Any opinion? re:taskbar icons

[Fulvio]

As far as I am concerned my attempts to get SP3, and going back to SP2 have left me with a so-so computer.
I have noticed that when I started the computer in the morning, one or more icons were missing. Vital was the AntiVirus and Firewall icon. In fact, without the Firewall icon (sygate), I could not start anything. This morning there was only the Safely Remove Hardware.
Apaarently, the Antivirus (AVG8.01) had gotten (or checked) its update, and started the scan, but I had no way to know with no icon in the taskbar, and an inactive shortcut. But, I knew nothing about the system,. Using the start|turn of the computer, I was getting no response clicking on restart or shutdown. Only turning off the computer , and then restarting gave results. This time all icons were present in the taskbar. I can function, but not so well, with AV and helpsvc.exe sucking up all my resources (100% CPU).
Any bright idea?

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[James]

Not a bright idea, Fulvio, but an opinion. If I were you, I would dump AVG 8. There are far too many problems being reported with this latest version, particularly problems relating to its using us the system's resources. My wife dumped hers about two weeks ago for Avast and her computer is running smoothly.

As for your issues with SP 3, that is entirely another matter. Both my wife and I had no problem downloading and installing the upgrade (took about an hour). I know that doesn't help you, but it does indicate that the upgrade is not problematic for all computers. Ours are HP Pavilions, by the way.

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[PaulD]

"An opinion"? With all the problems you've been enjoying, and sharing with us-all, would it be worth considering a system scratch-and-rebuild? A fresh start on the OS, a clean SP3, and clean re-installation of the applications would give you a known starting point for diagnoses. Your Registry probably has a bunch of mish-mosh garbage in it, some of which is confounding your various attempts at installations. Just an opinion.

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[Fulvio]

Paul,
I have been thinking of doing what you suggested, but I am not a big fan of going to those extremes. At this point, I am still hoping to hear from Microsoft.
I may go after the registry, first. I have done it, once, after uninstalling my McAfee AV, which left over 120 keys related to it. It seemed unbelievable, and it kept me away from McAfee, although I can get the entire suite for free.
James,
I had dropped AVG8, in favor of Avast, but Avast was no better. The AVG scan takes an inordinate amount of CPU, but I can function, somehow. I have a couple of programs, in the wings, waiting to be tested.
But, interesting, the dearth of icons came right after my first unsuccessful attempt to get SP3. I used to have every icon which was in the start up in the taskbar, but no more. But, the programs do their thing. They, just, are not easily accessible from the taskbar. I can't make any sense of the settings of Start Menu|Customize.

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[James]

I haven't heard of any issues with Avast, Fulvio, but perhaps it is another problematic program for your set-up. I know that my wife's computer is running smoothly with it but that doesn't guarantee that yours would. Another great program to consider is AntiVir from Avira. From everything I've read it is a very straight-forward, lean program that is not bloat-ware as AVG is quickly becoming. It does what it is supposed to do: protect you from virus attacks. I'm not a huge fan of multiple security programs. If we use common sense in our e-mail and browsing, keep our MS critical updates up-to-date, keep our anti-virus and anti-spyware programs up-to-date, run a two-way firewall and sit behind a router, we should be fine. Nothing fancy is needed and I'm afraid that AVG 8 appears to be heading in that fancy direction. I know it is not for me.

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[Fulvio]

My issue with Avast was that it took as long as AVG8 to do a scan. But, AVG8 started scans more rapidly, after the first two, which exceeded 3 hrs in time. I was, also, told, by its tech support that Avast was not doing automatic updates. That is no problem, really, considering that AVG8 was totally unreliable in checking for definition updates. In one simple example, I had an update at 10:57 (set for 10AM), with the scan starting at 11:00. That would have been great if consistent, like it was with AVG7.5. But, the next scheduled update was for 11:26. I decided to change the time, which, actually a range, to 9:00AM, and the "next scheduled update" changed to 10:26. Today, I saw that the next scheduled update was 9:45AM. It changes every day, and, often it is set to start after the scan started.
I uninstalled AVG, and installed AntiVir. It takes considerable resources as well as AVG and Avast, but not as much. With AVG the CPU, during a scan was 80-90, while with AntiVir it changed wildly between 15 and 99. The size of the scan file was almost identical for both programs. AVG neverc gave me any warnings, but AntiVir warned me that it could not scan pafile.sys and hiberfil.sys. It took over 5 min. for AntiVir to connect, and download update file. But scan time was swift. 1 hr.15' for Antivir vs. nearly three hours for AVG. At least, the first time around.

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[Ghostman 1]

I am afraid that you have more than just one problem going on there.Too me it sounds like you still have a Virus/Trojan problem going on... If that is the case,then all these problem can be solved by a Fresh install...

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[Fulvio]

So, do you feel that having used three different antivirus program (at different times) which found nothing suspicious, I would still have a virus/trojan? I do not believe that this is even remotely likely. I am back to AVG8. At least it does an update, and there is an easy solution to the time of the update. Selecting 9:00 AM, I have a two hour windows, between 9 and 11, so that I would start a scan at 11 AM, after the update.
As for the icons, the problem was not seen with AVG8.

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[Ghostman 1]

(So, do you feel that having used three different antivirus program (at different times) which found nothing suspicious, I would still have a virus/trojan?)


YES ! The Viruses and Trojans these days are getting smarter and smarter.. They will use other means to activate them by hiding in other spots.
The NEW AVG is not up too standards yet, It is falling under the category With Norton and
McAfee... Bloatware.. But too each is own...

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[James]

Hi Fulvio

You might want to check out the thread at WinBBS General Security titled: AVG 8.0 Free and the other titled: pc security question. Both contain a number of warnings about AVG 8.0 and the issues it brings to the table. Granted, a few have had no problems but the majority have serious issues relating to resource hogging, slowing down of computer and issues relating to other programs. If I were you, I would at least disable it for a few days, go with another freebie and see if that solves some of your problems. Just a suggestion. As for the lack of automatic updates being a detriment to Avast, what is so difficult with making it a regular part of your week? You set aside Friday 8 pm as a time to check for updates (or if you insist upon daily updates, then choose and time and condition yourself to check for them at that time). For me this would not be a problem but perhaps it would be for you. Hey... we each must find a way that works for us. In my situation, I mess around with my computer as little as possible and that way I've fewer problems to try and rectify later on.

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[Fulvio]

James,
just to make this clear, I have had problems which, likely, began with my failed attempts to install SP3, but the problems, like absence of icons in the taskbar have not occurred with AVG8.0. Yes, the automatic updates are somewhat erratic, but I get them, in the time range prior to the start of the scam. Time-wise, Avast is no better than AVG, so why should I bother with it. AVG scan takes a lot of CPU, but has not affected my use of mail or browsing, while it is scanning. And, I play music to boot. Only AntiVir has scanned the hard drive in less time than AVG, but it does less.
If I compare AVG 8 to 7.5, it is not as desirable, but nothing else has been worth replacing AVG 8.0. But, I am looking around.

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