XP Froze

[vaio]

I downloaded the 5.0 version and computer now freezes at boot up. I went into safe mode and uninstalled spyware doctor but my computer still freezes even after a system restore, can someone please help me and talk me through a solution thanks.:confused:

[Chippa]

This is a common issue with most users and PC Tools are currently working on a fix for this. Best thing to do would be to download SDv4 until this issue is fixed with SDv5 http://www.pctools.com/spyware-doctor/version4/.

Cheers,
Chippa

[vaio]

I can download version 4 but the uninstall for version 5 does not follow through first that even locks up help please.

[WarrenG]

If you have any third party software monitoring in the background, e.g. antivirus progs, switch them off and see how you go with an uninstall. It looks like most of the issues on the forums are due to sociability and similar programs having a conflict.

A lot of people on here are using 2 or more of a program that does exactly the same job. These programs have been tweaked so much over the years that it is not necessary to have mulitple programs monitoring. It becomes to resource hungry. I bet that most people who are having trouble are using 2 or more similar programs, e.g. sd, norton, ZA, spysweeper. People with this kind of setup should have severe problems with freezing, crashes, you name it, because each program will use about 30-40% or your machine resources to run the constant monitoring (real time protection). If each tool is using 30-40% of a PC's resources, then how is it going to run successfully?

My opinion is to uninstall everything and use one tool. If everyone did this the amount of problems on this forum would disappear dramatically.

[Joanna]

I have read through a lot of the posts on the forum for advice regarding problems with SDv4 (high CPU usage) and SDv5 (freezing, crashing, etc). I am finding conflicting views on the subject of running multiple real time programs. Some people totally support the idea of having 2 or 3 spyware detectors and some people do not. I am currently running Kaspersky Internet Suite V6, Xoftspy, AVG Antispyware, Spybot SD, Windows Defender (which I know is probably useless) and I was running SDv4 with no problem and no clashes whatsoever. BUT my computer was SLOW (lots of Cpu usage). I put up with it because I believe the program is worth using so I don't get bombarded with spyware.

My current observation is that after uninstalling SDv.5 and as I have not yet reinstalled SDv.4 my computer is again lightning fast even with all the other programs I mentioned which are working happily together!!! I am debating on whether to reinstall v4, because I am enjoying my computer again, but I most likely will reinstall because the program does do the best job of protecting your computer against all the baddies out there. Also since I do have multiple programs my computer is still somewhat protected.

My conclusion is that both SD versions have a lot issues which need to be addressed by PC Tools and I hope they solve them quickly.

[shoko]

I am running virtually the same setup as Joanna. My main Security Suite is Kaspersky Internet Security 6.
Kaspersky & SD4 were my main start ups and ran in the background. SD5 is now gone and I have not reinstalled SD4.
I use Ad -Aware & Spybot as passive backup for cross checking every so often. Windows Defender runs in the background also.
Dont knock Defender. It picked up an item for me that the others did not.
All of these items ran without any apparent conflict.
Nearly all so called expert advice is to have at least two Anti spyware programmes running.
This on the basis that no single software package is perfect.

After upgrading from SD 4 to SD5 my Computer crashed and took a considerable amount of time to sort out. Eventually I too had to uninstall SD5.
When I did I was amazed at how fast everything worked afterwards.
The regular uninstall worked without problem, which does not appear to be generally the case with other users.
I do not appear to have suffered any subsequent damaged hardware / software consequences as others did.
My instinct tells me that this may well be down to the robust stability of Kaspersky.
Kaspersky is reputedly the best Ant-Virus around. The Internet Security Suite 6. works trouble free. Its interface is user friendly.
I am not about to ditch Kaspersky to see if problematic software with an untried Anti-Virus can be made to work.
Unlike SD4, version 5 appears to be overly aggressive and resource selfish, ie. a software bully. While this may ultimately make for more cast iron security, it fails fitness for purpose on the basis that all software has to live with other software in order to be useful.
Like Joanna I am now agonising as to whether to re-install SD4 or continue to enjoy my faster respone times.
Will PC Tools notify when the problems are resolved.

[AChen]

Hi All,

We are still working on these unresolved issues with SDv5. When I receive an update, I will pass this on.

[vaio]

Well I went into safe mode and logged in as user not admin and was able to uninstall SD 5. Now I also notice my computer running better BUT I still want spyware protection and seeing that I just recently purchased SD 4 I want to reinstall it and continue to use pc tools software in the future hopefully things get straightened out in a timely manner.:confused:

[Chippa]

Download SDv4 http://www.pctools.com/spyware-doctor/version4/. This still uses the same database and still has Smart Updates, so protection is still up to scratch. Still the best in the market when it comes to removing spyware. Just wait till all the bugs are fixed then upgrade.

Cheers,
Chippa

[tumbler51]

disable guard that is what i had to do after install and everything else

[tigertheboo]

Hi All,

We are still working on these unresolved issues with SDv5. When I receive an update, I will pass this on.

Generally PC Tools has been quite responsive. I'm not a computer guru type so do follow the experts on forums and will not install 5.0 until things look a heck of a lot better

From both a service and public relations point of view, have pc tools itself post on both the 5.0 and 4.0 sites on the progress of the repairs would be very helpful (beyond what is posted in the faq). I also also would suggest describing the repairs in a bit more detail-- not simply saying it works, but rather we found that (computer jargon) needed changing. Confidence in 5.0 needs to be built

I'm hunting for achen's replies and have to go to individual threads to find them; perhaps they should be in one location until the 5.0 problems are resolved.

thanks again