Malwarebytes Anti-Malware update causes system lockup

Wednesday 07 Apr 2010

I am using a registered installation of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
ver. 1.45 which has on many occasions caused a system lockup
during regular manual updates.

These are the symptoms:

• the update dialog box appears but the download progress bar does
  not indicate any activity.
  
• the update dialog box can not be closed
  
• the update process can not be terminated
  
• trying to terminate the mbamgui or mbamservice with Windows
  Task Manager has no effect
  
• initiating a system Restart through the shut down dialog does not
  work; the system is locked.
  
• The only solution is to turn off the computer with the power
  button or to unplug the computer.

Firewall settings: PC Tools Firewall Plus free v6.0.0.88

mbamgui.exe​

• modify system and applications: Allow
• Access Physical Memory: Ask

mbam.exe​

• modify system and applications: Allow
• Access Physical Memory: Ask

mbam-setup_1-42.exe​

• modify system and applications: Allow
• Access Physical Memory: Allow

System:
Windows XP Home SP3
Total Physical Memory: 915888Kb

This has been an ongoing problem for several months.
I have removed and reinstalled the program at least once.

If this problem can not be resolved, I will have to discontinue
using it and purchase another program for real-time protection.

Can someone help with this?
It is obviously annoying.

Thanks!! :confused
mjnc

 

just to test things out, have you tried an offline update to see if it takes without a problem? MBAM Rules

and are you running any other real-time anti virus programs?

 

And take a look at this thread for security setup, save a few bucks using AVG or Avast;

http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=44525
:wave

 

AVG and Avast do NOT target the same things that malwarebytes does. I have Malwarebytes running along with AntiVir (similar to AVG and Avast) both monitoring in real time.

You might have a conflict with PCTools Firewall Plus and Malwarebytes. I'm not familiar with PCTools Firewall Plus.

 

Hello folks.
Thanks for your replies.
Sorry I've been away.
I did not get any e-mail notification as usual,
so I thought that there was no response?
I just checked my settings and it looks OK,
so I don't know what happened.

@brandypeppy
Just to clarify:
I am also using Avast anti-virus free.
Malwarebytes is for additional protection.

@thesmokingun
I downloaded that file and started to run it, but the dialog box
says that it will install Malwarebyte's anti-malware.
So, i don't get it? I already have the latest version installed.

@plodr
I used to use Avira Antivir but wanted to give Avast a try.
I was wondering about a possible conflict with either the firewall or anti-virus.
As I showed in my first post, both mbam.exe and mbamgui.exe are configured
to Allow access to the system and applications in the firewall app.
However, it is set to Ask to Access Physical Memory.
I have not tried changing that.
Often the update goes smoothly, but then for some reason it just starts
the freeze activity.

Do you think its OK to change the Access Physical Memory setting?
I know very little about how firewalls work.
I just answer the prompts when the dialogs pop up and I set it Allow
access and create a rule as such.

Thanks.

 

I don't know firewall rules (I sit behind a router and use a very, very old version of Zone Alarm as my firewall).

I think it is safe to allow your security programs to use the memory they need without asking for permission so I would change the 'ask" to "allow"

As far as malwarebytes, there was a new build recently so perhaps you do not have the newest build. If the smoking gun's link wants to install mbam again, I'd say, let it. It won't install a 2nd copy. Mbam is pretty good about cleaning up after itself.

 

The latest build is 1.45, which is what I have installed.
I have the software configured to automatically

'Download and install program update if avalable' ​

I keep a close eye on that stuff and manually update the anti-virus and Malwarebytes more than once a day.

I will change the firewall settings and see if that helps.

Thanks. :wave
mjnc