Rant about something

Grimmwolf_GB · Post by **Grimmwolf_GB** » Sun Jul 18, 2010 8:52 am

Hi, I just wanted to let you know that the current version of AVG seems to make some troubles, at least it did for me.
System Specs:
Intel Core² Quad
8GB DDR2 RAM
ATI 4870
ASUS P5Q Pro
ASUS Xonar D2X Sound card
Plenty of other peripheral stuff.

Software on start up:
AVG,
Sphinx Win7 Firewall,
Rainlendar (highly recommended calender/organizer)
Logitech drivers/tools
SirReal's G15 Applet
Truecrypt

Problem:
From time to time, but especially upon mounting the encrypted partitions, the computer slowed down to a crawl (for up to 3 minutes). The CPU was on 0-2%, hard drive didn't do anything. The computer just did nothing. It could also happen when I launch firefox/Thunderbird (both residing as portable versions on the encrypted partitions). It could also happen mid-game (CoH, BFBC2, etc...) causing me to drop or die.
I first tried updating my video driver, my sound driver, I defragged my drives for the 100th time, I removed useless crap from autostart, deactivated system processes, activated them again, started some others. Nothing helped.
Yesterday I finally realized that AVG had failed me in the past, so it was a possibility that it'd do it again. I uninstalled it -- bam, no more problems. No more freezing, fast browsing, fast reactions, everything simply improved!

For now I will live without an antivirus programme, this experience was too annoying. Constantly scanning in the background is obviously too hard to do, at least in case of AVG. My computer is definitely fast enough for that, is was able to do that in the past, but the software sucks.

Just wanted to let you know, as I recommended the software when I was still visiting these forums more often.

Post by **FreeBeer** » Sun Jul 18, 2010 2:33 pm

Thanks for the heads-up, Grim.

FWIW, I've been flying without an AV for several years now without issue. (I do do an occasional scan but nothing that runs live.)

TheDevil · Post by **TheDevil** » Sun Jul 18, 2010 3:32 pm

lol me too I have no Internet security since last 4 yrs and no trouble so far...I just know what to open and what not to open...i think i also have tht firewall based router or somesuch...

peet · Post by **peet** » Mon Jul 19, 2010 1:17 pm

I enjoy

http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/

very much.

Unlike the horrible Microsoft Anti-virus products in the past, this one actually blocks stuff, is free, and I can exclude folders / files / drives from being scanned. It is a real time saver for "non executable files", like databases.

I am sure AVG has an "ignore files" option too.

I agree that every program uses computer resources, so you must decide what you can drop. AV vs speed. I've seen non-av pc's working flawless for years, but eventually a moron plugs in an infected pen drive, downloads malware, or someone exploits a hole in your system. Usually a family member or a co worker. Of course there is no decent backup so you end up starting all over again.

Edit: before I forget, I find the Internet Storm Center warning system very handy. It uses 4 colors for global threts and might give you time to protect your servers.

Currently yellow for a possible wide spread abuse of an exploit for servers. Le Sigh

Ow well, to The BatCave, Robin.

http://isc.sans.edu/infocon.html

string · Post by **string** » Mon Jul 19, 2010 3:13 pm

I like it too.

Grimmwolf_GB · Post by **Grimmwolf_GB** » Wed Oct 27, 2010 10:16 pm

Another heads up... It wasn't AVG that made my computer hang again and again. I have yet to find the real cause...

raumvogel · Post by **raumvogel** » Wed Oct 27, 2010 11:07 pm

Have you tried Malwarebytes? It's good for rootkits, if that's the problem. It also can be a bad memory chip or cracked micro-processor.

Grimmwolf_GB · Post by **Grimmwolf_GB** » Thu Oct 28, 2010 5:19 pm

Well, I can rule out software problems, because this happens with a fresh windows install, with nothing else installed. It happens in Linux as well...
Last night I was hoping my HDD was to blame, but with a different one it happens as well. I will now take out RAM one by one and try to reproduce the problem. If that doesn't show me the culprit, I will have to take apart the computer of a friend of mine, he has the same components...
I am really pissed off, it is annoying as hell.

raumvogel · Post by **raumvogel** » Thu Oct 28, 2010 5:27 pm

Yea, the computer that I was using before this one had a problem and I never determined whether it was the memory chip itself or something on the mother board supporting the memory chips. When I tried to upgrade the chips (yes, I was using compatible memory), the computer would freak out and not boot at all. I ended up just putting up with the hangs and luckily they became less and less frequent. I'm fairly sure that it was a type of short that may have affected both components and that's why i couldn't upgrade with new chips.

sob_larry · Post by **sob_larry** » Fri Oct 29, 2010 2:19 am

Malwarebytes & Advanced system care (by iobit) 2 programs I use = awesome. Both free both available on cnet check em out.

P.s. I used to use mcafee and norton so , I guess I'd have been better off standing in front of my laptop with a club for better protection.