Before switching to Kaspersky...

[UserZero]

...I'm just curious if ANY attempt will ever be made to resolve the PTSDwA programming error that causes it to use 100% of one of my dual CPUs, 100% of the time, with no disk or network activity visible. I've noted that others have also posted about this same problem for years.

This occurs on two completely different XP-Pro based systems - one a laptop and one a desktop.

Furthermore, unless ALL of the various "Intelliguard" features are enabled on the laptop, PTSDwA refuses to boot up with LIMITED Protection. It simply boots up disabled, irrespective of how it's configured.

Renewal comes up at the end of this month, so speak now...

[haapy]

You posted this in the PCT Internet Security forum, but it sounds like you are using PCT Spyware Doctor with Antivirus. Please confirm.

What Firewall are you using?

What other anti-malware programs are you using?

Are you on XP Service Pack 3?

Are you on the latest version of SDA 6.1.0.447?

[AChen]

If you are referring to Spyware Doctor, we currently have a beta version for Spyware Doctor available and you might want to check this out to see if this helps. Let me know if you do choose to take this option and I can arrange it for you.

It would also be good if you could provide some more info as per Haapy's post and we can investigate this further.

[UserZero]

Guys,

If this is in the wrong forum, please move this post/thread as necessary.

I asked if this problem has been addressed.

I'm not interested in switching from software that I know doesn't work to something I know hasn't been thoroughly tested (i.e., beta software).

I paid for functional software. I didn't pay for the privilege of testing beta software.

If the problem is being addressed, directly, I'd like to know. And if so, what has been done to fix it and when is the planned commercial release?

If the problem is NOT being addressed, directly, as it appears it has not for a long, long time, I'd like to know that too so I can plan accordingly.

Thank you for your replies.

[haapy]

Post moved to Spyware Doctor forum.

If you answered our questions we might be able to help a bit more.

[ohso]

> I'm just curious if ANY attempt will ever be made to resolve the PT SDwA programming error that causes it to use 100% of one of my dual CPUs, 100% of the time, with no disk or network activity visible.

I have similar (but not identical) problems.

> I've noted that others have also posted about this same problem for _years_.

Exactly. And I've never heard a good explanation.

> This occurs on two completely different XP-Pro based systems

We have SDwAV .447 (paid version) on:
1. XP Pro + SP3, Comodo Pro firewall
2. XP Pro + SP3, Windows firewall
3. XP Home + SP3, Comodo Pro firewall

No other AV running. (2 of the 3 have other AV installed, but turned off in Services except when using.)

The symptom is identical for all 3 computers. Like you say, the disk access light is OFF while it hangs.

Here is a major clue for PCT: this problem only occurs (for me) when I log into the _admin_ acct. It hangs for several minutes (2-4). Then it finally returns to system idle. All three computers.

One of our users who uses the admin acct frequently to install software just shuts off SDwAV. It drives me up the wall. That jeopardizes the other computers. Since neither PCT nor I have, or can, solve his problem, this encourages me to drop SDwAV.

We have NIS2009 installed on another computer. I gave up on it several years ago because of resource utilization. I read multiple good reviews of the current product, so when we got another computer that's what I put on it because of this problem with SDwAV.

I am stunned, actually, at how little resources the current NIS version uses. The reviews said that, but it was hard to believe based on past experience. I'm now at the point where I'm scratching my head wondering how it can be effective using so little resources. Process Explorer shows that it's rarely active.

Two things have to happen for us to stay with SDwAV.
1. We need a good explanation (not a gloss over) of what is happening and why.
2. The problem must be fixed in the next release.

Well, I guess there's one more that is at least as old as this problem:
3. What, exactly, are "ignored infections" and where are these infections located?

Every week that these problems continue, PCT loses customers, current and potential.

[UserZero]

No straight answer then? Fine. That tells me what I need to know.

Here's the info you asked for, which is unrelated to the question I asked:

What Firewall are you using?
Windows XP Pro built-in firewall.

What other anti-malware programs are you using?
None.

Are you on XP Service Pack 3?
Desktop is on SP2. Laptop is a two-year-old Inspiron 9400 (not readily available at the moment) purchased in April of 2007.

Are you on the latest version of SDA 6.1.0.447?
Yes. Both systems. Both are set for automatic update.

Here's another broken piece of code, while we're at it...

About every fifth time I try to bring up the PTSDwA U/I, I get a pop-up telling me I have to run Smart Update. When I click Continue to run the update, another dialog pops up telling me I already have the most current version. When I click OK, I get a pop-up telling me I have to run Smart Update. When I click Continue to run the update, another dialog pops up telling me I already have the most current version. When I click OK, I get a pop-up telling me I have to run Smart Update. When I click Continue to run the update, another dialog pops up telling me I already have the most current version. When I click OK, I get a pop-up telling me I have to run Smart Update. When I click Continue to run the update, another dialog pops up telling me I already have the most current version. When I click OK, I get a pop-up...

You get the picture.

Only a reboot seems to fix this brain-dead behavior.

And yes, as you may have noticed, it's pretty annoying.

[haapy]

OK. XP SP3 would be a good thing to do, just a recommendation.

Let's try..

1. Download and install CCleaner from filehippo.com (free). Run Cleaner and run Registry as many times as it takes to show no errors.

2. Uninstall SD with AV, delete \program files\spyware doctor, download and re-install SD w AV from PCtools.com.

see if that helps

[UserZero]

Perhaps I wasn't clear.

Is this problem going to be addressed in the product? Ever? Or isn't it?

Perhaps you can explain, first, exactly what these steps are intended to accomplish.

How does this identical problem manifest on two completely different systems from different manufacturers with completely different configurations?

Has PTSDwA corrupted my system(s) in some way that I now need to run registry cleaning software and delete the installation directory in order to fix the problem? If so, you may have a serious problem on your hands.

"Reinstall it" has been the standard "fix" for almost every major problem with every poorly designed Windows application I've used since Win 2.03. This isn't some game program or a FAX utility we're talking about here. I'm depending on this application to protect my data and my network. I expect it to be reliable and to continue to do what I configure it to do without hogging half a dual CPU for no discernible reason.

Maybe you can see where I'm (and, based on reading the forums here, others are) going with this: to another product.

[AChen]

On every major release, we are constantly looking at ways to improve our products. This will affect, system performance, scan engines, new features, bug fixes etc. We look at every aspect of the program and are always looking at ways to improve. From the general feedback, performance has improved, however, we still get the odd CPU affecting performance reports. We constantly look at ways to resolve and improve this. We are always testing our products and if we are able to recreate a problem, we will resolve this as soon as possible.

[jimboc007]

@UserZero,
My advice is to follow what AChen and haapy ask you to do. They know what they are talking about. They have fixed difficult problems with Spyware Doctor for me on numerous occasions.

They are asking you to install XP SP3 and run CCleaner since the problem may not be caused by PC Tools Spyware Doctor with Anti Virus. They are just trying to eliminate other contributing factors. This will narrow down the cause of the real problem. Also, try to answer the questions they ask and not half answer them e.g.

Question: “Are you on XP Service Pack 3?

Answer: Desktop is on SP2. Laptop is a two-year-old Inspiron 9400 (not readily available at the moment) purchased in April of 2007”.

What has purchased in April 2007 got to do with anything?

UserZero, don’t ask for help if you are not going to follow the troubleshooting steps you are asked to perform. If the problem is with Spyware Doctor with Anti Virus, I am sure it will be fixed. It cannot be fixed until the cause is known to be Spyware Doctor with Anti Virus not “possibly could be” Spyware Doctor with Anti Virus.

If you really cared about the security of your PCs you wouldn’t be using Windows built in firewall and would be using XP SP3 with all updates from http://update.microsoft.com installed. It won’t take too much effort to use a free antivirus product until your problem with Spyware Doctor with Anti Virus is fixed.

You might think I have been too harsh on you, but you need to change your attitude when troubleshooting such issues. I had a similar attitude when I had problems with Spyware Doctor and it didn’t get me anywhere. At least I learned from that mistake.

I now have Spyware Doctor (without Anti-virus) 6.1.0.447 working on all of my machines (XP SP 3 32 bit) perfectly. I also use Symantec Norton Internet Security 2009 (soon to be 2010). AChen’s and haapy’s advice worked for me.

[sprintman]

NIS 2010 is a nice upgrade from the awesome NIS 2009 and the most seamless upgrade I've ever done. Works fine with SD 4.1.x I use.