SDv5.5.1.322 locks my computer

[Sonya]

I just got spyware doctor today and installed it on two nearly identical systems one works perfectly the other (this) freezes anytime the application is on doesn't have to be open as soon as it loads, freezes.

I tried disabling on gaurd protections to no avail, both computers have McAfee (AOL security suite) if that matters, this one did have SpyBot search and destroy but I've uninstalled it thinking possibly that could have something to do with it, but still the same results. Both computers have Vista Ultimate (32 bit) both have the same programs pretty much, however this one does have error smart while the other doesn't. I have no idea if it would do it with IE haven't been able to open anything up on this thing if spyware doctor is enabled (disabled it through system services just so I could get here to seek help.

I do have the latest version I read several posts stating that the latest version had this fix and that fix but it's not working for me. Anyone with a real fix to this problem please let me know.

[Sonya]

I just installed SDv5.5.1.322 today and have had several issues with it on one of the two computers I installed it on, both are running Windows Vista Ultimate - have nearly identical specs and programs installed. However on this computer it likes to make my computer lock up, I've narrowed down the cause of the problem but don't know why it's doing it. It only locks up the computer if either on guard protection computer immunization are enable.

Both computers which I have installed it on have McAfee security suites (AOL's special edition) this one has premium features (only difference I can tell between the two is the password vault honestly, but I doubt that's causing the problem).

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[vecchio]

Hi,
Do you have sdstandalone or sd+av installed?
Which others security app you are currently running?
Do you have "kernell compatibility mode" enabled?

[Reodor]

Both computers which I have installed it on have McAfee security suites (AOL's special edition) this one has premium features (only difference I can tell between the two is the password vault honestly, but I doubt that's causing the problem).

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

'Double' protection might sometimes mean double trouble.
My recomendation is stay with the McAfee or stay with SD + AV or PCTIS.
Kernel mode or not, both running at the same time encreases the risk of troubles. Sometimes it works, sometimes not.

[Sonya]

No just Spyware Doctor. Also it freezes on the scan hangs during the registry scan downloaded it last night based on an article claiming it was the best anti spyware software around - started a scan and let it set for over 10 hours to come back to find it was still it 29% total progress.

I decided to try the scan yet again and again it hangs on the registry scan, decided to open regedit and found the entry that it hangs on, sure enough it's a McAfee entry, deleted the entry and the scan finished within two minutes.

[Greyhound]

Sonya,

It seems we have some problems with the last version. SD, the last version, locks my comp when I use CCleaner and other programs to clean garbage. I wrote about in my post about:
http://www.pctools.com/forum/showthread.php?t=51683
I have Vista Ultimate installed as well.
When I returned to version 5.5.0.212 there are no problem at all.
Today I install v.SDv5.5.1.322 to try it again and it locks my pc again when I run CCleaner and on reboot I got the blue screen.
After I disable SD everything is OK.
So, I go back to v5.5.0.212 until the problem will be fixed.
My wife runs Windows XP and no problem with the last SD version.
Might be the issue only with Vista Ultimate.
I go back to v5.5.0.212 until the problem will be fixed.

It seems like that I am not alone with the problem so it gives me the hope that SD team will fix it soon.

[jh1836]

I installed the latest SD version on 5/11/2008. I am using the stand alone version with the kernal mode enabled. My computer's OS is XP Home SP2.
At first everything seemed OK. But the next day I couldn't get any browser to access the internet. I tried Firefox and Netscape Navigator and as soon as I launched them the Task Manager would say they were not responding. It was not until I shut down SD that I could launch a browser and not get to it to immediately go to not responding.
Today with SD up my computer would completely freeze up. I tried shuting down SD, but I coudn't even do that. I would launch Task Manager and TM would either show 0% cpu or 100% cpu. If I tried shutingdown nothing happened. To shutdown my comuter I had to use the power off button. This occurred about 4 or 5 times. Finally I got my computer to come up even though it was slower than usual. I was able to shutdown SD and restart my computer. When it came up I was able to access the internet.
Besides a full scan with SD is horribly long. 5+ hours.

[Reodor]

jh:
And what else of security prg's are running on Your comp?
What is Your comp specs? (CPU & Ram & Disk)

[Sonya]

Greyhound, I believe you're right does appear we have some problems with it. I've disabled basically all on guard features, no more lock ups. When I first installed it other night it was fine didn't freeze the computer once or lock it - unfortunately I made the mistake of rebooting that's when all the trouble started lol.

[Reodor]

Sonya & Greyhound.
It might 'help' if You went into User CP and edited the info and got Your specs and running security software at the bottom of Your posting. Eliminates a lot of guesswork.
Have a look below:

[Sonya]

Sonya & Greyhound.
It might 'help' if You went into User CP and edited the info and got Your specs and running security software at the bottom of Your posting. Eliminates a lot of guesswork.
Have a look below:


My specs Vista Ultimate (x86) SP1 (base score of 5.2) Custom Build (I built it in February) AMD Anthlon 64 X2 5000+ (BlackEdition) 2.6 ghz, 4 gigabytes (2x2) of DDRII 800 2 Seagate SATA II 500 gigabyte hard drives, also a 300 gigabyte Maxtor drive. Only other security software is McAfee Internet security suite provided by AOL.

[Reodor]

Sonya:
Suggest You stay with the Mcafee as stand alone or switch to another suite like PCTIS. If un-installing McAfee do not forget to run their un-installer/clean-up tool afterwords. The windows un-installer leaves a lot behind! To me anything 'free' from AOL, Google etc is major 'spyware' and I stay far away from it.
Which suit to chose depends of what You are looking for of protection. Different vendors seems to have different specialities like key-loggers, worms, Virus etc. The average user will hardly notice the difference. If You use Your comp for banking etc, get one with good key-logging protection as ID theft is a growing problem. ID loss might be a bigger problem than a slowing down comp due to some minor 'bugs'.

[jh1836]

My PC specs are: Win XP Home SP2,
Dell Dimension DE051. Intel Celeron CPU 2.53GHz, 512MB RAM. 160GB hard drive, 84,4GB free.

I use McAfee Security Center for my firewall, anti-virus, e-mail virus protection, e-mail spam protection & e-mail spy protection.

Other anti-malware/spyware apps I use are Windows Defender, Ad-Aware 2007, and Spy Sweeper,

When the early versions of SD v5.0.0.x were released I installed SD 5. The next day after the install my PC froze with 100% CPU and required the power down button to shut down, crashed with BSOD's, and blocked all my e-mail. After I found out about SD v4.1.0.1, I unstalled the SD v5.0.0.x, installed SD v4.1.0.1, and didn't have any problems with my PC or any security/anti-malware/spyware apps.

When I found out PCTools had released SD v5.5.1.322, I thought they would have made a lot of progress since SD v5.0.0.x. But from the problems I experienced since the install, v5.5.1.322 is not much
better than v5.0.0.x. At least v5.5.1.322
didn't cause any BSOD's.

I have gone back to SD v4.1.0.1 and everything seems to be working all right again.

[Reodor]

jh:
With that coctail of security apps, I understand You have problems getting SD 5.5 to 'work'.

[Kidd]

I installed the new SD 5.5.1 today and when I rebooted my computer it took about 10 mins to start Windows (think it was running a scan even though I did not have startup scan enabled). A couple of reboots later I re-installed SD 5.5.0.178. I'm on Win XP sp3. Had the fiasco early this morning with the Trojan-Spy.Pophot.WX, It's just been one of those days eh!!!!:rolleyes:
While I'm here, Does anyone know why the SD icon is sometimes invisible on the taskbar near the clock???
It's there, Just invisible!:confused: Sorry if this has been brought up before but I
only found this forum today trying to sort out the Trojan-Spy.Pophot.WX bug.
Cheers All:cool:

[katie]

I installed the new SD 5.5.1 today and when I rebooted my computer it took about 10 mins to start Windows (think it was running a scan even though I did not have startup scan enabled). A couple of reboots later I re-installed SD 5.5.0.178. I'm on Win XP sp3. Had the fiasco early this morning with the Trojan-Spy.Pophot.WX, It's just been one of those days eh!!!!:rolleyes:
While I'm here, Does anyone know why the SD icon is sometimes invisible on the taskbar near the clock???
It's there, Just invisible!:confused: Sorry if this has been brought up before but I
only found this forum today trying to sort out the Trojan-Spy.Pophot.WX bug.
Cheers All:cool:

This could have been related to the FP issue which has been fixed :)
What you should do is go into safemode with networking, uninstall and reinstall SDv5.5.1.322 with DB 5.09880e. Not sure why the icon is not in the system tray. Hopefully the uninstall and reinstall will resolve this.

[Kidd]

Hi Katie, I've decided just to stick with the SD 5.5.0.178 for the time being till SD 5.5.1 is sorted properly! Thanks for the reply.
Kidd;)

[Greyhound]

It is a pity, because I really like SD, but I do not understand the policy of SD team. What was the goal to be in a hurry and gave the new raw version of SD to customers without thoroughly testing? To attract new customers with a few new futures? But result will be just on the contrary with all those bugs.
As I saw on download page of SD the release data is now 19th May.
Hmm... how many times was it changed?
It seems that SD team tries to fix issues on the fly, but why not do it before?
It sounds funny when I read here in the forum suggestion like: turn off one of the Guards, update in safe mode, turn off you antivirus, coz there is a conflict (in that case I prefer to leave my ESET antivir working and uninstall SD), etc.
Look.. We are customers, not testers. If you have to turn off some options in SD (because they cause problems) how then you can trust that the program works properly and protect your computer.Might be then the solution is do not turn on your computer at all and it will be protected?
For me protections means that you install a program, make configuration of options ONE TIME AND FORGET ABOUT IT.

I hope that in the future SD team will test the product thoroughly and do not treat customers like testers. We paid for final program by the way.
With really best regards and the hope.

[Reodor]

Greyhound:
There are 'testers', I'm in fact one of them, read the 'sticky' further up.
Running PCTIS or the 'new' Beta as 'stand alone' goes without problems and if Your system specs are up to it: About 1 Gig of Ram and 2,5 GHz CPU, everything runs without problems.
One of the problems for developers are to make it interact with other security apps, alternative do like AVG had to do: clearly inform to uninstall if conflicts.
The orderline bertwween anti-virus and anti-malware does not excist that distinct anymore as most companies have suites and both AV and anti-malware prgs.
In addition comes 'old' versions of software (N-Vida??) that has caused a lot of problems all over.
My recomendation is to try the PCTIS and uninstall ALL other security apps. It seems sadly to be the 'new' world, pick one or the other. The 'tighter' the security app, the more risks of conflicts due to sensitivity. To avoid conflicts: disable guards! Your choise: one that works with all guards, or several partly amputated.

[Greyhound]

Reodor,

My system:

OS - Vista Ultimate (32 bit), SP1
AMD Turion Mobile Technology ML-37 - 2,00 Ghz
RAM - 1,5 GB
ReadyBoost - 1860 MB
Disks - 180 GB (2 , each 90 GB), disk C (OS) -79 GB free from 90 GB

Security:
Eset Antivirus 3.0657.0 (the last version)
Comodo Firewall 3.0.22.349 (the last version)
Spyware Doctor 5.5.0.212 (return to this one from the latest, because had a lot of problems: locked pc, locked CCleaner, slow start-up, slow scanning.... )

Sorry, but I am not going to change my ESET antivir for something else.
I think you know independent Virus Bulletin tests - VB100.
So, ESET has outstanding best results for 10 years- 49 Success / 3 Failure.
No one antivirus program reached the same result.

So, I will just stay with SD v.5.5.0.212 for now , have not any problem or conflicts with it.

[Greyhound]

In addition to my post above:
I could not avoid to try again SD released on the 19th May.
Changing of the date of release it meant for me that SD team changed something in SD and might be because I am probably a tester by my nature :)

So, the latest version of SD, released date the 19th May, works perfect for me now.
After 24 hrs as I installed it I have to say the following:
It takes less memory, less CPU, no conflicts with apps, no freezing, nothing.
I am satisfied with and want to thank SD team for the great job. It seems they fixed a lot of issues in this release.
Thank you.

[AChen]

In addition to my post above:
I could not avoid to try again SD released on the 19th May.
Changing of the date of release it meant for me that SD team changed something in SD and might be because I am probably a tester by my nature :)

So, the latest version of SD, released date the 19th May, works perfect for me now.
After 24 hrs as I installed it I have to say the following:
It takes less memory, less CPU, no conflicts with apps, no freezing, nothing.
I am satisfied with and want to thank SD team for the great job. It seems they fixed a lot of issues in this release.
Thank you.

Great to hear its up and running well. If you stumble across any issues, do let us know and I'll pass it onto the team. Thanks for the feedback!! :D

[haapy]

I had similar problems. I deleted the SD History log and ran the hard drive error checking (Chkdsk). Seems to have fixed the issue for me.

[Greyhound]

Achen,
Thank you, but pass SD team to pay more attention that SD should consume less CPU and memory.
After a few days of having SD 5.xx.332 on real-time protection I disable it and use it on-demand scan only and it is a pity.
The last version loads system anyway much more then version 5.xx.212
Now I have on real-time protection ESET Antivir+ThreatFire (works perfect and no conflicts) + Windows Defender.
Do not, please, tell me that WD is weaker then SD, I know that :), but ThreatFire will give support to it I hope :)

When it will be improved in SD with consumption of cpu, memory then I return it for real-time protection with pleasure.

[c_edge]

Achen,
Thank you, but pass SD team to pay more attention that SD should consume less CPU and memory.
After a few days of having SD 5.xx.332 on real-time protection I disable it and use it on-demand scan only and it is a pity.
The last version loads system anyway much more then version 5.xx.212
Now I have on real-time protection ESET Antivir+ThreatFire (works perfect and no conflicts) + Windows Defender.
Do not, please, tell me that WD is weaker then SD, I know that :), but ThreatFire will give support to it I hope :)

When it will be improved in SD with consumption of cpu, memory then I return it for real-time protection with pleasure.

I just wrote the following in another thread which may also be what you are experiencing.

What could be happening is when you run a scan with SD and you have the real time protection on more than 1 application, they are probably also monitoring the same areas, causing conflicts with each other, since its doing the same thing, which can have the effects of slowing down your PC during a scan and general usage. It is always advised to run only one real time protection from whichever software you think will protect you best and use the other products as an on demand scanner. This is why there are always less problems with a security suite ;) But then some people like to mix and match to make the ultimate set up, but thats understandable.

Since you already have ESET's real time protection, TF, WD and SD for scanning, your pc should be well protected.

c_edge

[Greyhound]

c-edge,
Thank you for reply.
I know the gold rule :) to have on-real time protection 1 antivir+1antispyware +1firewall.
Might be I didnt explain clear.
I meant that before my combination ESET Antivir+SD 5.xx.212+ Comodo Firewall worked perfect.
When I tried ESET+SD 5.xx.322 + Comodo Firewall I noticed the significant increase of consuming cpu and memory (only version of SD changed).
So it obvious that the new version of SD uses more cpu and memory then before.
I just say my wish that SD team pays attention to that, thats all.

The problem of using security suites is that very often some of utilities are strong, and other is weak.
For example ESET Antivir is one of the best in the market ( tests of Virus Bulletin, AV-test-org and others).
But what the sense to use ESET Smart Security Suite if ESET Firewall is actually nothing according to tests. So I use my combination as I wrote above.

[Greyhound]

Just want to add to my previous post.
NEVER rely on one layer of protection.

From my expirience:

Before I had on real-time protection Kaspersky Internet Security + SD v5.xx212 .

One day I got a nastier from internet.
My screen got blue. When I restarted computer KIS was disable ( no protection at all) and no chance to start it, CCleaner was dead, Securuty Center in Vista was dead. That nastier killed them. I was surprised with KIS :( in that case, huh....
But SD v5.xx.212 gave the alarm on restart and blocked the process and killed a couple of things.
Then I restated computer and KIS started properly and finished the job - killed 3 things more.
You cannot be sure with one layer of protection.
So, for me it is a pity that I have not now SD on-real time protection.
But hope, SD team will improve consuming of cpu and memory in the future.

[Greyhound]

WOW!!!
Today SD got a lot of updates, and not only signatures.
I tried SD after that.
The results are great:
Intelli scan took on my computer 2,5-3 min before . Now only 56-58 sec.
Memory consumption decreased considerably.

I want to say thanks for the great gob to SD team.
Now SD is on duty in my computer again and I am glad so much.
Thanks a lot.