Anti Virus Scan question

[Duckjake]

My anti-virus software recently started taking hours to complete a scan. Is this normal? We have a lot of stuff on the computer but have never had a scan last 4-5 hours like it has lately.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

If a file is open, locked, or inaccessible, it can increase the time of a virus scan. Some scans wait seconds for a file to unlock, some wait minutes or longer.

I would remove all of you temporary internet files before running a virus scan, that should help with the time.

 

[Covert Rain]

My anti-virus software recently started taking hours to complete a scan. Is this normal? We have a lot of stuff on the computer but have never had a scan last 4-5 hours like it has lately.

How much room do you have left on your hard drive? If your HD is almost full that could be it too. Are you running XP? It's notorius for slowing down if your HD space is very limited. If it's only the Virus scan software then I agree with dream.

 

[Duckjake]

How much room do you have left on your hard drive? If your HD is almost full that could be it too. Are you running XP? It's notorius for slowing down if your HD space is very limited. If it's only the Virus scan software then I agree with dream.

I have 176 of 226 GB left on my drive. I'll try the other deal. FYI the virus scan is still running. It started at 3AM CDT.

 

[UncleChris]

Try running a boot scan, if it is available to you. It's faster, and it might just pick up something that it wouldn't otherwise, running under XP.....

 

[Ryanwb]

You don't need to scan your computer everyday if you're running real time virus protection. Scan at like 3 am on Sundays, or if that time is prime porn viewing time then adjust for what works for you

 

[Covert Rain]

Try running a boot scan, if it is available to you. It's faster, and it might just pick up something that it wouldn't otherwise, running under XP.....

I agree. It could be that your PC is infected already. A boot scan will catch them before your OS boots up. By the way what Virus Scan software are you using?

 

[Duckjake]

I agree. It could be that your PC is infected already. A boot scan will catch them before your OS boots up. By the way what Virus Scan software are you using?

How do you run a boot scan? I'm running ca internet security suite.

I just came home from work and the virus scan is still going.

 

[Covert Rain]

How do you run a boot scan? I'm running ca internet security suite.

I just came home from work and the virus scan is still going.

There is usually an option for scheduling a virus scan. For instance schedule for the next time you boot. It varies from program to program. Look in your prefernces or options sections. There should be something in there about STARTUP scan, BOOT Scan, On Demand scan or something similar.

The way your system is acting leads me to believe that you might already have a virus. Some viruses like to hose up a swap file or something to prevent anti-virus programs from doing there thing. If a computer is able to complete a boot up scan prior to the virus running after OS boot, this can detect and delete it.

You could also trying using some of the free suites like AVAST to sort of get a second opinion so to speak. Let us know how it goes.

 

[UncleChris]

You could also trying using some of the free suites like AVAST to sort of get a second opinion so to speak. Let us know how it goes.

Great idea! And when you get it all cleaned up, lose your existing virus scan software and stick with Avast..... It's free, with free updates, and it receives a five-star editor's rating from CNet.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

I currently use it with no known viruses.

 

[Covert Rain]

Great idea! And when you get it all cleaned up, lose your existing virus scan software and stick with Avast..... It's free, with free updates, and it receives a five-star editor's rating from CNet.

I currently use it with no known viruses.

I recommend it to all that don't have anything and to those with expiring AV software.

 

[Duckjake]

I shut down my CA software and downloaded the AVAST and did a boot scan.

But I can't tell if anything happened.

Is there a log somewhere?

 

[Covert Rain]

I shut down my CA software and downloaded the AVAST and did a boot scan.

But I can't tell if anything happened.

Is there a log somewhere?

Yes, when you launch the GUI there is a virus log. It shows the history of any virus found on the computer. If there was a virus found that probably was the problem. If there were no virus's found and it completed a full scan, I would say the problem was in your other Virus software.

The fact that your other couldn't complete the scan and AVAST could says something about your other software if no virus was found.

 

[Duckjake]

Yes, when you launch the GUI there is a virus log. It shows the history of any virus found on the computer. If there was a virus found that probably was the problem. If there were no virus's found and it completed a full scan, I would say the problem was in your other Virus software.

The fact that your other couldn't complete the scan and AVAST could says something about your other software if no virus was found.

When I start up AVAST I get something that looks like a media player! It may be great AV software but it was such a pain to operate that I removed it because having two AVs at the same time is not a good idea.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

When I start up AVAST I get something that looks like a media player! It may be great AV software but it was such a pain to operate that I removed it because having two AVs at the same time is not a good idea.

I would have removed your previous AV, before installing AVAST. Avast is very easy to use too.

 

[Covert Rain]

I would have removed your previous AV, before installing AVAST. Avast is very easy to use too.

Yep. Should have mentioned that. You need to remove the old virus software first. Sometime having to running the same time can even prevent some virus infections avoid detection.

Also, your talking about the pop up with AVAST. If you look in the lower right hand corner of your screen (taskbar) you would see an "a" icon. If you right click the ICON, there is an option to launch the actual interface. I think if I remember correctly, it's rather easy from that point to see the Virus chest or log.