Waiting for Spyware Doctor engine to start

[plus1hdcp]

I am using version 5.0.0.179 and it apears as though some files have become corrupted as the engine fails to start. In the system status area, the program cannot identify the product version, database version, intelli-signatures, last scan date. The StartScan, OnGuard, and Settings tab are greyed-out (not able to select). Computer Immunization and OnGuard protection have been turned off (not by me but probably due to the inability to access database).

This is not the first time this has happened to me. I am aware of a quick fix, download the latest version and re-install, but this is not the answer to the problem.

Anyone else experiencing this or similar problem?
Any ideas what I can do to eliminate the problem from surfacing again?

Thanks

[tom.tdw]

this is a fairly rare problem. it shouldn't come back. the problem is about the process being misplaced.

[mjq424]

Hi
For the system info to be displayed the "Spyware Doctor Service" must be running.
To check if it is running:
1. Open Taskmanager (Ctrl + Alt + Del)
2. Search for swdsvc.exe
If it is not running:
1. Click Start
2. Open Control Panel
3. Open Administrative Tools
4. Open Services
5. Search for Spyware Doctor Service
6. Right-click and select Start
Hope that helps

[tom.tdw]

svcntaux.exe must also be running

[chewycanes]

I have had this quite a few times on one of my laptops. I found that closing the Spyware doctor screen by clicking the 'X' and sending it to the taskbar. Then clicking on Spyware doctor on the taskbar Spyware doctor the screen comes up and everything has corrected itself.

Perhaps it will work for you.

[tom.tdw]

is this problem mainly at start up? it might just be the process loading

[chewycanes]

Mine is certainly at start-up as sometimes the start engine takes two or perhaps three attempts of the thirty second loading before it finishes. Once it has finished the display sometimes is incomplete other times OK.

[tom.tdw]

then the problem is fairly unavoidable. you could try taking some other programs of startup

[plus1hdcp]

My problem has surfaced both during start up and when changing user accounts on my machine. Once again, I reinstalled program and everything is fine but for how long this time, who knows?

I appreciate the responses and will inform all of future problems.

[tom.tdw]

hopefully by that time it should have been fixed

[Patrick O'Brien]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for posting this info. I have sent it to our QA group for follow up.

[AChen]

My problem has surfaced both during start up and when changing user accounts on my machine. Once again, I reinstalled program and everything is fine but for how long this time, who knows?

I appreciate the responses and will inform all of future problems.

As a workaround, Enable kernel compatibility mode. Go to Settings-> tick the checkbox for 'Enbale kernel compatibility mode' and reboot. Let us know how you go.

Please note: Enabling the kernel compatibility mode does not compromise the security or SD in any way. It does not affect the OnGuard tools or the scanning capabilities of Spyware Doctor. It changes the method in which Spyware Doctor integrates with the system but it has the same capabilities.

[tom.tdw]

I am using version 5.0.0.179 and it apears as though some files have become corrupted as the engine fails to start. In the system status area, the program cannot identify the product version, database version, intelli-signatures, last scan date. The StartScan, OnGuard, and Settings tab are greyed-out (not able to select). Computer Immunization and OnGuard protection have been turned off (not by me but probably due to the inability to access database).

This is not the first time this has happened to me. I am aware of a quick fix, download the latest version and re-install, but this is not the answer to the problem.

Anyone else experiencing this or similar problem?
Any ideas what I can do to eliminate the problem from surfacing again?

Thanks
it is probably not corrupted files

[chewycanes]

In response to ACHEN i did try kernel mode and initally it did seem to work and the engine did not keep starting. Kernel mode though did seem to take along time to finish loading once a user had been selected. However on exiting a user and selecting another the engine starting problem returned.

ACHEN can you explain briefly what this kernel mode does ?

[tom.tdw]

i might not be achen but i have a fair idea:

kernel compatibility mode basically replaces spyware doctors kernel level scanning components (those provide a deeper level of protection at the level of drivers and the os) with alternatives that are more resource hungry (hence the loading delay) but don't reduce safety. it was added to stop spyware doctor conflicting with anti-viruses that also use kernel level protection

try closing all spyware doctor processes except svntaux.exe and the other processes should be restarted fully functioning

[hake]

How would I know if Spyware Doctor needed Kernel Compatibility mode? My problem is that the Windows 2000 (SP4) system that I am trying to run SD5 on takes exception (literally) to attempting to start with Kernel Compatibility mode enabled. It seems to work OK with it disabled (apart from an intensely annoying inability of the GUI to close without a struggle).

:confused:

[vecchio]

How would I know if Spyware Doctor needed Kernel Compatibility mode? My problem is that the Windows 2000 (SP4) system that I am trying to run SD5 on takes exception (literally) to attempting to start with Kernel Compatibility mode enabled. It seems to work OK with it disabled (apart from an intensely annoying inability of the GUI to close without a struggle).

:confused:
See my last post here
http://www.pctools.com/forum/showthread.php?t=48804
Hope this helps