: Windows 7 woes - AVG (2011) clash?

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows 7 woes - AVG (2011) clash?
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Dec 10 - 01:16 PM

Bonnie,

I only noticed this thread now. I use Win7, and I've used a couple of different antivirus. I used AVG happily for many years, but it started acting up, primarily slowing the time things took to load. I did a survey of free programs and read reviews at cnet and decided to use Avast. I liked it, but when I switched from XP-Pro to Win7 Ultimate, I found Avast slowed things again.

I now use the enterprise version of the Microsoft Forefront antivirus that they provide through my workplace. I don't think there is a free version of this one. It seems like any antivirus slows things a bit, but when you consider the alternative, a little slower is better than dead. Cnet should provide reviews of fee as well a free software.

Good luck!

SRS

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows 7 woes - AVG (2011) clash?
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 28 Dec 10 - 12:15 PM

Thanks (as usual) for your helpful input, John. I am at the moment trying the let-it-sit-there-and-reboot-itself-continually option (while I use my trusty Mac and the PC and I exchange mutually hostile glares) (yes, yes, I know... but I really do need Windows OS for some work I do).

If I have to reformat the drive it would be a hassle, not a disaster, since it's a new machine so it would mainly just mean reinstalling a lot of stuff. The repair shop I took it to (which isn't where I bought it) is meant to have "solved a problem they found in the Windows OS" (really?) and re-installed the OS, but as I mentioned above, everything was exactly as I had left it, so the drive wasn't reformatted. I don't know enough about computer innards to understand how that works (or doesn't). If I opt for a re-format I really will have to get a professional to do it because I have neither the equipment nor the tech know-how.

Am I right in thinking that there's no point returning the whole computer - which is still under warranty - for exchange, if this problem is embedded in the OS, because it will just happen again with the new one too?

It crashes suddenly while I am using it, repeatedly, within minutes sometimes, and without warning. Whether this is a Windows inbuilt repair mechanism or not, it has made the machine utterly unreliable, hence unusable. And it's new. (BTW, I have tried running it without the battery - that lasted about 10 minutes.)

Is there a way to disable the reboot-to-repair feature? I don't remember being given this as an option, but I bought the computer with the OS pre-installed like most folks do when they get them from a high-street shop. This is clearly a known issue - but if it happened to everyone who uses Windows 7 surely there would be mobs in the streets brandishing flaming torches and pitchforks? (I never knew I had such a violently-inclined imagination until I met Micro$oft...)

Getting it reformatted is going to cost me, and whatever I got done before in the shop has already set me back 120 euro. Should I just take it back to the shop and demand a new one, rather than risk throwing good money after bad?

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows 7 woes - AVG (2011) clash?
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 28 Dec 10 - 11:34 AM

Bonnie -

As noted above you may be seeing "normal Win7 behavior."

Win7 is programmed to reboot to "repair mode" automatically to fix errors it thinks it has found. The reboot could look like a crash. (I haven't seen any comment about what warnings the OS gives when it does a "repair cycle," but it appears that they can be initiated by the machine without your request or permission.)

When it reboots to repair mode, it repairs the first error it finds during the restart and then completes the restart normally. (I haven't seen any information on what "dwell time" may occur while it looks for errors and initiates a restart.)

If another error is found, it is supposed to repeat a reboot to repair mode, but can only repair the first error it finds during that reboot.

The cycle continues. ... and according to some, it continues ... and then it continues. and then ...

One option is to turn the machine on and let it run until it quits rebooting (if that eventually happens for you). It's possible that a problem won't be found unitl a "conflicting program" is opened, so leaving the machine completely alone may not fix everything - using it may be required. Some reboots also may require you to tell the machine it's okay to restart, so you'll have to watch often enough to see if it's "hung" itself.

A second suggested choice is a complete reinstall of the Win7 OS on a reformatted drive. This method of course requires that you have a separate drive to backup your own stuff, and ability to reinstall any additional programs of course.

Users who have commented on the "perpetual cycling" problem don't seem to be convinced that either is assured of working.

John

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows 7 woes - AVG (2011) clash?
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 28 Dec 10 - 09:33 AM

Sorry for bringing this thread up again, but in the interests of accuracy I sadly have to report that I spoke too soon (and I've been using my Mac lately so the PC hasn't really been put to the test until now). Problem is back with a vengeance, repeated crashes - often only minutes apart so I can't even use the damn thing. Back to the computer shop... when I'm next in the city... sigh.

I do like Avast better than AVG for Windows 7, though - it's faster and less intrusive. But obviously AVG wasn't the culprit.

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows 7 woes - AVG (2011) clash?
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 21 Dec 10 - 07:28 AM

I'm just resurrecting this thread to give an end (I hope) to my tale of woe: I uninstalled AVG 2011 completely and installed Avast free edition, and have been using my puter happily ever since then, for the past 3 days or so, and... no problems at all!!! Every once in a great while a little forlorn ghost of an AVG update menu pops its head up and cries I Can't Find The Rest Of Me. I just pat it on the head, say There There, and click it on its way.

Thanks so much to all of you for your helpful input. I wish I had consulted The Great Oracle Of The Cat BEFORE I spent the probably needless ££ in the computer shop. I also find Avast much faster and less intrusive. Cheers (holds up cyber mug of mulled wine and toasts you all):

C[]

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows 7 woes - AVG (2011) clash?
From: Andy Jackson
Date: 15 Dec 10 - 06:17 PM

I run an Acer laptop and a homebrew desktop, both on Win XP. I've used and recommended AVG free for years. Then I downloaded 2011 free..Since then nothing but trouble...sometimes 1/2 hour to settle after start up. Freezing and random reboots. VERY slow generally.
I gave up and installed Microsoft security on laptop and all is now nearly better. Still slow start up but not as bad. Incidentally I also used AVGs PC Tune up so may have inadvertently destroyed stuff. Now archiving files with a view to a complete reinstall.

Bloody puters.

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows 7 woes - AVG (2011) clash?
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 15 Dec 10 - 05:59 PM

In the US, many new machines will be delivered with "trail versions" of McAfee on them, so I've seen it in some detail a few times. With the last version I had, however, a visit to the McAfee site for a support issue resulted in so many advertising popups and other trash on the machine that I needed an "anti-McAfee" to clean up the machine. I've heard that they've improved their website, but their ratings in reviews were "averae" to "mediocre" and variable for several years.

I avoided the common complaint that Norton AV "slowed down the computer" by being on dial-up during that phase, and my net connection was so slow that any impact from the AV was undetectable. Their last few versions have been rated as "very fast" and with consistently high ratings on effectiveness by trustable reviewers. Coupled with the permission to install most retail versions on three machines for one purchase/subscription, it's not free but is quite reasonable - if you have multiple machines, and support that I've needed has been excellent. While I can say that I've been quite satisfied with them, there are equally valid other opinions.

Several of the free AV programs have received excellent reviews, but none that I've watched have consistently stayed in the top tier as the threats change - at least for the free versions. Paid versions of several have been consistently reviewed as being quite good.

Most of the AV makers recommend that you do a complete uninstall of all prior AV installations before installing a new one, or a new version of an existing one. All Norton programs that I've seen automatically remove any prior version of Norton before beginning the new install, although it appears that they'll leave anything from another maker (but might ask if you want it uninstalled?).

Any time a problem with an AV is indicated, it probably is a good idea to do a complete uninstall of the AV on the machine, before a clean install of the one you intend to use. "Patches" and updated signature files should be okay, but any version change - even if it's just called an "upgrade" - likely should be done as a clean install.

Of course "always" is always subject to exceptions, except when it's not.

It may also be noted that although the Internet is truly "international" there have been some notable differences in the specific kinds of threats most common in the US vs what people in "those other places" are most likely to see, so it is quite possible that what's best here may not be optimum in Slovisburpistan - or other places I'm not sure I can spell.

John

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows 7 woes - AVG (2011) clash?
From: Tootler
Date: 15 Dec 10 - 02:31 PM

I used AVG free on WinXP for a number of years but I found latterly - this was about 18 months ago - that the virus updates were slowing the computer down, particularly on first booting the computer. I eventually removed it and replaced it with Panda Cloud AV. Panda stores all the virus definitions on line, so there is no updating of the computer so it is almost invisible. It seems to have had some good reviews. I replaced AVG with Panda on my wife's computer (Vista) about two weeks ago as she was having similar problems with AVG slowing the computer down and getting in the way generally.

Very slow booting was a major factor in my decision to try Linux, a decision I have no cause to regret.

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows 7 woes - AVG (2011) clash?
From: Bill D
Date: 15 Dec 10 - 01:53 PM

AVAST keeps being mentioned and touted in the alt.comp.freeware newsgroup that I frequent. It does seamless daily updating of its database and ...so far... has NOT given me any warnings about programs or hassles. It HAS...about 3 times... warned me that I was trying to access a dangerous page, and blocked it.

I really enjoyed AVG for the 5-6 years...but recently it was working overtime to steer me toward the PRO (read$$$$) version, and making it hard to even find the freeware version. I gave up.

(oh...AVAST also 'allowed' folks to switch to the "talks like a pirate" update notice... *grin*. That attitude tells me a little.)

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows 7 woes - AVG (2011) clash?
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 15 Dec 10 - 01:11 PM

One thing reported in Microsoft user comments on "multiply rebooting" Win7 is that Windows 7 appears to be set up to reboot itself into a "repair mode" if it decides something "needs to be fixed."

Some "experts" - possibly actual Microsoft advisers(?) - note that the repair mode does "incremental repairs," so that if there are multiple problems the first rebott fixes the first problem it finds and then completes the reboot.

If there are additional problems, another "boot to repair mode" will occure, and the next problem may(?) be repaired.

If there are still problems ... etc ... etc ....

Microsoft Search - Win7 Reboots itself should show some typical discussions; but I couldn't find any that clearly apply to the problem statement here.

I did find suggestive evidence that many occurences of the repeated reboots may be linked to use of "other programs," via statements "it started after ..." ...; but I didn't find specifically incriminating complaints about AVG (or any other specific program(s).

John

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows 7 woes - AVG (2011) clash?
From: EBarnacle
Date: 15 Dec 10 - 11:27 AM

Lady Hillary and I had AVGFree for over a year in 5 different desktops and laptops, all using XP Pro. The fundamental problem we had with AVG was that it slowed down all of our computers and interfered with other functions. We uninstalled AGV and switched to Avast on all of the machines and the problems went away.

In addition, we installed Glary, free edition, and used it to clean up all of the accumulated malware and cookies. Since then, a lot of the issues we had have gone away.

Before returning the machine, give it a try.

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows 7 woes - AVG (2011) clash?
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 15 Dec 10 - 11:18 AM

Hi Bonnie.

I don't have Win 7, but I did have trouble with updating to AVG 2011 on my PC running Win XP.

I don't know if this will help in your case, but I downloaded an AVG removal tool from the Grisoft site and completely removed all traces of AVG.

I then downloaded AVG 2011 free from c-Net downloads, installed it, and in the two months since, I have had no problems.

Might be worth a try?

Don T.

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows 7 woes - AVG (2011) clash?
From: MoorleyMan
Date: 15 Dec 10 - 11:15 AM

Interesting this - I still run XP, and until a few weeks ago I ran AVGFree 2010 with no problems. However, I installed AVG Free 2011 (being mindful of the notification of "no support after December" for 2010 version as already noted on this thread). Since which - and I had thought it a pure coincidence - my internet connection keeps tripping out at frustrating moments, unpredictably and intermittently (tho' not during every session) and usually at times when I refresh or backspace for previous pages, or occasionally when opening a new browser window (or trying to). I was beginning to think it must be a new Service Pack (that I knew nothing about and / or that I haven't installed), but now I'm wondering if it's AVG2011 that's to blame instead - and so, what can I do to fix it?

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows 7 woes - AVG (2011) clash?
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 15 Dec 10 - 11:04 AM

Erm... I already have AVG 2011

I've got all the new updates too - so far so good, yesterday & today anyway

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows 7 woes - AVG (2011) clash?
From: GUEST,erbert
Date: 15 Dec 10 - 10:55 AM

..and now to throw another deranged cat into the sleeping mice bucket..


just when you think you might have a stable PC system - 10 Win 7 Important Updates to download today.

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows 7 woes - AVG (2011) clash?
From: GUEST,goodlife
Date: 15 Dec 10 - 10:39 AM

why not just download avg free 2011 available now
cheers

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows 7 woes - AVG (2011) clash?
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 15 Dec 10 - 08:25 AM

Can anyone else out there give me further feedback about Avast? Is it as good as AVG do you think? Thanks for mentioning it, Bill D - I'd heard of it but don't know anything about its performance record. Any other satisfied customers?

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows 7 woes - AVG (2011) clash?
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 15 Dec 10 - 08:23 AM

I've clicked the "Ignore" command more times than I can count! It just ignores me. The trouble with old versions of AVG is that they've said they'll no longer support the 2010 version with new updates after December. And it's not just a matter of getting the red nag box (I know what you mean about it labelling anything it doesn't recognise as malware) it's the entire crashes, sometimes repeated ones, which need a re-boot.

Though, having said that, it's hasn't done this in a couple of days - and I had the computer on all day yesterday from 7 am till around midnight, and all day today since about 8 this morning. Maybe it's intimidated by Mudcat vibes...

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows 7 woes - AVG (2011) clash?
From: GUEST,GOODLIFE
Date: 15 Dec 10 - 06:54 AM

I think i must be the lucky one have used avg free for years on win98 xp and now on 7 never had any problem whatsoever
Trouble is as with all protection programes is if it finds a programme that does not fit in with a given criteria it puts out a warning . If you double click the icon in the tray it will display the avg window click tools then advance settings and select ignore faulty conditions put a tick in the box and click apply and ok this should stop the warning windowtry computor for a few days if it still crashes i would be thinking there is a fault with the computor take back to where you purchased it for a test

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows 7 woes - AVG (2011) clash?
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 15 Dec 10 - 06:48 AM

Have Win 7 - refused the 'opportunity' for AVG 2011 and went for the older 2010 version - no problems known from that.

Do you have Malwarebytes? It dug out some junk for me.

Googling "avg 2011 problems" reveals a lot of various hassles - suggested to uninstall it using the proper Control Panel method - either go for the previous version or one of the other products.

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows 7 woes - AVG (2011) clash?
From: Bill D
Date: 14 Dec 10 - 10:05 PM

Not in Win7 ...but I was having trouble with AVG in XP...and after using it for 5-6 years, decided to switch to Avast...and have been quite happy with it for months now.

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows 7 woes - AVG (2011) clash?
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 14 Dec 10 - 09:50 PM

I'm avoiding advice, since I don't have Win7 to look at and don't use AVG.

The only practical advice I can give is that at Mudcat it usually requires a minimum of 3 posts (and 5 or so works better) before people decide there might be something ineteresting going on and start to look at the thread. Higher activity often seems to be necessary for threads asking for advice.

This should be the third post, and when you answer to point out I'm just being a sm* a**, we'll have at least 4, and perhaps people who uses your programs will begin to show up(?).

John

Subject: RE: Tech: Windows 7 woes - AVG (2011) clash?
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 14 Dec 10 - 09:00 PM

Giving this thread one more try (only one, promise). Anyone have any experience of AVG causing problems in Windows 7 that might shed some light?

Subject: Tech: Windows 7 woes - AVG (2011) clash?
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 14 Dec 10 - 08:59 AM

My apologies if this has been discussed here already - I did do a search but couldn't find anything (and it was like looking for a needle in a haystack). I have just bought a Sony Vaio laptop which runs Windows 7 Home Premium, and I installed AVG Free Edition 2011.

Are there any known clashes between these two, apart from one I read of recently, where one of AVG 2011's security updates was causing the W7 boot sector to fail. But I haven't had any booting problem. It's getting it to STAY booted: mine crashes unexpectedly. Also I keep getting an AVG error message saying there "may be" an "unknown virus" attached to the Vaio's screensaver.exe and it keeps getting flagged up as a threat. (I don't have the screensaver enabled.)

I can't quarantine whatever It is because it's too big to move to the Virus Vault, which means it's over 5MB in size, though the screensaver itself is quite small (measurable in K) so it seems to be hiding beneath the screensaver. Or something... I don't know...

Apart from "Move To Vault", my other AVG options are to forcibly remove the threat (which AVG isn't even sure IS a virus) but I'm scared to mess with my computer's innards. Or else I can "Ignore" it. About this AVG says: The identified file will remain in its current location on your disk. To ensure you are protected, Resident Shield will not allow you to access files that are affected. So I click Ignore because there are no other choices.

"Show Details" tells me:
Process name: C:\Windows/System\rundll32.exe
Process ID: 3456

This red AVG warning screen pops up from time to time, even when the web is not connected and the ethernet cable is unplugged. And the computer has started crashing, more and more often, and it frequently - but not always - shows me that old-fashioned-looking DOS-style screen, white lettering on blue, from which I re-start (and then do a clean re-boot).

I took it to a computer repair shop, wrote out the problems in detail, they kept it for 2 weeks, said they fixed it, charged me... and now it's happening all over again in exactly the same way. AVG threat still there, crashes, all the same behaviour. They did say they had "reinstalled Windows", but all my files & shortcuts were still there as I'd left them (even the rubbish in the bin).

Of course I'm taking it back tomorrow and will complain, but can any of you enlighten me at all about this problem? Whatever it is, they didn't repair it - or did repair it but it's happened again - and I'd like to be forearmed with a little knowledge so they don't just fob me off with some techno-waffle. I have kept all the updates current, both Micro$oft's and AVG's, browsers & Adobe etc.

Does anyone know anything about this situation? (John in Kansas, ya out there?) Any help or enlightenment will be much appreciated!

Bonnie

PS: Before anyone chips in with "get a Mac" . . . I have one. And I like it fine. But for various programme-related reasons, the work I do means I need to use both systems, on two computers.