OverBurn
join:2004-02-21
Greenwood, IN
| AVG 8 Free Better Than 7.5 After Tweaking
I was disappointed with AVG 8 Free at first, but after some searching and tweaking I like it better. I hated the Link Scanner and the "Dropdown Notification" in the main User Interface window.
IMO it has a much better interface than any of AVG's previous versions. It has the same number of running services (4) and only takes 13MB more running memory and includes spyware scanning. After tweaking it runs just as good or better than 7.5 with no noticeable hit to performance at all.
To get rid of the "Dropdown Notification" all you have to do is change 2 files in the "AVG8" folder located in "Program Files".
Change avgresf.dll to> avgresf.dll.bak
Change avgmwdef_us.mht to> avgmwdef_us.mht.bak
To install AVG 8 without the Link Scanner at all. Run the installation with these parameters:
/REMOVE_FEATURE fea_AVG_SafeSurf /REMOVE_FEATURE fea_AVG_SafeSearch
To disable Link Scanner or more detailed info on installing without the Link Scanner: »free.grisoft.com/ww.faq.num-1241#faq_1241 |
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FiOS Dan
Premium
join:2001-07-06
Redondo Beach, CA | Thanks for the tips. May have to try them soon.  |
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rugmankc
join:2007-11-26
Fairborn, OH | reply to OverBurn
Any drawbacks to making those changes. I am a computer dummy on most things.
Let us know if the changes cause any problems.
Ken |
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danny9
Go Ahead, Make My Day
Premium
join:2002-07-14
Clinton Township, MI
clubs: 
 ·VoicePulse
 ·Comcast
| reply to OverBurn
Thanks for the tips but my question is why any user should have to go thru all this bs just to get it to work right?
It should work right out of the box.
To many other good av's out there to chose from.
Just my opnion.
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VoicePulse 07/29/04 |
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j2
join:2006-04-16
90271 | reply to OverBurn
So what happens if u get infected by unknown malware and malware disables your AV? Will u see any notifications by AVG? |
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The Penguin
join:2001-07-31
45 South
| reply to OverBurn
Well, I've happily used AVG for a long time. A couple of days ago I installed their latest version 8, as support disappears for 7.5 at the end of this month.
Result is, after much messing around, I am now switching to another AV program. 
For some reason I just cannot get this latest version of AVG to scan my incoming emails even after following their 'help' FAQ's and configuring the settings. Also, my browser (Firefox) has frozen a few times since installing this latest version. I don't know if this is just a coincidence but others on the AVG forum also report this problem.
I disabled LinkScanning as this seemed to slow things up too.
V8 also suddenly came up with warnings for several trojans etc (200+) which I eventually traced to being caused by AVG detecting reg entries that had been inserted by SpywareBlaster.
Overall, I think AVG seems to be going the way of some other previously good user friendly programs by trying to become too 'clever'.
I'm switching to Avast in the meantime and may try AVG again when a later version has hopefully ironed out its apparent problems. |
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HA Nut
Premium
join:2004-05-13
USA
1 edit | reply to danny9
said by danny9  :Thanks for the tips but my question is why any user should have to go thru all this bs just to get it to work right? It should work right out of the box. To many other good av's out there to chose from. Just my opnion. This is the key. Most AV users that had AVG in the past did a default install and had good results. Now they must customize the installation to have a usable system? Sorry, but that's just wrong. AVG 7.5 is now on my niece's PC. Thankfully, she called me before upgrading to 8.0. What a problem that would have been! Needless to say, it's coming off as soon as I have time... |
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falcon04
join:2005-03-03
2 edits | reply to OverBurn
Here's a summary of the "tweaks" compiled from various sources which I've used for a successful install on a number of XP SP2 boxes.
These mods provide a "bare-bones" installation, without the LinkScanner, E-mail Scanner, or MS Office plugins which IMHO defeat the purpose of a free & straightforward AV and AS application.
--------------------------------- cleanup prior to install -------------------------------------
Using "Add/Remove Programs", Uninstall AVG 7.5
Using "Add/Remove Programs", Uninstall AVG AntiSpyware
Remove any registry entries that refer to "Ewido" if you've had Ewido AntiSpyware or AVG AntiSpyware installed.
( I use RegSeeker for this, YMMV )
------------------------------ download installer & install ---------------------------
Download the AVG 8.0 Free Edition installation file "avg_free_stf_en_8_100a1295.exe" from:
»www.grisoft.cz/filedir/inst/avg_···1295.exe
Save to disk C:\ ( Root directory ) ( MUST BE in C:\ for the following to work properly )
Start -> Run
Copy & Paste the EXACT following line in the "Open:" space:
c:\avg_free_stf_en_8_100a1295.exe /REMOVE_FEATURE fea_AVG_SafeSurf /REMOVE_FEATURE fea_AVG_SafeSearch
Hit "Enter"
Follow the install instructions, BUT:
Do not install E-mail scanner.
Do not install MS Office plug-ins.
------------------------------------- Updates -----------------------------------------------
In "Tools > Advanced Settings > Schedules > Scheduled Scan", uncheck "Enable this task".
In "Tools > Advanced Settings > Schedules > Program Update Schedule", uncheck "Enable this task".
In "Tools > Advanced Settings > Schedules > Virus Database Update Schedule", check "Enable this task" and "Run on computer startup if task has been missed",
and set "Run at specific time" to 3:00 AM
Use Windows Scheduled Tasks to do as many silent updates as you want - I do noon and 6:00 PM, YMMV.
Task Scheduler "Run:" line is:
"C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG8\avgupd.exe" /sched=
( the /sched= caused the update to be silent )
Task Scheduler "Start In:" line is:
"C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG8"
The foregoing causes AVG to update when I turn the computer on in the morning, and then to do other silent updates outside of the programs one-time limitation.
Leaving the Virus database update enabled in this fashion avoids the tray icon warning and achieves a startup update. The Program Update schedule can be disabled as I assume program updates will be infrequent and well publicized, and I want only one updater working within the program )
----------------------------------------------------
Disable ( by renaming ) avgmwdef_us.mht and avgresf.dll to eliminate the update nag drop down. ( the default location for these files is C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG8 )
----------------------------------------------------
In "Tools > Advanced Settings > Schedules > LinkScanner", uncheck everything. ( This may be redundant since linkscanner was not installed, but the GUI still shows it, FWIW. )
These issues and steps are truly a poor reflection on the AVG folks - an installation should not be so hard ! |
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SoonerAl
Old Enough To Know Better
Premium,MVM
join:2002-07-23
Norman, OK
|  reply to OverBurn
said by OverBurn :To get rid of the "Dropdown Notification" all you have to do is change 2 files in the "AVG8" folder located in "Program Files". Change avgresf.dll to> avgresf.dll.bak Change avgmwdef_us.mht to> avgmwdef_us.mht.bak Thanks for that...
The notification dropdown was driving me insane fast... 
--
"When all else fails, read the instructions..."
MS-MVP Windows – Desktop User Experience |
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ZZZZZZZ
Premium
join:2001-05-27
PARADISE
| reply to danny9
quote:
Thanks for the tips but my question is why any user should have to go thru all this bs just to get it to work right?
It should work right out of the box.
To many other good av's out there to chose from.
Thats the smartest statement anyone has said with AVG in the topic.
--
~~Get our troops home...now!!~~ |
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mark5019
join:2002-03-30
Atlanta, GA | i installed avg 8 free and lo and behold it works no problems
i had to remove ewido tracks but wasnt any hardship
its free costs nada to use avg 8 |
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Thug21
Just Chillin'
Premium
join:2005-08-21
3 edits | reply to The Penguin
said by The Penguin :Well, I've happily used AVG for a long time. A couple of days ago I installed their latest version 8, as support disappears for 7.5 at the end of this month. From what was said by admins on the AVG Free forum, that May deadline is incorrect or a marketing ploy. AVG 7.5 should be supported till Dec.
To the OP, thanks for the tips - I'll try them if I give 8 a whirl. |
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danny9
Go Ahead, Make My Day
Premium
join:2002-07-14
Clinton Township, MI
clubs: | reply to ZZZZZZZ
Thank you ZZZZZZZ.
--
VoicePulse 07/29/04 |
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OverBurn
join:2004-02-21
Greenwood, IN
2 edits | reply to danny9
said by danny9 :Thanks for the tips but my question is why any user should have to go thru all this bs just to get it to work right? It should work right out of the box. To many other good av's out there to chose from. Just my opnion. Good point, but I've used AVG for a long time and I don't mind doing a little tweaking. I'm a tweaker, whether it's a car or a PC, I have to tweak every setting or any part that's tweakable. Takes me weeks to get my PC setup the way I want it after a fresh install. 
falcon04, thanks for the expanded info, should be more helpful to people. |
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falcon04
join:2005-03-03
| You're welcome - I corrected the embedded link. This is just a capsule of my notes which I've distributed to those folks I've recommended AVG to over time.
Now they're not so mad at me !
Hey, at least it's not an old TR-3 with twin SU Carbs ! ( Now THAT was tweaking - using a toilet paper tube to sinc the carbs ! ) |
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PeteC2
Got Mouse?
Premium,MVM
join:2002-01-20
Bristol, CT
clubs:
 ·AT&T Yahoo
| Yeah those Bustards! ("Bustards" are an extinct bird, btw)
How dare they change anything? I want my money back! Oh, yeah...it was free...
--
...something is happening here but you don't know what it is...do you, Mr. Jones? |
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jabarnut
Light Years Away
Premium,MVM
join:2005-01-22
Galaxy M31
| reply to OverBurn
Thanks for the tips on tweaking AVG 8 guys.
I've been complaining in a lot of threads about the change, but now I'm happy with it. (I agree, you shouldn't really have to "tweak it" to get it to work right, but it was easy and well worth it in my opinion).
If you're really bored (and I mean REALLY bored), further details in another post.
»Re: AVG 8?????
--
I had a life once.....now I have a Computer and a Modem. |
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OverBurn
join:2004-02-21
Greenwood, IN
| reply to OverBurn
Maybe I spoke to soon, after tweaking I thought everything was fine. I may have to find another AV program, because the behavior of AVG 8 is unacceptable.
Now I have random problems when opening the start menu. Program shortcuts do not respond, it's like the menu delay is turned on the slowest delay setting, when I have it set to the fastest.
I know it's caused by AVG 8, cause "avgrsx.exe" goes to 100% CPU usage while the menu is hung. As soon as "avgrsx.exe" goes back to zero the menu opens. It seems like forever, but probably a 5-15 second delay at times, depending on the size of the shortcut folder. Also noticed desktop icons go blank and refresh randomly and it's caused by avgrsx also. I set the paths to all program shortcuts to be ignored by AVG, but it makes no difference, avgrsx still scans these files and causes long menu delays. Turning off the resident shield fixes the problem, but what's the point of a AV that you can't leave turned on.
The PC that is having these problems is not a blazing fast new dual core PC, but it's not bad either (P4-3.4, 4-GB Memory) Dell 8400. This is a clean, new install with SP3 that seemed to be very fast, till the AVG 8 problems. |
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Finger2208
join:2001-04-07
Lindale, TX
| said by OverBurn :Maybe I spoke to soon, after tweaking I thought everything was fine. I may have to find another AV program, because the behavior of AVG 8 is unacceptable. Now I have random problems when opening the start menu. Program shortcuts do not respond, it's like the menu delay is turned on the slowest delay setting, when I have it set to the fastest. I know it's caused by AVG 8, cause "avgrsx.exe" goes to 100% CPU usage while the menu is hung. As soon as "avgrsx.exe" goes back to zero the menu opens. It seems like forever, but probably a 5-15 second delay at times, depending on the size of the shortcut folder. Also noticed desktop icons go blank and refresh randomly and it's caused by avgrsx also. I set the paths to all program shortcuts to be ignored by AVG, but it makes no difference, avgrsx still scans these files and causes long menu delays. Turning off the resident shield fixes the problem, but what's the point of a AV that you can't leave turned on. The PC that is having these problems is not a blazing fast new dual core PC, but it's not bad either (P4-3.4, 4-GB Memory) Dell 8400. This is a clean, new install with SP3 that seemed to be very fast, till the AVG 8 problems. Yeah, it definitely shouldn't be doing that. I'm running a slower CPU, P4 3.06 with 1 GB of rdram. My rig is not a Dell, but a custom (Asus mobo, etc.) I simply disabled the AVG Safe Surf in IE7 and have had none of those types of issues, with an install of XP that is 3 years old now! And yes, I have SP3 as well.
I'm kind of wondering if the 4 GB of ram is messing with it somehow, as it is the top limit for a 32 bit install. If it doesn't bother you to go inside the box I would try and remove a stick of ram and see if the problem persists. Just a thought... |
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Finger2208
join:2001-04-07
Lindale, TX
| NHRARacer,
Sorry, but another thought here. You say the rig with issues is a Dell with a "fresh" install of XP. When you installed, did you also use your Dell resource CD and install all the needed drivers? I'm curious, as my daughter crapped her Latitude's hdd about a year ago. She attempted to install the OS herself, and installed incorrect drivers from the Dell website. Her laptop was extremely laggy, to the point that she made the three hour drive home from college for me to fix it. Another format and reinstall of the OS, along with installing the correct drivers, fixed her issue. |
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