Compatibility Avast under KernelEx + Windows 98 SE

[QuantumGravity]

Hello,

On an older system running Windows 98 SE, I use Avast antivirus 4.8.1368 with satisfaction.

(Previously, I used the antivirus NOD32 2.70.39 from ESET but the support of this software ended in January 2012 and the later versions are not compatible with W98 SE)

I want to know if later versions of Avast (5.x, 6.x, 7.x), compatible with OS from W2K, can run also on Windows 98 using KernelEx because it could be that the support of Avast 4.8 stops at the end of 2012 according with some informations (to be confirmed)

Same question for later versions of NOD32 (3.x, 4.x, 5.x)

I consulted all the topics spent KernelEx on the MSFN forums but I have not found the desired answers (Avast not cited in the list of compatible applications with KernelEx)

Thank you in advance to experts in KernelEx holding information about this or who have experience with Avast with KernelEx and Windows 98, let me share their knowledge.

Cordially

QuantumGravity

[submix8c]

Avast -

frogman, on 06 July 2010 - 08:43 AM, said:

Would installing KernelEx Beta 2 allow users of Windows 98 S.E to install Avast 5? and would Avast 5 function?

loblo, on 06 July 2010 - 09:42 AM, said:

Very unlikely as the real time AV scanning engines run at low level in ring0 if I am not mistaken and KernelEX has nothing to do with ring0.

Nod32 - don't know...

Without KeX - this may help...

[QuantumGravity]

Hello submix8c,

Thanks for your response.

The significance of the post of loblo of the 06/07/10 which you have quoted is not very clear.

It does not include whether or not version 5 of Avast works with KernelEx (it was already the question of frogman)

If other experts have the answer, I am interested.

Thanks for the link which refers to the list of softwares that are supported by Windows 98 SE. I already knew this list.

Avast 4.8 is the latest antivirus with resident protection which is still compatible with W98 SE. I had the round of the question. There is no other.

Kind regards

QuantumGravity

[Prozactive]

It is extremely unlikely that newer versions of Avast! will work with Win9x/ME and KernelEx. I believe that even Win2000 isn't supported anymore. Of course, as a definitive test, you could always try it and see. Let us know your results. And yes, support for Win9x/ME has actually been extended considerably from the original deadline for Avast! 4.8, for which I am grateful.

Edited May 16, 2012 by Prozactive

[loblo]

The significance of the post of loblo of the 06/07/10 which you have quoted is not very clear.

It does not include whether or not version 5 of Avast works with KernelEx (it was already the question of frogman)

Real time scanning engine work at virtual device driver level (ring0) and there is no compatibility between 9x and NT families of OSes for those drivers. For 9x systems those scanners will be .vxd files. If there there are no .vxd files in Avast 5, it won't work under a 9x system and KernelEx doesn't make any NT ring0 component compatible with 9x so cannot help with that at all. Hopefully this is a bit clearer.

[QuantumGravity]

It is extremely unlikely that newer versions of Avast! will work with Win9x/ME and KernelEx. I believe that even Win2000 isn't supported anymore. Of course, as a definitive test, you could always try it and see. Let us know your results. And yes, support for Win9x/ME has actually been extended considerably from the original deadline for Avast! 4.8, for which I am grateful.

Hello Prozactive,

Thanks for your response.

1 - Compatibility avast 5.x, 6.x, 7.x with W2K: it exists for Windows 2000 with SP4. Source: official site of avast.

Example for version 7.x:

"System Requirements:

Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional Service Pack 4

Please note that avast! "Free Antivirus runs only on PCs with Windows 2000 Professional Service Pack 4 and newer"

(but does not install on version W2K Server; source: user manual)

2 - Test with KernelEx

Of course, to determine if the versions of avast 4.8 above may work with the combination of Windows 98 SE + KernelEx, it is always possible to test by installing KernelEx, by uninstalling version 4.8 of avast and by installing for example a version 6.x or 7.x.

Except that the installation of KernelEx is not a trivial operation since it goes to the Windows kernel and can damage the system if this goes wrong (it is already like…)

Hence the interest to know before this operation if there is a reasonable prospect of success.

Kind regards

QuantumGravity

[QuantumGravity]

The significance of the post of loblo of the 06/07/10 which you have quoted is not very clear.

It does not include whether or not version 5 of Avast works with KernelEx (it was already the question of frogman)

Real time scanning engine work at virtual device driver level (ring0) and there is no compatibility between 9x and NT families of OSes for those drivers. For 9x systems those scanners will be .vxd files. If there there are no .vxd files in Avast 5, it won't work under a 9x system and KernelEx doesn't make any NT ring0 component compatible with 9x so cannot help with that at all. Hopefully this is a bit clearer.

Hello loblo,

Thanks for your response.

With your explanations, it is more clear.

In avast 4.8, the virtual pilot of the resident scanner is called aswMon.vxd.

I watched in a machine under WXP SP3 with avast 6.x. I have not found driver vxd but an aswMonsDS.sys file. I do not know if this sys file plays the same role as a vxd file.

For avast 5.x and 7.x, I could not make verification fault of machines equipped with these versions.

Kind regards

QuantumGravity