Comodo Firewall Locking up my Windows 7 machine(s) (6.3.302093.2976)

Comodo Internet Security - CIS Firewall Help - CIS
#1

(I recently did several searches on this issue and wasn’t able to find a solution to my problem, or an active thread for this issue, so if it is posted else ware I apologize in advance.)

I really like the Comodo firewall (Not the CIS) and I have used it for years along side AVG free, with no other protection suits installed on my PC. Until recently I have not had a single issue.
Recently after a clean format and setup of Windows 7 on my main desktop I attempted to install AVG and Comodo Firewall as I always have in the past. Downloading the latest versions for install.
AVG free Installed fine without issues. Comodo was next and installed fine without issues. Once Comodo had prompted me to reboot my computer thats when the fun began.

Right after reboot the system would load into windows and would lock up almost instantly. The mouse would still move but windows explorer would not respond. Icons on the task bar would be clickable but do nothing, The start menu is just as equally useless at this point. Icons on the desktop (if they load) do nothing as well. Comodo at this time does not appear to load at all in fact nothing seams too. CTRL-ALT-DEL does nothing, selecting shutdown or restart from the start menu does nothing. Control panel doesn’t load. The computer becomes completely unusable.

I understand that Comodo doesn’t usually play nice with other software but I’ve never had any issue with this in the past. The fire wall SHOULD work with another virus scanner installed I think.
ODDLY ENOUGH, When I install AVG free and CIS, everything works fine… Even tho I’m pretty sure CIS shouldn’t be compatible with another virus scanner… This issue seams limited to the Firewall.
I do not use MSE or any other protection software.

I have managed duplicating the exact same results on 5 machines (3 laptops and 2 desktops of varying hardware performance and Windows 7 64bit)
Heres how I did it:

-Installed Windows 7 64bit, Installed AVG then Comodo = Lockup

-Installed Windows 7 64bit, Installed Comodo then AVG = Lockup

-Installed Windows 7 64bit, Installed Windows updates to current, Installed AVG then Comodo = Lockup

-Installed Windows 7 64bit, Installed Windows updates to current, Installed Comodo then AVG = Lockup

-Installed Windows 7 64bit, (with and without updates), Installed AVG by itself = Perfectly fine

-Installed Windows 7 64bit, (with and without updates), Installed Comodo firewall by itself = Perfectly fine

-Installed Windows 7 64bit, (with and without updates), Installed AVG then CIS = Perfectly fine

Everyone has their preferences. I LOVE Comodo Firewall but don’t care much for the CIS. I am a fan of AVG.
I have tried a lot of Free and Paid for protections in the past and this has been the combination that worked best for me. I would like to return to using this combination soon if a FIX can be made available.

I hope this helps, I have an open mind and a spare machine on hand I would be willing to experiment with and try different suggestions and Fixes on to see about getting this working again.

#2

Adding to this, 2 of the tested laptops were Running happily the same configuration of AVG Free 2014 and Comodo 6.x before all this, When they too suffered the exact same lockup symptoms after a Comodo update. So this issue does not seam to be limited to a clean install but updates as well.

#3

Wow! I have exactly the same symptoms.

I have also used AVG antivirus and Comodo firewall for years with no problems. Now I am doing a new build of a desktop PC with Windows 7 Ultimate x64.

I have tried 3 installs of Windows, followed by AVG, followed by Comodo (no other software except the motherboard’s drivers/utilities). When I reboot after Comodo install, the system hangs just like Askye described. I can move the mouse and click icons, but nothing really happens. I can’t even get the task manager to come up.

Thanks to Askye for the experimental analysis. So it is not clear if it is a Comodo or AVG problem. I guess I will just install AVG and use the Windows firewall, until Comodo and AVG support teams figure this out.

Askye, did you put a similar post in an AVG forum, since it is clear who’s side the problem is on?

#4

Can you try adding the installation folders of Comodo Firewall to the exclusions of AVG?

And after could you add the installation folders to the Exclusions of Detect shellcode injections?

Does any or both of the above help or not?

As always make sure there are no leftovers of security programs you had installed in the past. A possible left over can cause all sort of “strange effects”. Please run clean up tools for all security programs you had in the past. A list can be found here at the Eset website: ESET Knowledgebase .

#5

EricJH, I don’t think it is possible to do what you suggested. As soon as Comodo is installed (I installed it after AVG), the computer is locked up and you can not get into AVG to change settings. It might be possible to do it in safe mode, but I’m not sure what AVG allows to be changed in safe mode. But I have moved on without Comodo, for now, and don’t want to do another reinstall of Windows. Someone else will have to try that experiment.

BTW, as I said this was on a fresh install of Windows. There were no leftover security programs on the system.

#6

Your findings would be worth a bug report as it happens on several machines of you. Would you consider submitting a report?

#7

Hi guys,

I have the same problem on the laptop of my parents in law. I have installed AVG Free 2014 and Comodo Firewall on it, and after an update of one of the two (can’t remember which) the system locks.

The only way i can get it to work is open absolutely nothing but right click on the AVG system bar icon and disable it. Only after that i can open an Explorer or whatever. If after a reboot i click on the Start menu or another icon, the system hangs.

I guess it would be easy for Comodo to reproduce this in a Windows env.

Please follow up on this thread when there is a resolution.

#8

I use time machines on my PCs that’s why I always revert to a safe snapshot in such cases.

That’s why I never tried this and I wonder:

is it OK just to reboot into “Safe Mode” and delete CIS or AVG folder from “Program Files” (or maybe from “Program Files (x86)” in 64-bit Windows)?

#9

What do you mean by Comodo - its FW?

You see the same situation gives different results. Maybe you remember some details to figure out what prevents Lockup?