Some people have reported scattered issues with freezing during MBAM scans.
http://www.malwarebytes.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=9499

We've been working on this for a while, and have made some changes that we think will help.

Everyone still having these problems, can you please update your database to the most recent version, and try running a Quick Scan. Then please let us know if the issues are resolved! Thanks.

bump

I have done as suggested. Running MBAM 1.36 and it freezes after 10 seconds of a quick scan. I mean the PC freezes not just MBAM, necessitating a reboot.

I have ran a Quickscan with v1.36/DB v2000; no freezes occurred during that scan despite MWB freezes during every previous Quickscan. I am using a Windows XP Pro, SP-2, & NIS 2009; the Quickscan ran in a little more than 14 minutes.

Hello,

I installed Anti-Malware a few hours ago. I have a freezing problem slightly different from those mentioned in the topics. My computer does not become non-responsive; rather, everything (including my mouse pointer) stalls for a few seconds every few seconds while the scan is progressing (happens both in quick and full scans). I have version 1.36. Also, when I try to update, it crashes. I tried turning off other security software running on my computer (Nod32, ZoneAlarm and Spybot), but I am still getting crashes and freezes. What should I do?

Thanks in advance.

Some minor delays in opening the application and starting the scan but experienced a crash earlier today (reported in a separate thread here)

I'm happy to report that the scan now finishes without problems on my PC without having to disable Norton AntiVirus 2009. Thanks!

ran quick scan today finished without freezing or disabling norton.

Hi I just downloaded and installed malwarebytes on my Win Xp computer. When I was installing the last step said it would update then start malwarebytes well I clicked next and waited and nothing happened. So I double clicked on the Malware bytes Icon waited still nothing tried uninstalling redownloading and installing again a couple times and the same thing.

How is this related to the freezing issues? Please start a new thread.

You're probably infected. Please follow the directions below.

Hello and Welcome to Malwarebytes.org

If you're having Malware related issues with your computer that you're unable to resolve.

1. Please read and follow the instructions provided here: I'm infected - What do I do now?
2. If needed please post your logs in a NEW topic here: Malware Removal - HijackThis Logs
3. When posting logs please do not use any Quote, Code, or other tags. Please copy/paste directly into your post and do not attach files unless requested.

• Please do not post any logs in the General forum. We do not work on any logs posted in the General forum.
• Please do not install any software or use any removal/scanning tool except for those you're requested to run by the Helper that will assist you.
• Using these other tools often makes the cleanup task more difficult and time consuming.
• If you have already submitted for assistance at one of the other support sites on the Internet then you should not post a new log here, you should stay working with the Helper from that site until the issue is resolved.
• Do not assume you're clean because you don't see something in the logs. Please wait until the person assisting you provides feedback.
• There are often many others that require asistance as well, so please be patient. If no one has responded within 48 hours then please go ahead and post a request for review

• NOTE: If for some reason you're unable to run some or any of the tools in the first link, then skip that step and move on to the next one. If you can't even run HijackThis, then just proceed and post a NEW topic as shown in the second link describing your issues and someone will assist you as soon as they can.

I have problems with Malwarebytes v1.36 freezing while scanning. There is no specific place it freezes.
I just had to use Combofix to remove some malware that Malwarebytes and Spybot wouldn't remove. In the process I discovered that the Restore Console had been removed previously and I couldn't use System Restore. Once the malware was removed and System Restore was able to create restore points is when Malwarebytes started to Freeze.
There is some interaction with Windows XP System Restore and Malwarebytes v1.36 that causes it to freeze. If System Restore is turned off Malwarebytes will run and complete about 1 Minute and 30 Seconds. With System Restore turned on and a few restore points created Malwarebytes takes about 3 Minutes 30 Seconds and then locks up.
I haven't been able to run Malwarebytes to completion with System Restore turned on.

Hi Terry,

The same would apply to you as well. If you need further assistance with Malware removal then please open a new post as requested in my post above and as soon as someone is available they will assist you. There is no known generic issue with MBAM and any of the built-in Windows applets so this is something specific to your system and / or what Malware has already done to the system.

I no longer have any malware on my system as far as I know. I just wanted to inform you that since my system has regained the ability to do a system restore, Malwarebytes no longer completes a scan. As stated before if System Restore is turned off Malwarebytes will complete scanning.

I had to remove malware from my computer today using Combo Fix, Malwarebytes wouldn't remove it, is something like .TDSS.

After Malware was removed Malwarebytes finally complets scans without freezing.

Hiya, first time poster My MWBAM crashes whilst reading java files, and thus it cannot complete the scan, quick scan works fine as it does not scan those folders, but I'd prefer to know all of my folders are safe and not just the system ones So I thought I'd add that in so if you find it does die at java files you can try to correct it

And just as we told Terry. You really need to have someone with experience review logs and verify that nothing is still on the computer that may be hiding from most tools.


Scan and post logs - read note at bottom in green
If you're having Malware related issues with your computer that you're unable to resolve.

1. Please read and follow the instructions provided here: I'm infected - What do I do now?
2. If needed please post your logs in a NEW topic here: Malware Removal - HijackThis Logs
3. When posting logs please do not use any Quote, Code, or other tags. Please copy/paste directly into your post and do not attach files unless requested.

• Please do not post any logs in the General forum. We do not work on any logs posted in the General forum.
• Please do not install any software or use any removal/scanning tool except for those you're requested to run by the Helper that will assist you.
• Using these other tools often makes the cleanup task more difficult and time consuming.
• If you have already submitted for assistance at one of the other support sites on the Internet then you should not post a new log here, you should stay working with the Helper from that site until the issue is resolved.
• Do not assume you're clean because you don't see something in the logs. Please wait until the person assisting you provides feedback.
• There are often many others that require asistance as well, so please be patient. If no one has responded within 48 hours then please go ahead and post a request for review

• NOTE: If for some reason you're unable to run some or any of the tools in the first link, then skip that step and move on to the next one. If you can't even run HijackThis, then just proceed and post a NEW topic as shown in the second link describing your issues and someone will assist you as soon as they can.

My MBAM (free version) freezes alot, or rather it "hangs" while scanning, both on quick and full scans.
sometimes its for a few seconds and other times for 10-15 seconds then jumps 100s of items, also once it gets going about half way through when you click on it to have a look at the progress it sticks and take 5+ seconds to open up.
This has been happening for a few weeks now plus it takes double the time to scan, roughly 1 hours 40 mins for a full scan and 40 mins for a quick scan.

I updated and and just completed a full scan and this...

Scan type: Full Scan (C:\|D:\|E:\|F:\|G:\|H:\|I:\|J:\|)
Objects scanned: 215360
Time elapsed: 2 hour(s), 56 minute(s), 22 second(s)

thats the longest yet

Computer and browser slowness are not always malware related

Poor performance and other problems can be the result of disk fragmentation, disk errors, corrupt system files, too many startup programs, unnecessary services running, not enough RAM, dirty hardware, etc. As your system gets older it becomes filled with more files/programs and has a natural tendency to slow down so cleaning and regular maintenance is essential.

Listed below are a few things you can do to improve speed and system performance. Many of the these suggestions will apply if you're using Windows Vista but may be done a bit differently. Near the bottom of this thread there is a section specifically devoted to Vista Users.

For browser problems, see:

• Its not always malware: How to fix the top 10 Internet Explorer issues
• How and Why to Clear Your Cache

If your having connectivity issues or errors such as Page cannot be displayed see

• Repair/Reset Winsock settings
• Troubleshooting Internet Connection Problems

If you're using Vista or Internet Explorer 7, see

• Why is my Internet connection so slow?
• Windows Vista - My Internet connection is slow
• The Phishing Filter may slow down the PC
• Tuning IE7 for Better Performance
• How to optimize or reset Internet Explorer 7

If you have a lot of toolbars and add-ons attached to Internet Explorer, you could try improving performance by disabling those which are unecessary. See:

• Control Internet Explorer Add-ons with Add-on Manager
• Troubleshooting and Internet Explorer’s (No Add-ons) Mode

Vista users see:

• Internet Explorer Add-ons FAQs

Clean up your hard drive by removing unused programs and transferring old data, pictures, music files to a CD or an external hard drive.

When you have moved/saved the files you want to keep, run Disk Cleanup and let it scan your system for files to remove. Don’t clean out the Prefetch folder - This is a common myth that will not improve performance.

You may be instructed to remove prefetch files if you had experienced some virus/malware issues otherwise removing prefetch files is not really necessary. Although the prefetch folder can become quite bloated in time, removing old prefetch data as a matter of routine is not recommended. Your boot time immediately after clearing the prefetch folder is much slower...but it will speed up after the first reboot when windows begins to put back some of the files that you removed.

As an alternative to Disk Cleanup you can download and scan with CCleaner.
(Scroll to the last one and click the "CCleaner Slim"...it has no toolbar that comes packaged with it)

• After installation, see see the CCleaner Tour: Using and Understanding CCleaner
• Make sure you go to Options-->Advanced and uncheck the box to Only delete files in Windows Temp folders older than 48 hours before running a scan
• An added benefit of using CCleaner is the Issues scan which allows you to clean the registry
• Always back up your registry before making any changes

Check for any unnecessary running services

If you have a typical installation, many services are configured as "automatic"; that is, they start automatically when the system starts or when the service is called for the first time. Use Black Viper's "Services Configuration" to help fine tune this area.

Check for disk errors by running CHKDSK in "SAFE MODE" or from the Recovery Console

In the Check Disk dialog box, select the "Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors" check box, click "Start" and have it repair anything it finds. As you use your hard drive, it can develop bad sectors which slow down hard disk performance and make data writing difficult. Check Disk scans the hard drive and verifies the logical integrity of a file system by checking for system errors, lost clusters, lost chains, and bad sectors. When encountering logical inconsistencies in file system data, it will perform the necessary actions to repair the file system data.

Check for damaged, altered or missing critical system files by running the System File Checker

If SFC discovers that a protected file has been damaged, altered or missing, it restores the correct version of the file from the cache folder.
You must be logged on as an administrator or as a member of the Administrators group to run sfc and it may ask you to insert your XP Installation CD so have it available.

Defrag your system

Disk fragmentation slows the overall performance of your system. When files are fragmented, the computer must search the hard disk when a file is opened. Disk Defragmenter consolidates fragmented files and folders on the hard disk so that each occupies a single space on the disk. This speeds up reading and writing to the disk. Read "The Importance of Disk Defragmentation" for instructions.

Note: It is recommended to shut down all applications (including your Anti-virus) before running Defrag to ensure that no programs attempt to write to the drive while it is being defragmented. Not doing so may cause you to have to restart the entire process. If you have disabled all running programs and still find that the defrag routine is constantly interrupted, you can defrag from "SAFE MODE".

Check for any unnecessary applications loading at startup when Windows boots by using MSConfig

Some startup programs are necessary so be careful what you disable. If you are unsure what any of the startup entries are or if they are safe to disable, then search one of the following Startup Databases:

• StartupList Index
• Startup Programs Database

Note: MSConfig.exe is a troubleshooting utility used to diagnose system configuration issues. Although it works as a basic startup manager, msconfig should not be used routinely to disable auto-start programs. It is a temporary solution and not a good practice for several reasons. When uninstalling programs while disabled with msconfig, they may not be uninstalled properly and orphaned entries often will be left behind. When used to switch back to normal startup mode, these orphan entries can result in boot up errors. Further, msconfig does not list all applications loaded in all possible startup locations (some entry points are hidden and unknown to the user) and does not allow the complete removal of disabled entries from its list.

You should not use msconfig to disable startup applications related to a running service. Doing so alters the registry and there are services that are essential for hardware and booting. When you uncheck a service in msconfig, you completely disable it. If you uncheck the wrong one, you may not be able to restart your computer. You should only disable services using Control Panel-->Administrative Tools-->Services.

A better alternative is to use a startup manager. If you have Spybot S&D installed, launch it, go to Mode and select Advanced. Then go to Tools, select System Startups. You will be provided with a list of programs that load when Windows starts. If you untick an entry it will no longer run at startup. This will allow you to experiment and see how your system performs with any of them disabled. Other startup managers you can download and use for free are:

• Startup Control Panel,
• Autoruns,
• Starter by CodeStuff, and
• StartUpLite by RubberDucky.

Remove any third party "Memory Manager" or "Optimizer"

Windows XP memory management was designed to make the best use of Ram and these memory management utilities defeat that purpose. They push applications out of RAM into the pagefile, creating holes in the RAM and slowing down your computer's performance by doing so.

Disable some visual effects

While visual embellishments may be attractive, they don’t do anything else for you. Disabling some of them frees up system resources and makes the operating system perform better.

• Right click My Computer, choose Properties-->Advanced then click on Settings
• In the Visual Effects tab, select Adjust for best performance or uncheck all the visual effects, except for the last three
• Click "Apply", then "Ok", then "Ok" again
• Then right click your Desktop and choose Propertie-->Appearance-->Effects
• Uncheck the first two boxes and hit "OK"

Add more RAM

This is a quick solution that can have a dramatic affect on your system's speed and responsiveness. You can check how much RAM you have by going to Start-->Program Files-->Accessories-->System Tools-->System Information and look at your System Summary. For more info see "Understanding, Identifying and Upgrading the RAM in your PC".

For more suggestions and performance tips read:

"Restore Your Computer's Performance with Windows XP"
"XP Performance Tweaks"
"Performance Boost for XP"

For Vista Users:

Vista Features Explained: Performance
Vista Features Explained: SuperFetch
SuperFetch & ReadyBoost
Tips to boost Vista performance
Windows Vista Performance Tuning
Top 12 Tweaks To Improve Vista Looks and Performance

When you are all done be sure to Create a new Restore Point to enable your computer to "roll-back" to a clean working state keeping all the changes you just made. Then use Disk Cleanup to "remove all but the latest Restore Point".

Vista Users can refer to these links:

• Create a New Restore Point
• Disk Cleanup

Thanks for all the suggestions but I am sure my computer is more than fine, Its set to de frag every month and I use very little memory and cleaned out the "run on start up" too, I updated to IE8 and AVG 8.5 within the past month and thats really all... (AVG now takes a few more mins to scan too.. about 10-15) MBAM seems to take more time each time it is run and now freezes for minutes at a time, I think its the freezing that adds on all the extra time.

Since I installed the latest version of MBAM, I've had an issue with freezing on my WinXP SP3 computer. This happened with an earlier version, and then the next version cleared it up. The newest one started it again. Even doing a quick scan can take hours--if it finishes at all. If, however, I scan in Safe Mode, there's no problem. I haven't done anything new to my computer, and the freezes started with the first scan I did after installing the new version.

Here's hoping the next version will bring things back to normal.

Thank you!

What version of Anti-Virus are you running Jo-Anne ?

1.36. Sorry I forgot to include that, Ron!

Hi Jo-Anne,

The 1.36 is our program which is an Anti-Malware program. I mean what is your Anti-VIRUS program, like McAfee, Symantec, Avira, NOD32, Kaspersky, Trend Micro, etc... and the version level.

Thanks.

My antivirus program is the free Avira AntiVir, version 9.0.0.394, dated 4/17/09. I was using Norton Internet Security 2008 until about a week or two ago, when I uninstalled it and installed Avira AntiVir.

Jo-Anne

Thanks, We've always gotten along well with Avira in the past but I know they recently updated to version 9 a few weeks ago.

I'll have to install that version and see what's going on and get back to you.

Thank you, Ron!

Jo-Anne

My friend has a problem with MalwareBytes' Anti-Malware. MalwareBytes' Anti-Malware freezes when it starts scanning: c:\windows\installer\$patchcache$\managed\......letters.......\......dll

Here's log from MBAM:

Basic procedures to correct freezing issues often due to other Security Software
If these procedures do not correct the problem please create a new post seeking further assistance

1. Uninstall Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware using Add/Remove programs in the control panel.
2. Restart your computer (very important).
3. Download and run this utility.
4. It will ask to restart your computer (please allow it to).
5. After the computer restarts, install the latest version from here
   Note: If you're using a PAID version of Malwareybtes, you will need to reactivate the program using the license you were sent via e-mail.

BEFORE registering and starting the Protection Module, locate the Exclusion List for your Anti-Virus. Probably under an advanced menu in the program.
Add the following folders, sub-folders if you can, at a minimum add the files to the exclusion to be safe.

• C:\Program Files\Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
• C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Malwarebytes\Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
• C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Malwarebytes\Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware\rules.ref
• C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\mbam.sys
• C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\mbamswissarmy.sys
• C:\Program Files\Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware\mbam.exe
• C:\Program Files\Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware\mbamgui.exe
• C:\Program Files\Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware\mbamservice.exe

I had a bit of a problem last night, right after an update, I ran a quick search and it froze up. I closed it and then re opened MBAM and it worked that time. Not sure what happened.

Thank you, AdvancedSetup! With the help of your instructions, my friend decided his problem.

I'm pleased to report that avast! anti virus works well with the latest MBAM update.

I have not been able to run MBAM without freezing only a few seconds into the scan. The only was I can seem to run it is in safe mode. Once it freezes I have to reboot - the entire PC freezes. I have been attempting to resolve this for quite some time and have had no success. Am using MBAM 1.37, SpyBot, NAV 2009, Windows XP SP2.

My program worked perfect until the recent updates to the software. I finally had to just remove the program all together. Very disappointing to have wasted my money.

I hope a fix will be released soon because up until now, I have recommended Malwarebytes to many people.

If you are a customer and experiencing issues you may contact support [at] malwarebytes [dot] org for a speedy reply and assistance!

We are having computer freeze problem with Trend Micro Internet Security 2009 (program version 16.10.2012) and MalwareBytes 1.37 database 2182. If the computers are connected to the internet it will free up within one minute as Trend starts up. Without an internet connection, the computer will start up fine and continue to run. Trend sometimes comes up and says it is blocking MalwareBytes. It seems as if they both are blocking some part of each other. With MalwareBytes uninstalled the PCs work just fine.

Hello WSLH-DPHIS!

Please, read this topic:
http://www.malwarebytes.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=10138

There is some problems with Trend Micro and MalwareBytes' Anti-Malware.

There is an updated article for Trend Anti-Virus if needed. http://www.malwarebytes.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=17605

I followed these directions to the letter and I am still freezing 11 seconds into the scan. It is a total system lockup which requires a hard re-boot. I had a malware infection several months ago and the folks at Bleeping Computer helped me to get rid of it. At that time, MB was installed and worked well. However, MB later starting freezing every time a scan was run for some unkown reason.

Any suggestions?

I have no suggestions as I have been experiencing this same problem for many versions of MBAM. It always freezes several seconds into the scan. Other than the very first time I ran the program, many many months ago, I have never been able to get past a few seconds successfully without a system freeze and the necessary complete system reboot. Like you, I would really like to solve this!

Hello...

I froze on a FULL scan on this file:

C:\Windows\ServicePackFiles\i386\mouse_c.htm

I *believe* it happened on two different computers.

After reading some posts here, it appears that I am perhaps overladen with anti-spyware...

*Symantec Client Security AntiVirus (provided by my employer; I can't remove it)
*PCTOOLS Spyware Doctor (with all the "Intelliguards" active but NOT the Anti-Virus)
*SPYBOT S&D (with the resident active, as well as the thing that asks me about writing to the registry and the part that "immunizes")
*MBAM free version.

Am I causing myself unnecessary grief here?

Thanks...
Jim W.

@ snorlax From the info I can find you should move/copy this post to a New Topic in the HiJackLog Forum. I'll print out the instructions below: Please follow them to get fixed up!

follow these instructions & post it in the HiJackLog Forum please

Scan and post logs - read note at bottom in green
If you're having Malware related issues with your computer that you're unable to resolve.

1. Please read and follow the instructions provided here: I'm infected - What do I do now?
2. If needed please post your logs in a NEW topic here: Malware Removal - HijackThis Logs
3. When posting logs please do not use any Quote, Code, or other tags. Please copy/paste directly into your post and do not attach files unless requested.

• Please do not post any logs in the General forum. We do not work on any logs posted in the General forum.
• Please do not install any software or use any removal/scanning tool except for those you're requested to run by the Helper that will assist you.
• Using these other tools often makes the cleanup task more difficult and time consuming.
• If you have already submitted for assistance at one of the other support sites on the Internet then you should not post a new log here, you should stay working with the Helper from that site until the issue is resolved.
• Do not assume you're clean because you don't see something in the logs. Please wait until the person assisting you provides feedback.
• There are often many others that require asistance as well, so please be patient. If no one has responded within 48 hours then please go ahead and post a request for review

NOTE: If for some reason you're unable to run some or any of the tools in the first link, then skip that step and move on to the next one. If you can't even run HijackThis, then just proceed and post a NEW topic as shown in the second link describing your issues and someone will assist you as soon as they can.

Bird...

I followed your advice & posted in the other part...hoping for a response...the post has aged off the first page already.

PS--are you the REAL yardbird...Charlie Parker?!?

@ snorlax The HJK Forum will get you fixed up, Please note: there busy in there and it might be 1-2 days before they get to your issue. They will need you to download tools and work with them. So keep an eye (bookmark your post there)


Bird-I still play that horn on 52nd street

Thank you for your patience, Bird...I'm just apprehensive (paranoid) that they are going to find something really bad, even though every scan I do with Spybot, PCTOOLS, or MBAM turns up clean.

Lots of my charts, transcriptions, performances, etc. on these computers.

Sincerely,
J.B. Gillespie

Your Welcome! But reading Logs is not my dept. Should you pc infected, post in the General Forum. Or else a few people didn't see this post. The tools they have in the HiJack Forum -- Spybot, PCTOOLS, ect. are nothing as to what they can do in that forum! Its like putting your pc under a microscope. They will tell you what to download & where it is, but you have to post the logs, so they can look them over! It takes years of training! just follow there instructions.... good luck, don't worry..regards..

You should ALWAYS make sure you have external backups of ANY data that you deem important. Hardware failure or Virus/Malware can happen at any time out of the blue.

Please backup your data if you can while you're waiting.

Thank you.

@snorlax / Jim
Antivirus, yes, you must have one.

I highly suggest you disable Spybot's Tea Timer whilst your case is being worked in Malware removal. Tea Timer can cause un-intended conflicts when fixes are being applied to the registry. It is best not to even use it if you are not fully familiar with it.
I would also suggest you turn off amy active monitor of Spyware Doctor.

Yardbird & Ron gave you good advice, needless to say.
Good luck, and have patience.

Nice thread hijack here. Still no help for me.