Laptop hangs during security checks

Not sure this is the correct forum for my query, but here goes . . .

We have a desktop and a laptop, not networked. Both run under Win 8, and we use both Google Chrome and IE. For security we use McAfee and Malwarebytes. Desktop runs OK.

For a little while, however, laptop has had hiccups with both McAfee and Malwarebytes. As a good example, yesterday Malwarebytes said it had finished with no probs identified, but the screen froze.

Ran full McAfee scan overnight and it got to 99% checked (280,000 items) without finding or fixing any issues. Then it stopped. Doesn't matter how long I wait. Doughnut is still revolving. On this occasion the file shown as being checked was C\...\mstscax.dll . However the % checked has varied on other runs and the item being checked seems to differ. Can't run task monitor, or clear the screen (unless I do a nasty).

Other apps seem to operate OK and no probs with desktop..

Someone suggested a broken link/s somewhere. Is there an app to find and correct that/those? Or can you guys propose a different diagnosis please? Preferably in words of one syllable, because I'm not at all techie.

Thanks!

Hmm. I'd try reinstalling both products. Have they worked together nicely before, do you have the realtime scanner enabled on them both? Maybe they are deadlocking.

Thanks!

Yes, I've had them both for quite some time and have them both running realtime - as far as I can tell without any issues.

It was due to an irritating rootkit prob many months ago that I installed paid-for malwarebytes and, being somewhat neurotic, I try to run full scans weekly on both apps.

Really not happy about having to force a shutdown to clear the m/c.

It's almost never advisable to run two security software packages at once both in real-time. This often causes issues. Does closing malware bytes in the notification area resolve the issues?

Hi there UKH.

These probs don't crop up when running realtime. They only seem to occur when doing full scan - and inconsistently at that.

You'll be aware that malwarebytes has different aims (and operates differently) from all the bog-standard checkers like McAfee. I installed it initially to get rid of a rootkit that Kaspersky didn't want to know about or address. It's been running perfectly happily with McAfee since.

But I do accept that it's possible that, although I don't run the full scans at the same time, in certain unusual circumstances the pc might get its knickers in a twist . Perhaps my answer is not to be so paranoid, and just rely on to continual scanning in the background.

In reply to a post by spranglebolt:

Really not happy about having to force a shutdown to clear the m/c.

I've had the same thing happen three times in recent months with
Super AntiSpyWare. I've had the programme for some years now.
I use it to clear tracking cookies every week or two, and as an extra full scan check if I feel the need.
It doesn't run in real time.

I had a recent upgrade to the latest version of the programme, so I'm hoping whatever caused it was something in the SAS programme, and has been fixed with the upgrade.

I also have the free version of MWB, but only use it if I think there's a need, but haven't had any problems so far.