Avast WEBforum
Consumer Products => Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security (legacy Pro Antivirus, Internet Security, Premier) => Topic started by: MrMaxaMan on January 20, 2010, 10:22:36 AM
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Hi,
I recently upgraded to Avast 5 and i have tried to do a manual update of the definition files but it just says initializing. I use Comodo Firewall and i have checked that it is not blocking the connection.
In the Avast settings it is set to use Internet Explorers settings but i use an Ethernet cable and so i don't connect using a modem. I have also selected Direct Connection (No Proxy) but still i get nothing. Can anyone help?
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Don't know if this will help or not.
I had the exact same problem, so i decided to reboot again and now it is working fine.
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I installed it last night and did a reboot, and i have switched on my computer again this morning but still no luck.
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Hi Dumper
Afraid i am at a loss. ???
Someone will be along with a lot more knowledge than me shortly :)
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To same...
With correctly entered proxy setting...
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Well let's say what is your connection speed?
If it is really slow just go to option disable update,
Restart your computer then try to update it manually and let's see if it works :)
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I have a 3mb connection speed, i cancelled the update and rebooted, but still no luck.
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download manually from avast website
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I checked, but it looks like you can only download updates for Avast 4. Also it is not something i would want to do everyday, i would like it to update properly. :)
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Exact same problem here... this is an issue. Requesting an update brings up the update window which states:
"Initializing, please wait..."
and there it stays forever, doing nothing. Overall progress never begins.
Program update feature does the same thing.
WinXP SP3
Comodo Firewall (allowing all Avast! events; also tried with firewall turned off)
Obviously, an antivirus that won't update is going to be a big problem.
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Everything working here.
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It may be that 100 000 000 users have updatet to v5 and is now trying to update at the same time, and the update server is now tierd and want some rest........ ;D so maybe it will work tomorrow...
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Well I've been trying to update on and off for the last 24 hours, so I doubt it is because the site is busy. Now I'm getting worried with having out of date definitions.
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Exact same problem here... this is an issue. Requesting an update brings up the update window which states:
"Initializing, please wait..."
and there it stays forever, doing nothing. Overall progress never begins.
Program update feature does the same thing.
WinXP SP3
Comodo Firewall (allowing all Avast! events; also tried with firewall turned off)
Obviously, an antivirus that won't update is going to be a big problem.
Edmuser, I am also using Win XP SP3 and Comodo Firewall, I wonder if one of those is causing the problem.
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Well I've been trying to update on and off for the last 24 hours, so I doubt it is because the site is busy. Now I'm getting worried with having out of date definitions.
mine have VPS 100120-1 and updates fine
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I had the same problem and did 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 the instructions. I then rebooted and everything seems to be o.k.
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I just did a repair and then a reboot but still no success. Just before I clicked on repair there is an option to check the connection, I clicked on it but it failed to connect.
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Having exactly the same prob here :(
Seems like avast update is unable to connect to the server.
Running XP SP3
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So others are having the same problem, my definitions are two days out of date and I will have to go back to the previous version if this isn't sorted out soon.
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Do you use any firewall?
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Yes i use Comodo Firewall and i have checked it's not blocking Avast.
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All firewall off, tried various different internet connections at various locations. But avast 5 just refuse to update.
So rolled back to 4.8 :(
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I uninstalled and then re-installed Avast 5 but it still won't update. I have now gone back to version 4.8, i hope this problem gets sorted out quickly.
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Try uninstall firewall and other protection software
Then try to update?
Lets see what will happen?
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I'm not sure how many times it needs to be said, but the firewall is not blocking anything. The only thing that's going to be uninstalled here is Avast in favour of a complete move over to Comodo.
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One thing I noticed going back to version 4.8 is Avast first tries to connect using dial up, then when that doesn't work it uses my Ethernet connection. I'm wondering if version 5 tries the dial up but not the Ethernet connection even when I change the settings.
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In my case, manual update checks work fine (v5 free), both for engine/defs and for program, but there's been no auto updates at all since I upgraded from 4.8. Can't find any error messages that would give me hints, looked in system Events as someone had suggested but nothing there jumps out at me.
I've switched back and forth between "always connected" and "dialup" settings, also have tried both no proxy and auto-detect with no success. Sounds like, from other postings, trying a Repair is the next step.
(Edit, shortly later) Bingo! Repair did the trick ... when I opted to look at the resulting setup log, it appeared that nothing had been added or changed, but no sooner had I finished than I got that good ole pop-up notification. :)
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Problems seems resolved with 5.0418, and Virus definition 100213-1.
Hopefully remains that way.
Thanks Avast! =)
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Can anybody offer some advise on the same problem.
I've been using Avast for 5 or 6 years with no problem, I've tried always I can possibly think of to install 5. It installs no problem I can go into the program and access anything I need to. It will phone home and validate the registration but it will not update definitions. it just sits there. I've tried to install 4 times 3 of which were fresh/different downloads.
When I try to update manually about two mm of the progress bar appears and then it just sits there. I have tried to download up to date definition direct from the Avast web site (with the registration on the progam showing valid until Feb 2011) but again the progress bar begins to to appear then just sits there. I have had to go back to 4.8 which works and updates normally.
I've tried all the suggestions in this thread and more besides. I've updated my wife's Windows7 laptop to Avast 5 no problem, and also my own Laptop with XP Pro on it. What can it be that is selectively stopping Avast 5 from updating on my desk top.
XP Home, on my Desktop.
Any advise/suggestions very welcome
Jack
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Any firewall?
Other security programs that could interfere?
Can you test with "no proxy" setting (Updates > Proxy)?
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Hello Tech!
Thanks for replying.
Tried 'direct no proxy' setting and sorry but it made no difference, but after I tried that I then tried to open IE to post this message and I just got a blank page, the tool bars loaded but the page was blank apart from a connection error pop up, I tried the automatically offered diagnose connection button and it reported no problem detected. I then switched Avast 5 back to the 'use IE settings' option which of course made no difference to Avast ability to connect but unfortunately IE was now also still unable to connect as well. (???) Tried the Avast created system restore point but it would not work, and worse I now had a crippled Avast 5 that would not do anything at all tried a previous restore point which I had used two days ago without problem and now that wouldn't work either.
Can't really say how I got to where I now am, but after a fraught hour of re-installing repairing, uninstalling and restoring backwards and forwards eventually got 4.8 re-installed OK, but at first the scanner was not working, everything else seemed OK so tried repair and that fixed it.
Completely at a loss what to try next. ???
Jack
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I suggest an installation from the scratch:
1. Download the latest version of avast! Uninstall Utility (http://www.avast.com/eng/avast-uninstall-utility.html) and save it.
2. Download the latest avast! (http://www.avast.com/eng/programs.html) version and save it.
3. Uninstall avast from Control Panel (if possible). If, for any reason, you can't run it, try booting in Safe Mode (http://www.pchell.com/support/safemode.shtml) and doing it from there. Anyway, boot after that.
4. Run the avast! Uninstall Utility saved on 1. If, for any reason, you can't run it, try booting in Safe Mode (http://www.pchell.com/support/safemode.shtml) and doing it from there. Anyway, boot after you've run it.
5. Install avast! using the setup saved on 2. Boot.
6. Register your free copy or add the license key for Pro.
7. Check and post the results.
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Hello Tech!
Thanks for that, I will try again with the Avast uninstaller, but I am not at all sure that it will make any difference as in the interest of trying to keep the post short there is something I didn't tell you, which is as follows.
As I had tried five or six times to install and get updates to work, I decided I had to get rid of anything that might be causing the problem. So now you will begin to see what a devoted fan of Avast I am, or maybe just think I am crazy. ::)
I decided that I wasn't going to be beaten by this, so download yet another fresh copy of Avast 5 stored it on my external drive then reformatted my main C drive and did a clean install of XP. Then with only IE8 installed, no other programs at all installed, not even a firewall or anti-spyware installed the fresh copy of Avast 5 to it default settings, except I declined the Google Chrome option (I have tried Google Chrome and do not like it much).
Then with nothing else installed except IE8 and Avast 5 I registered and it updated the registration to Feb 2011, but again I did not see the definitions update process, so after a long enough wait I decided to do it manually and of course it just sat there as before switching the cannot 'connect message' on and off.
I am not able to try your suggestion right now but will do so when I have enough spare time to allow for it not working again.
All suggestions/advice appreciated, I really want Avast 5 and feel very frustrated by this.
Thanks
Jack
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Hello again Tech, just had a thought.
Do you know if Avast 5 varies in some way as to any services it needs running that are different to the needs of 4.8. For instance does it rely on anything from Goggle or Windows, that is different.
If there is something different I can have check it and compare the settings to my laptop which is quite happy with Avast 5.
There has to be something different in 5 otherwise it would update just as 4.8 does when re-installed on the same system with nothing changed.
Jack
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Do you know if Avast 5 varies in some way as to any services it needs running that are different to the needs of 4.8. For instance does it rely on anything from Goggle or Windows, that is different.
Google? For sure not.
Windows? I think not. Mail and Web services depend on avast service, and this depend on RPC of Windows (as in 4.8). Firewall is independent.
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Well I'm just about ready to quit on Avast, :-\ I've lost track of the hours I've spent on this today. I've uninstalled IE8 (mainly out of desperation) and I'm now back to IE7 but it has made no difference at all. I feel sure there is something that just needs checking or unchecking for it to connect.
Very strange that 4.8 has no problems at all but 5 just can't connect. Having uninstalled 4.8 using the Avast removal tool and downloaded a fresh copy of Avast 5 I have compared as best that I can everything I can think of against my lap top which is working fine on Avast 5 but I can't see anything that I can think of that is set differently.
Each time it doesn't connect after about a minute I get a message similar to ... cannot connect to download967.avast.com (74.86.232.44:80) the down load number changes each message and so does the IP address in bracket. I am presuming the :80 is the outgoing port on my computer. Anyway I tried typing variation of that into my address bar and it took me an Avast download page, where I navigated to the manual download page and downloaded the updates manually but when I ran the download I then got this message.
Can not install VPS updates.
Please report the following
error codes.
Version: 5.0.418
SI: 0x00000002
ST: 0xFFFFFFFF
LE: 0x00000000
Now if somebody was able to tell me what that means it might give a clue where to look for the problem.
Jack
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Well I'm just about ready to quit on Avast
Unfortunately, same here. Avast has been my anti-virus for years, but version 5 just won't work for me. Got to turn of Web shield to get internet working, got to turn off Mail shield to get mails working and no matter how hard I've tried, I just can't get updates either from the Avast interface ("Cannot connect to server") or from direct download from the site (crash on install)
ZoneAlarm shutdown, DMZ activated on router, Peerblock off, all shield off in Avast, played with "Internet Options" settings as suggested, did a clean install (with Safe Mode and all)... it just won't work.
My definition file is now 13 days old. I can't stay with Avast if it won't protect my system. I just can't.
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.... I just can't get updates either from the Avast interface ("Cannot connect to server")....
ZoneAlarm shutdown, DMZ activated on router, Peerblock off, all shield off in Avast, played with "Internet Options" settings as suggested, did a clean install (with Safe Mode and all)... it just won't work.
You do not need DMZ activated on router, nor any of the Avast Shields turned off in Avast to update it.
Zone Alarm "shut down" unfortunately does not mean it isn't blocking. In fact if Avast! Antivirus Update (C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast5\Setup\Avast.setup) is not specifically allowed in Zone Alarm, then "Cannot connect to server" is the message you will get. If you have been playing around shutting down Zone Alarm then even if the above is shown, the setting may no longer be active.
I suggest you get Zone Alarm back running properly, and your router back to normal settings, then delete any settings in Zone Alarm Program Control->Programs that refer to Avast, then reboot. When Zone Alarm asks for permission for an Avast process, tick remember and allow it. You should wind up with three entries in Zone Alarm with ticks in the Access columns for both Trusted and Internet.
Avast! Antivirus Update (C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast5\Setup\Avast.setup)
Avast! Antivirus (C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast5\AvastUI.exe)
Avast! Service ( C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast5\AvastSvc.exe)
Windows Task Manager should show two entries for Avast - AvastSvc.exe and AvastUI.exe
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I also suggest to check "avast.setup" process remains or not before you try to update. If this process remained (this means avast! fails updating before), avast! never succeed to update automatically / manually even with correct settings.
This process is protected by self-defense, so you have to stop self-defense to shutdown it.
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You do not need DMZ activated on router, nor any of the Avast Shields turned off in Avast to update it.
I know, but it was to say that I've tried everything to make it work, allowing all possible ports to access Internet, ruling out the possibility of having the router or ZoneAlarm being the culprits.
Zone Alarm "shut down" unfortunately does not mean it isn't blocking. In fact if Avast! Antivirus Update (C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast5\Setup\Avast.setup) is not specifically allowed in Zone Alarm, then "Cannot connect to server" is the message you will get. If you have been playing around shutting down Zone Alarm then even if the above is shown, the setting may no longer be active.
I suggest you get Zone Alarm back running properly, and your router back to normal settings, then delete any settings in Zone Alarm Program Control->Programs that refer to Avast, then reboot. When Zone Alarm asks for permission for an Avast process, tick remember and allow it. You should wind up with three entries in Zone Alarm with ticks in the Access columns for both Trusted and Internet.
I really doubt shutting down ZoneAlarm would still block some ports. But hey, I tried what you suggested. After ZoneAlarm asked me the confirmations to allow Avast, I went further by forcing complete access.
(http://pages.infinit.net/lyverbe/Avast.jpg)
But I still get "Cannot connect to server".
Windows Task Manager should show two entries for Avast - AvastSvc.exe and AvastUI.exe
...and it does!
Unfortunately, there's no clear message of what the real problem is when it's trying to connect. Invalid username/password? server unreachable? unable to open port x? host not found? file not found? It would certainly help more than just "Cannot connect to server"
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Have you tried this ?
Go to Control Panel and select Internet Options
Select the Connections TAB
Select LAN settings button
Ensure there is no tick in the Proxy Server box
Select OK and restart Internet explorer
And for Firefox there are instructions on this page (http://davidtse916.wordpress.com/2008/07/05/university-of-otago-firefoxs-proxy-auto-detection-problem-in-vista/)and you want the setting to be no proxy
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Have you tried this ?
Go to Control Panel and select Internet Options
Select the Connections TAB
Select LAN settings button
Ensure there is no tick in the Proxy Server box
Select OK and restart Internet explorer
Of course. Like I said, I did try pretty much everything already.
And for Firefox there are instructions on this page (http://davidtse916.wordpress.com/2008/07/05/university-of-otago-firefoxs-proxy-auto-detection-problem-in-vista/)and you want the setting to be no proxy
Don't know what Firefox setting has to do with Avast's connections, but I changed the settings as said. Still cannot connect to the server. I've always been able to ping the downloadxxx.avast.com server, but I just can't connect to it.
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Could you run this programme for me, it is purely analysis
To ensure that I get all the information this log will need to be attached (instructions at the end) if it is to large to attach then upload to Mediafire (http://www.mediafire.com/) and post the sharing link.
Download OTS (http://oldtimer.geekstogo.com/OTS.exe) to your Desktop
- Close ALL OTHER PROGRAMS.
- Double-click on OTS.exe to start the program.
- Check the box that says Scan All Users
- Under Additional Scans check the following:
- Reg - Shell Spawning
- File - Lop Check
- File - Purity Scan
- Evnt - EvtViewer (last 10)
- Under the Custom Scan box paste this in
netsvcs
%SYSTEMDRIVE%\*.exe
/md5start
eventlog.dll
scecli.dll
netlogon.dll
cngaudit.dll
sceclt.dll
ntelogon.dll
logevent.dll
iaStor.sys
nvstor.sys
atapi.sys
IdeChnDr.sys
viasraid.sys
AGP440.sys
vaxscsi.sys
nvatabus.sys
viamraid.sys
nvata.sys
nvgts.sys
iastorv.sys
ViPrt.sys
eNetHook.dll
ahcix86.sys
KR10N.sys
nvstor32.sys
ahcix86s.sys
nvrd32.sys
symmpi.sys
adp3132.sys
mv61xx.sys
/md5stop
%systemroot%\*. /mp /s
CREATERESTOREPOINT
%systemroot%\system32\*.dll /lockedfiles
%systemroot%\Tasks\*.job /lockedfiles
%systemroot%\system32\drivers\*.sys /lockedfiles
%systemroot%\System32\config\*.sav
- Now click the Run Scan button on the toolbar.
- Let it run unhindered until it finishes.
- When the scan is complete Notepad will open with the report file loaded in it.
- Click the Format menu and make sure that Wordwrap is not checked. If it is then click on it to uncheck it.
Please attach the log in your next post.
To attach a file, do the following:- Click Add Reply
- Under the reply panel is the Attachments Panel
- Browse for the attachment file you want to upload, then click the green Upload button
- Once it has uploaded, click the Manage Current Attachments drop down box
- Click on (http://www.geekstogo.com/forum/style_images/11168623649/folder_attach_images/attach_add.png) to insert the attachment into your post
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Hello Essexboy!
As Lyverbe sort of jumped in on my post, but has so far not replied to your offer of help and 4 hours have elapsed would you mind if I ask for your help/advice.
I have followed your instructions and here is the Mediafire attachment link of the my OTS log. (Hope I got it right and the link don't take you somewhere unpleasant ;) )
http://www.mediafire.com/?wowohmdnlmn
Really appreciate your help with this.
Thanks
Jack
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Here's the log.
Thanks for helping us with this.
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Can not install VPS updates.
Please report the following
error codes.
Version: 5.0.418
SI: 0x00000002
ST: 0xFFFFFFFF
LE: 0x00000000
in my mind it says "syntax error call a function without being declared"
this maybe happen when it is download from other computer and update it in the other
updating is just like a doctor consult and give medicine
i wonder if you trying multiple update in one download
*apology just a curios mind*
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Hello! Lyvebe sorry I butted in on your butt in ;) LOL
I just logged back with some extra info which might help Essexboy, and maybe yourself.
I post on the CA Forum fairly regular it was there they suggested I ask on the Avast Forum. So today a member also suggested I try to manual update in Safemode, which I did and Avast 5 updated no problem. So at least I can feel a bit safer on the net until this is hopefully sorted.
The way I did it was to download the updates to a USB stick, go into safe mode, start avast manually, and just run the updates file from the stick and it updated no trouble.
So just thought I should pass that on in case it helps.
Jack
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Can not install VPS updates.
Please report the following
error codes.
Version: 5.0.418
SI: 0x00000002
ST: 0xFFFFFFFF
LE: 0x00000000
in my mind it says "syntax error call a function without being declared"
this maybe happen when it is download from other computer and update it in the other
updating is just like a doctor consult and give medicine
i wonder if you trying multiple update in one download
*apology just a curios mind*
Hello Bonge I'm afraid I am not that knowledgeable on computers so you will have to forgive me for not fully understanding what you are saying, but you have just given me a thought. I know this shouldn't make any difference but I am going to try running the installation directly from the download site instead of first saving the file and then running it.
I'll let you know but don't hold your breath ;)
Jack
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@Lyverbe from the log I can also see Kerio firewall as well and it still appears to be running - this is in addition to ZA, so that may well be part of your problem. So you will need to uninstall one of them
I found a tad of malware though
Start OTS. Copy/Paste the information in the quotebox below into the pane where it says "Paste fix here" and then click the Run Fix button.
[Unregister Dlls]
[File - Lop Check]
NY -> .# -> C:\Users\Johnathan\AppData\Roaming\.#
[Empty Temp Folders]
The fix should only take a very short time. When the fix is completed a message box will popup telling you that it is finished. Click the Ok button and Notepad will open with a log of actions taken during the fix. Post that information back here along.
I will review the information when it comes back in.
Also let me know of any problems you encountered performing the steps above or any continuing problems you are still having with the computer.
@jack157 the next post is for you
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@jack157 no apparent malware - and your firewall is Ashampoo, I have no idea how that works but I would feel that it is the root of your problem, Avast is not being let through
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:'( o sorry jack i didn't mean anything!
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I had a similar problem when I upgraded to Avast 5. When I turned off Comodo I could manually update Avast. I did this for a few days and then replaced Comodo with Zone Alarm and no longer have an updating problem.
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@jack157 no apparent malware - and your firewall is Ashampoo, I have no idea how that works but I would feel that it is the root of your problem, Avast is not being let through
Ok I'll try anything, Ashampoo (despite it's mickey mouse reputation) has served me well but if it's gotta go in favour of Avast then so be it although it did work well with 4.8 ???
But just a couple of things, in an earlier post somebody said that there should be three entries in the firewall rules. I have just noticed that I only have two, one is avast set up, the other is AvastUI, but there is no AvastSvc, which I presume is the updater. (it is different to 4.8 which was Ash*** something or other).
The other point I made in an earlier post is that I was so desperate to get Avast 5 working that I reformatted and reinstalled XP then the very first program was Avast5 without any firewall or other security software and it wouldn't update. But having said that as I am typing this I'm starting to have doubts about how I am recalling the chain of events. It would have made sense to next install the Firewall before I went on the Internet so perhaps I did have the firewall installed when I ran the updater and I am not recalling it accurately.
OK I'll uninstall it and give it a try.
I'll get back to you.
Thanks again
Jack
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@jack157 no apparent malware - and your firewall is Ashampoo, I have no idea how that works but I would feel that it is the root of your problem, Avast is not being let through
Guess what!! A very nice sounding American Young Lady has just informed me that my virus data base is up to date. ;D . To be honest I only wanted Avast 5 because of her.
Thanks Essexboy I feel a bit of a plonker not trying it with the Firewall uninstalled but I felt sure I had tried it without anything else installed that was the whole point of reinstalling XP, and I know I tried it with Ashampoo Firwall disabled (not uninstalled) and just the windows firewall enabled on several occasions before I did the XP rebuild. But there has been so much I have tweaked and messed about.
Anyway I'm happy, .... Good Job, thanks again.
Jack
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IM HAPPY FOR YOU JACK JUST LIKE OLD DAYS A YOUNG LADY IS BACK WITH THE NICE VOICE
IF YOU LIKE THAT, I HAVE FILE OF ANY YOUNG LADY SAYING "WARNING THERE'S A VIRUS IN YOUR COMPUTER."
:-*
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Oh my god... this "fix" you asked me to do completely emptied my recycling bin. I *NEVER* empty my recycling bin! When I delete stuff, I use Shift-Delete 95% of the time. I see my recycling bin as a sort of big temporary/backup folder. I did see the command "[Empty Temp Folders]", but how could I even think this would empty my recycling bin :'(
As for Kerio, I did try it in the past and didn't like it, so I uninstalled it shortly after. The OST log specifies "Kernel | On_Demand | Stopped" meaning that the service is stopped. Still, I wanted to completely remove it, so I went in my services and searched for it. I couldn't find it, but I was surprised to find "Windows7Firewall" still running, a free firewall I used while ZoneAlarm was still not compatible with Windows 7, but I only disabled (not uninstalled) when I installed ZoneAlarm. I stopped the service and the updates now work.
Strange though. I've been using ZoneAlarm for the last 2 months and Windows7Firewall was not interfering with outbound connections. Why was it suddenly blocking Avast and not any of the other internet applications I've been using during the last two months?!
Anyhow, thanks for spending all this time with me (us?). You were helpful... even though I lost everything in my recycling bin!
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Hi Lyverbe :)
Re: Windows Firewall Service
I got a shock a few weeks ago when I realised that my Windows Firewall Service was still running :o
As the Firewall I actually use is... PC Tools Firewall Plus
However!
I found out that it is perfectly Normal for the Windows Firewall Service to be running ::)
Even When... Windows Firewall .. Is Turned - OFF
This Is Perfectly Normal! 8)
So!
As long as your Windows Firewall is showing as OFF .. It Is OFF .. Nothing to worry about! ;)
Hally
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Hey everyone. I had the same problem with Avast 5 Internet Security no longer connecting to the server for updates. This was on a clients computer that I removed some malware from. I assume the malware caused the issue. But what worked for me was to open Avast->Settings->Update tab->Proxy settings->select direct connect
In my case when I went to Proxy Setting, none of the options were selected. I then chose Direct Connect and updates started working.
I hope this works for everyone.