Avast WEBforum
Consumer Products => Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security (legacy Pro Antivirus, Internet Security, Premier) => Topic started by: Kesetyan on January 24, 2014, 11:04:16 AM
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My system is Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 and I am running Avast 2014.9.0.2013
Recently I have noticed that, although the streamed files update regularly, the other virus definitions folder has required manual updating. To get these updates, I have to visit the Avast virus definitions website as trying to update from the program does nothing.
I run the same version of Avast on an older XP Pro SP3 desktop where the automatic updating appears to be behaving normally.
In moving from version 2014.9.0.2011 to 2014.9.0.2013, on my XP system I first received a notification about the new version and proceeded using the prompts provided. This did not happen with my Windows 7 system however so I did a completely new installation by running AvastClear first and then installing 2014.9.0.2013. The reported automatic updating of virus definitions problem on the Windows 7 system occurred with both the 2014.9.0.2011 and 2014.9.0.2013 versions.
Is the behaviour I am experiencing normal or is there a more serious issue that needs addressing?
Thank you.
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There was a period where VPS updates didn't happen over 1 day, I don't know if your problem occurred or was worsened by that issue.
Whilst avast 9 with the enhanced streaming updates isn't so reliant on the regular VPS updates they should still happen and are happening on both of my systems (XP Pro and win7).
You also appear to be talking about the program updates also and that is completely different from the VPS updates. Program updates are set to Notify/Ask when an update is available, but Program updates are on an update cycle over a few weeks to spread the load on the update servers. So it is entirely possible to get notification on one system but not the other.
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Hi David,
Thank you for your reply. I guess I was a bit impatient regarding the program update. Your explanation suggests I would have likely been notified eventually.
Regarding the VPS updates: the problem I have reported did start some days ago but I have since undertaken a complete fresh installation of Avast and the issue persists. However, if the streamed updates provide the necessary protection, I am not too worried by the need to manually update virus definitions from the Avast website from time to time. Naturally though, I am a little disconcerted that some aspects of the program appear not to be working correctly even if there is a get around.
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What are your Update settings, avastUI > Settings > Update - scroll down to Details and Proxy Settings (see image, click to expand).
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Hi David,
Thanks for your continued interest.
My virus definitions are set to update automatically;
Streaming updates is enabled.
My program updates are set to ask when an update is available;
in Details, 'My Computer is permanently connected to the interne't is checked (although I do power down when I stop using it);
Auto update is set to 240 minutes (I see yours is set to 120 minutes so I might reduce mine too);
all three update options are ticked.
The Proxy setting has 'Direct Connection (no proxy)' checked;
type HTTP;
Address is blank;
Port is 8080;
No authentication.
I hope this information may provide you with clues, regards, kes.
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Do you actually use a proxy to connect to the internet, some ISP and or applications may use them ?
If you don't know if you do use one the likelihood is that you don't.
The type HTTP; Address; Port; and Type - No authentication fields should all be greyed out unless you A) use a proxy and B) have checked the Specify proxy server option.
Are you getting any errors displayed by avast relating to updates on the effected system ?
Failed auto updates should generally result in a toaster style error popup.
If no errors - You could try a repair of avast:
XP - Add Remove programs, select 'avast! Anti-Virus,' click the Change/Remove button and select Repair, click next and follow.
Vista, win7 - Control Panel, Programs & Features, uninstall a program, select 'avast! Anti-Virus,' click the Uninstall/Change and select Repair, click next and follow.
You may need to reboot after the repair.
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Hi David,
No, I do not use a proxy to connect to the internet and the items you mention are greyed out.
In version 2014.9.0.2011 I did get occasional notifications, immediately after start-up of the system, that the last update had failed to complete but, since the clean installation of version 2014.9.0.2013, I have not had these errors reported.
I will try the repair of Avast as you suggested.
Thanks again for your continued interest and the time you have given me. Regards, Kes.
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Auto update is set to 240 minutes (I see yours is set to 120 minutes so I might reduce mine too);
After avast started with stream updates i dont see any need for doing that.....stream updates comes in evry 5min
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<snip>
In version 2014.9.0.2011 I did get occasional notifications, immediately after start-up of the system, that the last update had failed to complete but, since the clean installation of version 2014.9.0.2013, I have not had these errors reported.
I will try the repair of Avast as you suggested.
Thanks again for your continued interest and the time you have given me. Regards, Kes.
You're welcome.
For the most part the first indication of an auto update would be right after boot (fairly close) as the auto update check duration would have been exceeded. Depending on what you have running on boot when the auto update check happens, resources could be short or something that avast requires isn't yet running.
If the repair doesn't resolve it, you can try this - 'Load avast! services only after loading other system services' - This is in the avastUI > Settings > Troubleshooting, see image.
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Thanks again David,
After the repair there was considerable activity but this was the streamed updates. As yet I have noticed no other change. I have deliberately avoided another manual update direct from the Avast website in order to see if allowing more time will allow the automatic installation of the latest definitions update. I will leave things for the time being and check again tomorrow so may well be reporting back with some news.
As regards your system resources suggestion, I will not try that just yet because of the slightly increased risks involved but will see what happens tomorrow first.
regards, Kes.
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Hi,
The issue remains but I am not sure about trying 'loading Avast! services only after loading other system resources' to see if that helps. Avast generates a warning when that option is set. I have contacted Avast Support and have a ticket but , help through this means in the past has been very slow and spasmodic so I am not confident about any solution from them. So far they have not provided any solution to an ongoing problem regarding creating an iso file for a rescue cd - they appear as baffled as I am. As that is not a critical problem, I am not too worried but with the other issues too, one wonders if there are any crucial parts of the software that are not working but their non-functioning has not been apparent.
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Generally it would through up a warning as this isn't something that you should do of your own back, really only when advised after trying other options to try and resolve the problem. The 'Load avast! services only after loading other system services' isn't waiting on absolutely everything only the Operating system services.
You could also delay the auto-update check taking it further away from boot and higher resource use.
- You need to edit (using notepad) avast5.ini the [InetWD] section of the C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Avast Software\Avast\avast5.ini (XP file location).
- Broadband connections, add this line:
AlwaysConnectedWaitSeconds=180 and
AssumeAlwaysConnected=1 if not present (or edit AssumeAlwaysConnected=0 to AssumeAlwaysConnected=1)
[InetWD]
AssumeAlwaysConnected=1
AlwaysConnectedWaitSeconds=180
The figure is seconds and the above equates to three minutes, you could try that and adjust upwards if required, 240, 300, etc.
When complete save the changes, avast's self-defence module will ask for confirmation, etc. answer Yes.
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Hi David,
My problem system is not my XP desktop, that is fine. It is the Windows 7 desktop where Avast is misbehaving.
I've done a search for the files you mention with a view to carrying out the suggested edit but the search finds neither the avast.ini file nor InetWD section. I'm new to Windows 7 and still exploring my way around it and slowly getting used to the differences between it and XP. Junction Points that look like folders that were accessible in XP but do not have any user access have confused me somewhat but gradually I am getting there.
Anyway, thanks for your input - I'll report back any progress or otherwise later in the week.
Cheers, Kes.
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Hi David,
My problem system is not my XP desktop, that is fine. It is the Windows 7 desktop where Avast is misbehaving.
I've done a search for the files you mention with a view to carrying out the suggested edit but the search finds neither the avast.ini file nor InetWD section. I'm new to Windows 7 and still exploring my way around it and slowly getting used to the differences between it and XP. Junction Points that look like folders that were accessible in XP but do not have any user access have confused me somewhat but gradually I am getting there.
Anyway, thanks for your input - I'll report back any progress or otherwise later in the week.
Cheers, Kes.
The file is in a hidden folder so you need to make some changes in the Windows Folder Options:
(http://www.screencast-o-matic.com/screenshots/u/Lh/1390851720639-2499.png)
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@ Kesetyan
It is the C:\ProgramData\Avast Software\Avast\avast5.ini file and location in win7 and later. As you have also found that in win7 the ProgramData and sub-folders are hidden so you need to change windows explorer - Menu item Tools > Folder Options > View > Hidden Files and Folders as in the image Bob posted.
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Don't know if this applies but in Avast settings in Update section there is an option to check "My Computer is Permanently Connected to Internet". Perhaps this adds the AssumeAlwaysConnected=1 .....just throwing it out for comment.
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Don't know if this applies but in Avast settings in Update section there is an option to check "My Computer is Permanently Connected to Internet". Perhaps this adds the AssumeAlwaysConnected=1 .....just throwing it out for comment.
It may or may not add it, but my instructions state to add the line if it isn't present.
- Broadband connections, add this line:
AlwaysConnectedWaitSeconds=180 and
AssumeAlwaysConnected=1 if not present (or edit AssumeAlwaysConnected=0 to AssumeAlwaysConnected=1)
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Hi David, Bob and thekochs,
This is just to let you know that I have accomplished the changes albeit in a slightly roundabout manner.
Firstly, although I had already set my system to show hidden files Bob, Windows Search did not find the avast5.ini file and somehow I missed it doing a visual search. It was there of course and eventually I found it. The next problem puzzled me - despite my user account Having administrator rights, after editing the file, Windows would not let save the changes. I got around this by making the Administrator account visible, logging on to that account and making the changes in that account. I have also modified the item in Avast 'Troubleshooting' to 'Load avast! services only after loading other system services' as you suggested David.
It now remains to see if the changes resolve the issue. Thanks for maintaining your interest regarding my trivial issue - I will report back when I have news. Cheers, Kes.
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@ Kesetyan,
No issue is trivial if you're the one having the issue.
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<snip>
Firstly, although I had already set my system to show hidden files Bob, Windows Search did not find the avast5.ini file and somehow I missed it doing a visual search. It was there of course and eventually I found it.
Strange that explorer search didn't find it, that is normally an indication that it is in a hidden location. The main thing being that you have now found it.
The next problem puzzled me - despite my user account Having administrator rights, after editing the file, Windows would not let save the changes. I got around this by making the Administrator account visible, logging on to that account and making the changes in that account. I have also modified the item in Avast 'Troubleshooting' to 'Load avast! services only after loading other system services' as you suggested David.
Sometimes it may be necessary to run notepad.exe as administrator to modify the avast5.ini.
It now remains to see if the changes resolve the issue. Thanks for maintaining your interest regarding my trivial issue - I will report back when I have news. Cheers, Kes.
Hopefully it will help with the problem, fingers crossed.
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Hi David,
Unfortunately the issue is still not resolved. I also ran an Avast repair but that didn't help.
Although I have kept start-up programs to a minimum, I wonder if there may be a conflict. Two programs that run at start-up I have on the Windows 7 system but are not also on my well-behaved XP system are Dropbox and Mozilla Sunbird. Tomorrow I will experiment by disabling both to see if there is any change.
On the brighter side, this affair has proved to be a useful learning experience for an ancient chap like me - being new to Windows 7, I am learning much about the different handling requirements of the operating system when compared to XP and earlier versions of Windows. The advice given on this thread has been more useful than just the specifics for which it was offered.
I'll report back on any progress, cheers Kes.
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If you do a forum search for dropbox there has been some recent posts about that and avast.
I have dropbox and no issues though.
If you use something like WinPatrol Plus it has a feature to delay startup items and some items that I want to start automatically but not on boot I delay for a few minutes.
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Hi,
Unfortunately, disabling Dropbox and Mozilla Sunbird in the Startup folder did not resolve the Avast automatic update issue. I guess there is not much more I can try until I heart from Avast Support (if indeed they do contact me - there record has not been that good but I suppose they must give priority to paying customers). I can live with manually updating from the Avast website - the automatic streamed updates work so I presume I have protection.
Once more, I thank you for your interest David, it's good to know there are people like you on the forum. Regards, Kes.
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You're welcome - it is certainly very strange and this is probably the most frustrating issue that refuses to yield to the suggestions that would normally have resolved this.
You say you are "manually updating from the Avast website." Do you mean this page avast! Virus Definitions Update - Manual Download (http://www.avast.com/download-update), which is the full database download ?
I have reviewed the topic again, but I can't see if you have tried the Manual virus definitions update from the avast UI ?
- avastUI > Settings > Update > Virus Definitions - Update button.
or
- right click on the avast tray icon and select Update - Engine and virus definitions.
If you have tried the above, did it update the virus definitions or were there any errors ?
This would be an incremental update of the virus definitions and not the full database downloaded from the avast website (link above).
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Hi David,
The manual updates are from http://www.avast.com/download-update as opposed to http://www.avast.com/en-gb/download-update which is the site you have mentioned. I have tried manual updates from the Avast UI but they do not run - they stick at the beginning of step 1 ('Initializing, please wait ...') and the overall progress bar shows no progress. No errors are reported.
In trying to get the Avast! Virus Definitions Update today, from either of the two sites above, when I install, Avast tells me all is OK but no new file shows either in the program UI or in the defs folder in the Avast folder in Program Files. The latest showing is 14012801 which I downloaded and installed yesterday. The stream appears up to date at 14012900_stream timed at 5 minutes ago from me typing this.
I hope this all makes sense. Cheers for now, Kes.
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Hi David,
A minor update: I have just checked my XP desktop - it seems at the time of writing, Virus Definitions 14012801 is the latest and the streamed latest is 14012900_stream. Perhaps I should be patient and check my Windows 7 system later after the virus definitions next update on my XP system. Regrards, Kes.
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I would imaging that you have other streaming update sub-folders as 14012900_stream equates to VPS 140129-0 or rather streaming updates released since VPS 140129-0.
So you should have VPS 140129-0 not VPS 140128-1 unless you are talking about differences in the two machines, which only confuses things.
Keep it to the system which appears to be having issues (slow/failed receipt) with the VPS Auto Updates. If that system isn't on for reasonable amounts of time then the VPS update may lag a little. But should catch up when you next restart your system, the problem being your problem receiving auto updates. So yes there may be an update lag if you aren't getting the one shortly after boot.
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As of now, I have VPS 14012801, with 14102801_stream, 14012900_stream, and 14012901_stream folders. Attempting a manual update via the Avast icon "Update" reports that the VPS is current. I am receiving the streaming updates regularly now, so have no concerns at this time.
Edit: Corrected VPS version. Was typo.
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As of now, I have VPS 14011201, with 14102801_stream, 14012900_stream, and 14012901_stream folders. Attempting a manual update via the Avast icon "Update" reports that the VPS is current. I am receiving the streaming updates regularly now, so have no concerns at this time.
If it is reporting the VPS is up to date when the display isn't, then you need to do the Repair as outlined above (Reply #5). That has resolved this out of sync issue between what is reported and what is actually installed.
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As of now, I have VPS 14011201, with 14102801_stream, 14012900_stream, and 14012901_stream folders. Attempting a manual update via the Avast icon "Update" reports that the VPS is current. I am receiving the streaming updates regularly now, so have no concerns at this time.
If it is reporting the VPS is up to date when the display isn't, then you need to do the Repair as outlined above (Reply #5). That has resolved this out of sync issue between what is reported and what is actually installed.
DavidR, I had a typo. My VPS version is in sync. It's just that, for me at least, the latest VPS available is 14012801. This has happened on a couple of other occasions.
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Nothing wrong with that. :)
(http://www.screencast-o-matic.com/screenshots/u/Lh/1391034963929-36784.png)
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Well we do know that avast 9 is on a different virus definitions update stream to avast 8 and earlier. So there are times when what is reported on http://www.avast.com/virus-update-history may differ from what is delivered on avast 9.
Yes, currently on avast 9 the latest VPS is 140128-1.
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FWIW, VPS updated to 140129-1 at 6:29 PM EST on my WinXP desktop. Just a matter of when it was ready.
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Hi David,
Sorry if my references to both my XP and Windows 7 desktop systems added confusion but for me, comparing the two showed that Avast was not behaving correctly on the Windows 7 system.
The issue still remains with the Windows 7 system i.e. automatic streamed updates work but to get the latest virus definitions file, I have to download it from http://www.avast.com/en-gb/download-update. Trying to update from the program's user interface does not work as it just sticks on 'Initializing, please wait ...' and no progress registers on the progress bar even after an hour.
With the less important failure of the Rescue CD creation facility and having reported this and the automatic update and manual update from the program's UI issues to Avast Support, it is disappointing that although they issued a ticket, there has been no further contact from them.
Regards, Kes.