AVG9 Slow IE8 Tab Closing

Hello,

Manually downloaded & installed latest AVG9 build 9.0.839 because 9.0.830 was causing many IE8 headaches. Also uninstalled Zone Alarm FireWall because of the AVG-ZA conflicts. Installed PCTools Free Firewall. So far, so good, still thinking of changing one or other again if need be.

I regularly delete browsing history and run CCleaner frequently too. I am a heavy user of tabs and have set the registry dword value to 10 for maximum connections. I can easily have 50-75+ tabs open.

Question - Why do I start out being able to close tabs almost instanteously and eventually closing a tab becomes as slow as molasses? Restarting system does solve issue. Would it be an AVG thing or a memory leak? How/what do I do to test?

Thanks for suggestions,
Dood1emom

ie8, win xp sp3, 3g ram, geforce 8600 gt

 

Lot a Tabs.

Have you tried a different browser like Chrome, Firefox 3 or Opera to see if they show the same symptoms? If they don't then I would be looking at IE for the problem. If they do then I'd suspect AVG.

When this situation occurs take a look in task manager to see what processes are showing the highest "CPU usage" and memory usage. Could depend too on what else is running in the background. So while you're are looking at the task manager see how many processes are running for all users.

 

Internet Explorer is a resource hog. You should use a better browser.

 

Hi,

Back with question. First, I'd switch to another browser, but not having any luck running RoboForm w/FF, so that's that for me.

Found a thread somewhere that suggested simply booting into Safe Mode and then restarting system normally. For whatever reason, my system does seem to be running better.

Took forever, but tabs did finally start to hang on closing. Via taskmanager I killed avgwdsvc.exe. Tabs back to lightning close. Does this suggest it's an AVG9 thing?

thx,
dood1emom

 

Hi dood1emom, This is interesting, because I also have AVG9, and PC Tools Firewall Plus and IE 7. I am not experiencing the same issues as you are.

Did you have this problem before installing PC Tools FW? Also, when you installed PC Tools FW, did you also install the "Threatfire"? If so, you may have to remove it and reinstall it, but be sure to un-tick the "THREATFIRE"

Sounds to me like a conflict, yes, but if you have the Threatfire installed, it could be conflicting with your AV, no matter what you have. Take a look at it, and see if you can find threatfire, and if so, just uninstall and then reinstall, but without the Threatfire.

Another thing it could be, is the "Link Scanner" on AVG 9. I use it, but I am on a DUN anyway, so if after reinstalling, you still have same issue, just disable the link scanner.

Yes, IE is my preferred & favorite browser, and I haven't had any issues. I think it is just a matter of tweaking.

Also, I have heard of lots of issues with ZA.

 

Hi TeeCee,

Thanks for input. I am not sure if slow tab thing was prior to PC Tools because the AVG-ZA thing had been ongoing. Started in March w/AVG 8.5 update that AVG sent, things got so bad that I had to disable the AVG8 Free Network Redirector device in order to be able to even use IE8. Was okay then AVG did some updates and IE8 was so bogged down again.

Uninstalled AVG9 and ZA, then reinstalled AVG9 + PC Tools - things much better but when AVG updated to the build 9.0.830, it definitely was not working for me, so I uninstalled and put in 9.0.839. As far as PC Tools goes, i don't think I installed "ThreatFire" - I only see the PC Tools FireWall Plus.

I prefer to use the Link Scanner - the only thing I personally see slowed by it is my "email on the web" service; because I had such a nasty virus attack previously, I just like the idea of it - I do now always surf web as a limited user, so if the linkscanner is overkill, let me know. It's just eventually tabs become soooo slow to close and I'm not sure what to hunt down.

Two last, no three things: I did install the AVG9 toolbar, keep it disabled unless I want to use it to turn on/off LinkScanner and AVG's SafeSearch features - should I try unistalling it?

I am getting an FWServce.exe memory can't be read something or other when I shut off my system; haven't followed thru on it yet. I may have went brain dead and installed PC Tools with the AVG AV turned on, so perhaps something didn't install right.

And I am having an IE8 shortcuts quit working/get mixed up issue, particularly after visiting a flash-based website, but that's for another thread.

Thanks for ideas,
dood1emom

 

Hi dood1emom, Sounds like you do have some issues. I do not have the toolbar installed. You can disable that, and still bring up the AVG Interface, by R. clicking on the icon in the system tray. Once open, you can do anything such as, disable the link scanner, or enable the link scanner. I would try disabling the toolbar, and see how things go. If the problem still exists, then disable the link scanner, and one by one, we should find where the issue is.

On mine, I only have the AVG 9 Free edition, I have the following enabled:

• link scanner
• e-mail
• Anti-Virus
• Resident Shield
• Update Manager
• Anti-Spyware
• License

The reason I asked about the "Threatfire" on PC Tools FW Plus, is that may have a conflict with an anti virus because it isn't good to have two anti-spyware, because they can cause conflicts.. But, now, if you don't have the "Threatfire" installed, we will work with the toolbar and link scanner for now.

I am also wondering, if it is an issue in IE 8 too, because of your other issues.

Yes, good idea. One thing at a time
B
ut, we will do the process of elimination, first. Easy enough to enable or disable the toolbar and such. I would start with that. I assume you are on hi-speed connection? I am on a dial up, and no issues, but also, I am using IE7. rolleyes We will work thru this.

OK, if you can un-install the AVG9 toolbar, that would be a good start, and re-boot. Then, we will see how things go.

 

Will try to uninstall the AVG toolbar tonight and perhaps also uninstall - reinstall PC Tools to make sure it installed correctly as I think I may have installed it while AVG was active ... my swimkids will have me on the go tomorrow so may not be back for a day.

Thanks,
dood1emom

 

Hi dood1emom, sounds like a plan, that way you can un-tick the "ThreatFire". Take a look at this link, http://www.pctools.com/support/answers/id/1072/


and look at the screenshots. When you re-install it, be sure to un-tick the "ThreatFire" in screenshot #8. Untick that, and put a check mark in the Do not install ThreatFire Free Edition

Other than that, tick "Normal User" and all the rest should be fine with PC Tools FW. This way, we will be sure "ThreatFire" isn't installed.

OK, I'll see you when you get back

 

TeeCee,

I have uninstalled/reinstalled both AVG9 & PC Tool Free Firewall. I was never asked about the ThreatFire either time that I installed, so I am assuming it did not get installed. Will let you know how things are running after I muck around for the the day or so ... still seem to be having the shortcut keys issue, will let you know how tabs behave otherwise.

Thx,
dood1emom

 

Hi, dood1emom, that sounds fine, we will deal with one issue at a time.

 

Hi TeeCee,

Not much time lately, I think that the slow tab closing problem may be alleviated. Initial impression is that currently w/AVG9 Free + PC Tools that the tab closing problem is better, but overall surfing is slightly slower (I probably had done some tweaking somewhere). Will let you know, am also now going to go thru the AVG components one by one as you suggested to make sure none of them are culprits and also review PC Tools settings.

I definitely have still have some sort of issue causing my shortcuts to flip out, still trying to pin down so I can see if it's related. I think that if I run IE8 with the parameter -nomerge the glitch may not be present, but I haven't confirmed that yet.

Thanks,
dood1emom

 

Hello dood1emom, sounds like a plan, and if all the settings are correct, then I would susspect IE 8 to have issues.

Can you describe in more detail what is happening here?

A lot of add-ons that you had on IE 7 are not compatible with IE 8. If it continues, you may want to revert back to IE 7. Do keep me posted, thank you.

 

TeeCee,

Thank you for all the help - kids have majority of my free time this week. It seems that my IE8 tab slow close has been resolved, but will let you know.

I am receiving a FWService.exe memory can't be read at shutdow, will try to investige solution in a couple days.

I have turned off/on every Add On that I can think of to solve my keyboard issue - I did a post about it earlier called Roboform Hotkey Problem that I didn't get a response really from. Is there a way or just post screenshot for you to take a look at my Add Ons so that you could give me suggestions. Also, I got a hit from the web that the problem may be related to "IE8 disables special keys on keyboard" and to look for "FlashGet v3.3 BHO". I don't think I have that, but I'm not sure. I am quite sure that the problem is related to visiting flash-base websites.

Many thanks again,
dood1emom

 

Hi dood1emom ,:wave I think that may be an I.E. 8 issue, as a lot of add-ons you had in I.E.7 are not compatible with I.E.8. You may have to contact Microsoft on that, to find out if you need a whole different flash update for I.E.8. Maybe Brandypeppy will have more info on I.E.8, and what add-ons to use, and yes, you can post a screenshot if you wish.
Here is the link that will tell you how to do it: http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=26019

I am in no hurry, so anytime you have the time is fine

 

Hello dood1, and thanx for the kind words, TeeCee.

I try to keep this whole computer setup and security thing simple, and I have found a few things with respect to AVG and IE8.

I'll relate how I have handled this on dozens of systems, running from XP SP3 with 512M RAM, to Win7 with 8G RAM. It doesn't vary, and I have a 100% success experience.

IF I were working on your system, I would uninstall AVG and PC Tools.

Then I would re-install AVG, choose the custom installation option, and on the decision tree, uncheck ALL boxes but the top one, for anti virus.

In IE8, click on tools, manage add-ons, disable ALL items except for Shockwave and Java plug in. Disable all search providers and accelerators. Disable anything under in private filtering. In essence, you could disable everything in these menus and your internet will work better. Especially disable ALL that references to "toolbars", horrible annoyances!

Then, I would download and install Winpatrol;

http://majorgeeks.com/WinPatrol_d3380.html

I have attached a copy of my startup programs. I would pare yours down to look like that.

As I said, I've done this on dozens of systems, always successfully.

There are other tweaks that can help, but would need to know your OS and amount of RAM. Also, can't imagine why anyone would need 50 - 75+ tabs open, but that is none of my business.

 

Thank you Brandypeppy,

Will try to look at your suggestions in a few days (swim season almost over)! TeeCee, will try to post about my AddOns too. In the meantime, I have discovered one issue that I know was not here last month - Windows Update will absolutely not install Security Update for Windows XP (KB2229593) and Security Update for Microsoft Office Outlook 2003 (KB980373) since I uninstalled AVG9 & ZA, then reinstalled will AVG9 newest build and PC Tools. In June updates installed ok. Also, can't seem to track down the PC Tools FWService.exe error. Tried uninstall/reinstall with AVG turned off - no dice.

Have tried turning off PC Tools FW, (turned on MS), also tried disabling AVG. No luck, update just won't install - error message trying to install manually via Win Update site just says that something on my computer is not allowing installation and that update was cancelled.

In a nutshell, AVG-ZA conflict made internet near impossible back in March and I knew I had to deal with it eventually. Also, made changes with my DSL in May to higher speed. They mucked up everything associated with my phone service and bill. At one point I downloaded ATT self-service tool because I had to trace DSL problem (it was their router in another city that they had to fix a setting). I thought I uninstalled it all, but I can see a whole pile of their Motive and Alcatel-Lucent stuff that I know wasn't there b4 in my Add Ons. I am not seeing anything to uninstall via add/remove pgms or via the "All Programs" menu. Also purchased the Pro version of Roboform during this time. I'm a sweeper (laugh if you will, but I've won two Wii's and even a trip) so use RF to open tabs for me at once - that's why I can sometimes be such a heavy tab user. My computer has certainly paid for itself! Also bought a new mouse, too - Logitech M305. In short, I made more changes to my system in a relatively short time than I've probably made ever.

I do think the slow tab closing is resolved; that was my worst headache, but I'd sure like to nail down the keyboard shortcut thing because it's just a real pain.

Thx,
dood1emom

 

Hi dood1emom :wave I think you should listen to Brandy, as he knows IE 8 much better than I do. He can guide you but you will need to follow his suggestions.. Yes, ZA has been quite problematic for some, but I think Brandy is the best to help you now. We got the tab issue solved, and he is the dude for IE8

 

Okay, will start on suggestions either tonight or tomorrow night. Thank you,
TeeCee and Brandypeppy.

 

Hello Brandypeppy and TeeCee,

Sorry for delay. I think I have found the root of my IE8 shortcuts going haywire - please note that this is still somehow related to visiting flash type websites, but that's beyond my ken. I have disabled virtually everything in AddOns, leaving only Shockwave, Java, Flash and RoboForm enabled. By also terminating the program Texter, I seem to no longer be getting the mixups or incessantly wrong dialog box popping up. I know I had tried running with various things disabled and texter terminated too, so I'm guessing something else may be factoring in, but I can live with this solution! Because I have been working on a couple of things, I still need to uninstall/reinstall AVG, PC Tools and WinPatrol as you recommend, but I decided to leave everything alone while I contacted MS support ...

As far as the WinUpdate story goes, no luck, still won't install. I have worked briefly with TimW in Malware removal to doublecheck things, and MS support recommended install via SafeMode. I am attaching a screenshot of my error while attempting to install in SafeMode. (I have relayed error message to MS support.) Somehow it is related to my prior malware problems last fall. PC Help and Support was "damaged" by the attack and has never run quite "right". Since I can generate SysInfo, ect, by other methods, I never pursued solution. Anyways as I digress, if you have any further recommendations, I would appreciate your kind insights.

Sincerely,
dood1emom