Avast WEBforum

Consumer Products => Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security (legacy Pro Antivirus, Internet Security, Premier) => Topic started by: rtsmith on June 12, 2006, 02:15:30 PM

Title: When automatic updating virus definitions "cannot connect"
Post by: rtsmith on June 12, 2006, 02:15:30 PM
Hello all,

i am running Windows XP and Zone Alarm Home Edition.  I am getting the dreaded red box when avast first tries to download virus definitions (after I turn on my computer) and it says

Information about current update:
Last encountered error: Cannot connect to download43.avast.com (66.98.216.24:80).

Total time: 2:08

I have access to the internet, both avast virus and email scanning have all green checks in Zone Alarm.  This just started happening all of a sudden.  I've reinstalled the latest version of Avast...same results.  Any idea what I am doing wrong?

thanks in advance,
Rachel
Title: Re: When automatic updating virus definitions "cannot connect"
Post by: DavidR on June 12, 2006, 03:28:20 PM
Check and ensure ZA allows access for avast,setup (the update function), if it does and it has permission, delete the entry in ZA. Now do a manual update ZA should ask permission again, accept it and you should be able to connect.

ZA has previously shown this problem of a program with permission being blocked, perhaps a database problem where it forgets settings.
Title: Re: When automatic updating virus definitions "cannot connect"
Post by: rtsmith on June 12, 2006, 09:00:42 PM
Thank-you, that did the trick!
Title: Re: When automatic updating virus definitions "cannot connect"
Post by: DavidR on June 12, 2006, 09:29:16 PM
No problem, welcome to the forums.
Title: Re: When automatic updating virus definitions "cannot connect"
Post by: peggymac on June 14, 2006, 12:04:27 AM
when I startup the internet, the red box pops up from behind the time, saying I need to update. after I click on it, another box pops up in the middle of the screen saying, " Last encountered error: can't select any server for downloading (from 0) total time 22s {that varies}. what am I doing wrong??
Title: Re: When automatic updating virus definitions "cannot connect"
Post by: Lisandro on June 14, 2006, 12:11:58 AM
What am I doing wrong??
Probably nothing... The servers.def file could get corrupt in your computer.
You can download servers.def from here: http://download1.avast.com/iavs4x/servers.def
Save it to C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\setup folder
Start the update again and post the results. If it fails, we'll try another solution  8)
Title: Re: When automatic updating virus definitions "cannot connect"
Post by: peggymac on June 14, 2006, 12:29:57 AM
I followed all the steps you said, but when I went to "updating...iAVS update", I received the same box..."can't select any server for downloading..."
Title: Re: When automatic updating virus definitions "cannot connect"
Post by: DavidR on June 14, 2006, 12:53:35 AM
But is it still saying Last encountered error: can't select any server for downloading (from 0) ?
If so you probaly haven't placed into the correct folder, C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\setup as Tech mentioned. Check this location for the file and what is its size, if 0KB delete it and try a manual upload and I believe it should download it again.
Or delete it and try a repair of avast. Add Remove programs, select 'avast! Anti-Virus,' click the Change/Remove button and scroll down to Repair, click next and follow. You need to be on-line to do this.
Title: Re: When automatic updating virus definitions "cannot connect"
Post by: peggymac on June 14, 2006, 07:10:24 PM
hello, again. I redid the steps you described before, to no avail.  I went to Add/Remove and followed those steps, but no luck again.  The only thing that might be hindering me is the fact that I have Open Office 2.0 instead of MS Word.  Would that make a difference anywhere?  The computer repair store installed this Avast program last time it was in there (a month ago) and I don't believe it has updated since I brought it home! Should I take it back to them?
Title: Re: When automatic updating virus definitions "cannot connect"
Post by: cmthomson on June 14, 2006, 07:34:25 PM
when I startup the internet, the red box pops up from behind the time, saying I need to update. after I click on it, another box pops up in the middle of the screen saying, " Last encountered error: can't select any server for downloading (from 0) total time 22s {that varies}. what am I doing wrong??
I had this exact problem after installing the latest Windows update yesterday. Getting a new key made this message go away, but then a "key invalid" error occurred during update. Doing a repair fixed this and now all is happiness again. To repair, contol panel, add/remove program, avast, repair.
Title: Re: When automatic updating virus definitions "cannot connect"
Post by: Lisandro on June 14, 2006, 07:39:27 PM
The only thing that might be hindering me is the fact that I have Open Office 2.0 instead of MS Word.  Would that make a difference anywhere?
No, it won't.
Last avast versions does not use even the storage drivers of Microsoft (ODBC).
Do you have any problem now or not? I'm not sure reading your posts...
Title: Re: When automatic updating virus definitions "cannot connect"
Post by: peggymac on June 14, 2006, 07:44:09 PM
I have taken the Control Panel route, but when I get to the last step, "repair", I have no option to do that, just add/remove. when I click on that, nothing happens. and I just tried to update the iAVS with the same message...can't select server for downloading (from 0).
Title: Re: When automatic updating virus definitions "cannot connect"
Post by: cmthomson on June 14, 2006, 07:52:59 PM
I left out a step: while trying a new key and repairing, I disabled Windows Defender (turn it off with startup inspector and reboot); I don't know whether this was related or not, but the Defender signatures were updated by the last Windows Update that was the apparent cause of all this grief.
Title: Re: When automatic updating virus definitions "cannot connect"
Post by: cmthomson on June 14, 2006, 07:57:16 PM
I have taken the Control Panel route, but when I get to the last step, "repair", I have no option to do that, just add/remove. when I click on that, nothing happens. and I just tried to update the iAVS with the same message...can't select server for downloading (from 0).
Sorry for incomplete instructions. Repair is one of the options after you click on change/remove. You have to scroll down to see it.
Title: Re: When automatic updating virus definitions "cannot connect"
Post by: wendy k. walker on June 16, 2006, 05:08:20 AM
Hi Tech, I don't know how to make that "Quote" thing work, but you said >

 You can download servers.def from here: http://download1.avast.com/iavs4x/servers.def

OK I clicked on that link, and it took me to a page that looked just like if I had opened notepad to edit a file.

There was no way to download what was there other than to do the copy/paste thing.

Is that what you were wanting them to do, copy it there, and then past it into their files?

I'm asking because I've had similar troubles with the little red box popping up every time I start my PC.

Thanks Wendy
Title: Re: When automatic updating virus definitions "cannot connect"
Post by: Lisandro on June 16, 2006, 05:50:22 AM
Hi Tech, I don't know how to make that "Quote" thing work
If you click in the buttom 'quote', what do you get?  ::)

You can download servers.def from here: http://download1.avast.com/iavs4x/servers.def
OK I clicked on that link, and it took me to a page that looked just like if I had opened notepad to edit a file.
There was no way to download what was there other than to do the copy/paste thing.
Is that what you were wanting them to do, copy it there, and then past it into their files?
Yes, copy its contents and replace the ones at the original servers.def file.
Save the file and start the update.  8)
Title: Re: When automatic updating virus definitions "cannot connect"
Post by: DavidR on June 16, 2006, 03:29:13 PM
Try right clicking the link and select save link as or similar words and save it to your hard disk.
Title: Re: When automatic updating virus definitions "cannot connect"
Post by: wendy k. walker on June 17, 2006, 02:03:54 PM
Hi Tech, when I try to use the quote thing it copies everything from where I selected "quote" down to the bottom of the page.

OK I'll try that and see if it helps.
Thanks

Wendy
Title: Re: When automatic updating virus definitions "cannot connect"
Post by: Lisandro on June 17, 2006, 05:09:59 PM
Hi Tech, when I try to use the quote thing it copies everything from where I selected "quote" down to the bottom of the page.
Wendy, in the forums options (buttom Profile above) there is a possibility to 'disable' quick answers.
So, when you click quote a new tab (window) will be opened with the quoted text.
Then, you delete or cute the text, copying the first line of the quote command, including the brackets and finish with the word 'quote' into brackets too:
Here without the brackets for you to see:

quote author=wendy k. walker link=topic=21610.msg181001#msg181001 date=1150545834
\quote
Title: Re: When automatic updating virus definitions "cannot connect"
Post by: DavidR on June 17, 2006, 05:46:10 PM
It will when you click the quote button in a post it will quoting the whole post, you need to keep the bits you need, e.g. the initial quote reference and the closing quote and any text you don't want you delete.
For example with the square brackets:
Code: [Select]
[quote author=wendy k. walker link=topic=21610.msg181001#msg181001 date=1150545834]
quote of the content you wish to retain
[/quote]


Title: Re: When automatic updating virus definitions "cannot connect"
Post by: Baseman on June 17, 2006, 07:52:34 PM
Evidently I am not the only one who started having this problem all of the sudden. I run Avast Home 4.7 on XP Pro. Was fully updated and functioning properly before I recently started getting error messages while it tries to update. It says it cant connect to the server...... "connection terminated, retrying".

I replaced the servers.def file, and even did a repair of the install. The repair told me "The product was sucessfully updated"......... yet it STILL will not connect and update. I have removed it from my firewall, and added it back again as an authorized connection.

it seems many people are having a problem with this all of the sudden, recently............. is it possible there is a problem with the server?
Title: Re: When automatic updating virus definitions "cannot connect"
Post by: Lisandro on June 17, 2006, 07:54:33 PM
it seems many people are having a problem with this all of the sudden, recently............. is it possible there is a problem with the server?
Does this occur just after the logon or at any time you try to update?
Does this occur with automatic updates or manual ones either?
Title: Re: When automatic updating virus definitions "cannot connect"
Post by: Baseman on June 18, 2006, 04:59:06 AM
both...and all. Since it tries to update immeidately upon booting...... the message comes up then, and everytime it both tries to auto update, or when I try to manually update it...... and it does it both for the virus definition update, and the program update.

last error received:

"Information about current update:
Last encountered error: Cannot connect to download16.avast.com (70.84.132.26:80).

Total time: 26:00"
Title: Re: When automatic updating virus definitions "cannot connect"
Post by: web5iy on June 18, 2006, 10:31:21 AM
very good!!! ;D
Title: Re: When automatic updating virus definitions "cannot connect"
Post by: Lisandro on June 18, 2006, 04:25:31 PM
both...and all.
So, the problem should be in the firewall (blocking access to update).
Which firewall do you use?

If it occurs just after logging, you could change (or add) AlwaysConnectedWaitSeconds value into the [InetWD] section of avast4.ini file.
You could set the number of seconds to wait before attempting to update. The default is 30 but it may not be enough in some DSL systems. In this case, you can try increasing this e.g. to 60 (1 minute). That should be enough.
More details here: http://forum.avast.com/index.php?board=2;action=display;threadid=1647
Title: Re: When automatic updating virus definitions "cannot connect"
Post by: Baseman on June 19, 2006, 09:31:19 PM
it wasnt the time of delay........... something changed in the update last week, whether it was the updater or not. I had the same modules allowed access that I always had for the program. It didnt work again until I:

1) Removed the Avast entries in my firewall configuration that I had allowed to access the internet.
2) Turned off my firewall
3) Did a manual update of Avast(which worked finally)
4) Turned the firewall back on
5) Allow the same modules access to the internet again, in the firewall configuration.

........ and it has worked since.

I doubt it was an issue with the firewall itself, as both my desktops and my laptop encountered the same problem at the exact same time....... as well all the others who had posted.
Title: Re: When automatic updating virus definitions "cannot connect"
Post by: DavidR on June 19, 2006, 10:28:08 PM
You didn't say what firewall you used, but Zone Alarm has in the past forgotten allocated permissions even though the list said permission was granted.

There hasn't been a program update for some time which would be the most likely to change the avast.setup file and if changed your firewall should ask again and not simply block updates (unless you inadvertently clicked deny, etc. without realising it was for avast update).

I have also had this when whilst browsing, I suddenly couldn't access http pages, I checked my firewall permissions for ashWebSv.exe and it had permission, yet it was being blocked. The only thing to resolve it was to do what you did, delete the entry in the firewall and have the firewall ask again.

Quote from: Baseman
I doubt it was an issue with the firewall itself, as both my desktops and my laptop encountered the same problem at the exact same time....... as well all the others who had posted.

Whilst this does seem too much to be a coincidence when you have it happen on two computers. I doubt that all the issues with update could be the same otherwise we would be inundated at the forums with this problem. Also if it hadn't been firewall related for many then we wouldn't have been able to resolve their problem, as in the originator of this Topic.