I have been using AE since it came out. A week ago as I began a Smart Scan, it "hung up" on a file it was scanning. The timer continued to run, but AE never moved off the file it was supposedly scanning. After over an hour (the Smart Scan usually takes 4 to 7 minutes to complete), I shut the program down.

I tried the scan again with the same results except it was a different file that it "hung up" on.

I uninstalled AE and re-installed AE. I still have the same problem.

Has anyone else had this problem? How can I get it to scan properly?

Most likely a conflict with other security programs - a problem with Norton started a few weeks ago. What else do you have installed?

Only Norton 2009; but it was working with Norton 2009 previously.

As I said, the problem surfaced a few weeks ago with a Norton update. Try turning off Norton's tamper protection - that's what shuts down Ad-aware when it tries to scan Norton files. Post back here with your results.

I have same problem. I temporarily turned off the tamper protection on Norton & Ad-Aware scans fine. Just click settings at the top of the Norton window.

Yes. I was having exactly the same issue since 10th Sep and trying to work out what update caused it. I run Vista and Norton 360 and was getting random hanging on different files with timer moving. Thanks heaps and the stated fix to turn off Norton Tamper Protection worked for me too.

Cheers

Thank you. Turning off Norton's Tamper Protection did the trick. AE now scans as it was meant to (and used to).

I did have a bit of trouble finding the "Tamper Protection" link. It is under "Miscellaneous Settings" then under "Product Security".

Thank you for the tip; I fumbled around inside my Norton 2009 menus, turned off Tamper temporarily, and managed to complete my first Smart Scan in over
a few weeks. Previous to this glitch, AE was running like a champ; post Norton blocking glitch, I would run scans for hours and AE would never get past about 3000.
Glad to know the get around. Very informative Board and very good product, even for a low tech ol'geezer.
Best Regards,
motordavid

I am having the same issue, but I do not have Norton. I have Avast and have never had an issue before today???

Was this with Avast active? If so, try unloading it first.

As a follow up to my own post, on the AE hang problem, it only occurs on my newer laptop, which has Vista Home Premo...my old
desktop PC, which has Windows XP, but the same Norton 2009, has never exhibited the recent hang problem...just fwiw.
BR,mD

http://lavasoft.com/mylavasoft/support/blo...are-scan-freeze

Ad-Aware Scan Freeze
by John on September 17th, 2009.

The scan freeze issue you are experiencing could be caused by a recent update to Norton, we are currently working with Norton to resolve this issue.
Until this is resolved, please try the following before scanning with Ad-Aware:

Go into Settings in Norton and turn off the Norton Product Tamper Protection.

Ad-Aware should now be able to complete the scan.