Anti-virus update can freeze your computer

Anti-virus update can freeze your computer  London: Computers running the 64-bit version of Microsoft's Windows 7 operating system could be rendered unusable if users install the latest anti-virus software update from AVG. The company has now withdrawn the product.

The problem affects the most recent free update for AVG 2011, which was made available to users Dec 1.

AVG has acknowledged that the patch can send some 64-bit Windows 7 machines into a crash cycle, forcing a reboot of the computer from which it never restarts. The anti-virus company has withdrawn the update, reports the Telegraph.

The problem is caused by one particular virus database update, which automatically forces the computer to reboot in order to let the update take affect. Upon restarting, the computer will register an error and will not complete the boot cycle.

The software update is no longer available to users, but AVG has released a guide for those customers who have already installed the update and are experiencing problems.

The step-by-step instructions tell how the update can be disabled, by running an AVG "rescue CD".

AVG apologised to users for the software glitch. The company has also recommended an alternative recovery method for those users who no longer have, or cannot create, a "rescue CD".