MSAS hangs during scan

[Guest]

Just installed the latest version. Windows XP fully up-to-date.

I am unable to complete a scan. It run through all files to produce Scanned
22814 files - 0 items detected

When at the stage: showing message "Scanning for hidden items ... Scanning
memory: Variable browser hijack scan" nothing happened for over an hour!!
Behind the window main window I found what looks to be a pop-up. TitleBar
says "(Not Responding)", The rest of that window is blank.

No icons moving in main window. Check of CPU usage shows
GIANTAntiSpywareMain.exe sucking up 90%
plus.

Other running programs include ZoneAlarm Pro, Snoopfree, Epson Stylus

I'm lean and mean on processes: minimal Windows processes, AGV-related
processes, Epson printer related processes.

Tried running in safe mode. Broke at the same point.

Other components of MSAS seem to run OK.

 

[Guest]

Hi Steve

Try performing a repair and see if can then finish the scan.

Here's 2 ways to do that:

1. Goto "Start Menu" > "Control Panel" > "Add/Remove Programs" > Click
"Microsoft Antispyware" and you will see "Click Here For Support Information"
press this and then choose "Repair".

2. You can also press Change on the Add/Remove screen entry then when the
maintenance wizard opens press "Update" then "Install"

 

[Guest]

NIce try Andy but, it breaks at the same point. Does it help to know its
never done a full scan for me? Tried using MSAS about 6 months ago. Broke at
the same point. Did an uninstall to remove. Found traces left everywhere so
used System restore. waited a couple of update versions

This time installed, failed failed at the same point. Also failed in safe
mode.

 

[Andre Da Costa]

I would uninstall again, delete the programs file folder, restart the system
and reinstall MSAS to a non-default location such as c:\msas and try running
the scan again. If the problem persist, I would recommend doing a full
system scan with the full third party AntiSpyware utilities:
Ad-Aware - http://www.lavasoftusa.com
Spybot - http://www.safer-networking.org/
CWShredder - http://www.intermute.com/products/cwshredder.html
Spy Sweeper - http://www.webroot.com
Ccleaner - http://www.ccleaner.com
--
Andre
Extended64 | http://www.extended64.com
Blog | http://www.extended64.com/blogs/andre
http://spaces.msn.com/members/adacosta
FAQ for MS AntiSpy http://www.geocities.com/marfer_mvp/FAQ_MSantispy.htm

 

[Frederick]

Are you using a large HOST file?

 

[Guest]

There are nearly 73,000 entries in Hosts. More importantly, when I delete all
entries, it works. How would the size of Hosts trouble the scan?

 

[Frederick]

Sorry, I can't help you with that answer, but I'm sure some of the experts
here can. All I know from previous experience/posts that it does not like a
large HOSTS file. The one I currently use is from MVPS and is currently
about 358k. When I combined it with others and it became nearly 1mb I (and
others) encountered the same problem. Regards

 

[Guest]

I use Hostsman to manage my HOSTS. It combines files from hpHosts, MVPS
Hosts, Mike's Hosts and Block Adverts. The latter is the largets at 254kb.

Some time or other, I'll get around to copying only my blocked hosts before
zapping the HOSTS and loading without Block Adverts. That should cut the size
by about 50%
Meanwhile, Hostsman makes it simple to zap the HOSTS file and restore from
backup.