I have been running Spybot in its guises for years now. Since 2008 I have used Avast Home 4.8 free, and a couple days ago upgraded to Avast 5 free.

When the computer starts, I type the password for my account to continue and it hangs for maybe 30 seconds then continues but to a desktop only with no icons or taskbar. It hangs again, disc working away (so maybe not hanging - dwelling) for a similar time again before the taskbar and destop icons appear and start completes.

This 'hanging' I describe has only been since Avast 5 was installed. Now I'm very happy with the new Avast, but when I mentioned this on Avast forum two people blame Spybot without giving reasons and another reports the same symptoms as me.

So I thought a cross-check was in order here before consigning Spybot.

I should add the Spybot tends to find tracking cookies only whilst SuperAntiSpyware finds more things, but I had to stop using it as it nearly always freezes Windows. Also, before ungrading to Avast 5, Spybot froze Windows for the first time ever.

I'd appreciate any comments please.

Thanks