Malwarebytes takes forever to scan

[erdos]

hi,

I've Malwarebytes 3.1 installed on my win7 pc. I've noticed that scan takes forever and more often it stuck in the process. after some search online, I've disabled 'scan archives' and 'scan rootkits' as suggested, but to no vail.

any suggestion?

 

[torchwood]

Is this the old Dell you were talking about in February, if it is then im not surprised its laggy, Ult64 requires at least 3gb ram.

Roy

 

[Layback Bear]

To help us understand, could you complete this tutorial by Brink and fill in your system specs?

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/180324-system-info-see-your-system-specs.html

 

[DavidE]

I've Malwarebytes 3.1 installed on my win7 pc. I've noticed that scan takes forever and more often it stuck in the process.

The current version of MBAM is 2.2.1.1043
http://www.sevenforums.com/system-security/240099-latest-version-malwarebytes.html

 

[Layback Bear]

Possibly this.

https://www.malwarebytes.org/chameleon/

I have Chameleon 3.1.25 on my systems along with Malwarebytes Premium.

 

[DavidE]

Good point Jack !

I think we need a lot more info and answers from erdos to know what all we're dealing with.

 

[MoxieMomma]

Hi:

For the record, Chameleon is a highly specialized tool designed for use only on heavily infected systems when MBAM cannot be installed or run normally. Most of the functionality is already incorporated into MBAM, so there's no real need or suggestion to keep the standalone version on one's system. One only needs to keep the current version of MBAM (correctly noted to be 2.2.1.1043) on one's system, and to run normal threat scans.
Only when MBAM cannot run or scan would Chameleon be needed, and even then, it can be called up from within MBAM.

More information here -- Chameleon Portal
What is Malwarebytes Chameleon and when do I need it?
How do I run Malwarebytes Chameleon when it cannot be opened normally through the START menu?
How do I use Malwarebytes Chameleon to run Malwarebytes Anti-Malware on an infected system?
How should I proceed if Malwarebytes Chameleon's help file will not open due to infection?
How do I use Malwarebytes Chameleon to install Malwarebytes Anti-Malware on an infected system?

Getting back to the OP's original problem, however, when MBAM scans hang, there are a number of possible reasons:

• Corrupt files
• Bad disk
• Software conflict
• Malware
• Insufficient resources
• Others

One suggestion would be to disable archives scanning and (perhaps) to disable rootkit scanning, especially on an older system with old hardware, little RAM.

If that doesn't resolve the issue, the general recommendation would be to start with a chkdsk and then sfc /scannow.
Scanning from Windows Safe Mode is another option, but not the first choice, as MBAM needs to be run from Normal Mode in order to work completely and fully.

So, I would suggest that the OP start by disabling archive (and at least for testing purposes) rootkit scanning and then reattempting a regular MBAM THREAT SCAN.
If that still does not work, I would process with the chkdsk and then system file checker before attempting another MBAM THREAT SCAN.

If that doesn't resolve the issue, we can go from there.


HTH,

MM

 

[mdd1963]

Where is it getting stuck at? Prescan, rootkit check, scan memory, scan startup files, scan registry,scan file system, heuristic?

 

[erdos]

i'm the O.P.

My version of Malwarebye is 2.1.6.1022 premium -not ver 3 as intially stated - and it's installed on win7 (system info attached)

I have 'use advanced heuristic engine' 'scan within archives' and 'scan for rootkits' unchecked, scan process always stuck at 'pre scan operations' stage.

 

[MeOnMine]

How about a re-install over the top or even un-install re-install with re-boot in between.
If you take the second option maybe use Revo.

 

[derekimo]

How about a re-install over the top or even un-install re-install with re-boot in between.
If you take the second option maybe use Revo.

Malwarebytes has it's own remover too,

How do I uninstall Malwarebytes Anti-Malware?

 

[MoxieMomma]

i'm the O.P.

My version of Malwarebye is 2.1.6.1022 premium -not ver 3 as intially stated - and it's installed on win7 (system info attached)

That's a very old version. It was released in April 2015. There have been several program updates since then, with performance, stability and security enhancements.

I have 'use advanced heuristic engine' 'scan within archives' and 'scan for rootkits' unchecked, scan process always stuck at 'pre scan operations' stage.

That could have many causes, including the reasons I listed in my previous reply.
@MeOnMine and @Derekimo's advice to reinstall is not unreasonable.
However, since you have a much older program version, an on-top upgrade would not be "best practices".
And, to add to @Derekimo's advice about uninstalling, the more complete steps for a proper, clean upgrade are here: MBAM Clean Removal Process 2x

• Important: If you have Premium, be sure to have your license info handy before you start -- you will need it to reactivate after reinstall
• Also: If you have Premium, be sure to open the GUI > My Account > click "disable" before you start the removal/reinstall process
• Also, whether you have Free or Premium, please be sure to reboot when prompted by the removal tool - very important! It's a good idea to reboot again after the reinstall.
• NOTE: Running Revo Uninstaller ought NOT to be needed and is not recommended; the mbam-clean removal tool and the process outlined in the tutorial linked above is the recommended way to reinstall.

If the clean upgrade does not resolve the issue, then deeper work will be needed.

Please let us know how it goes.

Thanks,

 

[Layback Bear]

Just my opinion.

Because you have Pavilion H.P. computer and a bios (American Megatreads) I would start by checking and verifying the Windows 7 operating system is properly activated. Information found in picture in post #9.

If Windows 7 is properly activated I would upgrade Malwarebytes to the newest version following MoxieMomma instructions.

 

[erdos]

thanks for all the suggestions, i'm the OP...

my answer and what i've tried:

1 my copy of win7 is properly activated (see screen1).

2 I've upgraded to the latest version as recommended, but malwarebyte still couldn't go beyond 'Pre-scan operations...' stage. (screen 2)

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
Well we can see you're using the free version and you most likely did not deselect the use the trail version on one of the first installs which has tagged you in some way ?

 

[DavidE]

To me it looks like it's stuck in Applying Updates

EDIT:
Try to do an Update from the Dashboard and see if that works.

 

[MoxieMomma]

thanks for all the suggestions, i'm the OP...

my answer and what i've tried:

1 my copy of win7 is properly activated (see screen1).

2 I've upgraded to the latest version as recommended, but malwarebyte still couldn't go beyond 'Pre-scan operations...' stage. (screen 2)

In addition to the advice already offered, your screenshot shows that you are still running an outdated program version (2.2.0.1024), which was released back in October 2015.
The current program version is 2.2.1.1043.
And update failures USUALLY generate some sort of error message, such as "no updates available" or "unable to contact the server" or something along those lines.
MBAM seems to be failing updates during the process that's built-in to the scanner to automatically check for updates before a manual scan. There are many possible reasons for that and we don't yet have enough information to determine which one is responsible.

So, I respectfully suggest once again that you please carefully follow ALL of the steps in this tutorial in order to cleanly update to the current program version: MBAM Clean Removal Process 2x

It's very important to reboot the computer when prompted by the removal tool. It's a good idea to reboot again after reinstalling.
Before you attempt the reinstall, please verify that your system date and time are correct (incorrect system date/time can be a cause of update failures).
Don't try to scan yet....

After you have reinstalled MBAM with the 2.2.1.1043 version, but BEFORE trying to run a scan:
1) First, please open the main dashboard/GUI and post back here with another screenshot of that dashboard, including the program version number ribbon at the top.
2) Then, click on the blue "Update" link in the main dashboard for a manual update check and post back with another screenshot and/or the exact error message you receive.

>>If all that fails, deeper work will be needed.
>>We can further assist you here at this forum, or (preferably) at the Malwarebytes support forum HERE.
>>Either way, we'll need to see some basic system info, in the form of the 3 logs created by the 2 tools presented in this tutorial: Diagnostic Logs

Thanks,
MM

 

[MeOnMine]

Well said MoxieMomma,
One small additive for the OP.
When you install the upgrade of MBam don't forget to un tick the Trial version to get the Free version.
If you can afford it I would advise to pay for the Premium as this will scan in real time.
The Free only works manually.