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Consumer Products => Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security (legacy Pro Antivirus, Internet Security, Premier) => Topic started by: toppy on November 27, 2011, 03:09:17 PM

Title: avast 6 free definition update no longer updates.
Post by: toppy on November 27, 2011, 03:09:17 PM
hi.my avast 6 free edition definition update has suddenly stopped working.it used to work properly but now i keep getting a pop-up message saying it couldn't update.i've tried doing it manually,i've tried uninstalling the software and downloading it again,but i still get the same problem.it starts to download the definitions,but when it gets to the vps_32-64f-64e.vpx file
it just says connection terminated,retrying...but nothing happens.
i'm using windows 7.i've checked for malware using malewarebytes-antimalware but no infections are found.don't know what else to try.any help would be appreciated.
Title: Re: avast 6 free definition update no longer updates.
Post by: ady4um on November 27, 2011, 03:16:41 PM
"Add / Remove Programs" -> Avast -> repair -> follow instructions -> REBOOT.

Please report back.
Title: Re: avast 6 free definition update no longer updates.
Post by: toppy on November 27, 2011, 09:16:53 PM
hi,tried your suggestion.a pop-up appeared saying error processing packages.try full update.
i clicked the view log button and at the bottom of the page it showed error 0x20000011.
Title: Re: avast 6 free definition update no longer updates.
Post by: Lisandro on November 27, 2011, 09:22:40 PM
I suggest an installation from 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. Or even upgrade (http://www.avast.com/resend-license-paid.php) your key from old versions.
7. Check and post the results. If, for any reason, you did not solve, try doing the step 3 in Safe Mode anyway.
Title: Re: avast 6 free definition update no longer updates.
Post by: toppy on November 27, 2011, 11:25:46 PM
i've already tried uninstalling it then installing it new again from the avast website.
when i try updating the definitions manually it starts to download,but when it gets to
vps_32-64f-64e.vpx file the connection gets terminated and it says retrying.but still get the same red coloured pop up saying update failed.i've run checks with both avast and malwarebytes
antimalwarebytes but no infections show up.
Title: Re: avast 6 free definition update no longer updates.
Post by: ady4um on November 27, 2011, 11:59:06 PM
First, avoid the manual update for this tests. Let Avast update itself whenever it is ready.

Second, the "key" of the above instructions is not to uninstall and reinstall. The "key" is the removal utility for Avast, running it from Windows Safe Mode.

Even after the removal utility, you may search for "avast" and "alwil" and delete any folder with such name (unless you have created such folder for your personal needs).
Title: Re: avast 6 free definition update no longer updates.
Post by: Gargamel360 on November 28, 2011, 12:24:15 AM
Another option might be to Open Avast!>>Settings>>Updates, then under Proxy Settings, tick the option "direct connection, no proxy".  Then reboot and try again.
Title: Re: avast 6 free definition update no longer updates.
Post by: ady4um on November 28, 2011, 04:30:33 AM
Another option might be to Open Avast!>>Settings>>Updates, then under Proxy Settings, tick the option "direct connection, no proxy".  Then reboot and try again.

Sure, and there are more possibilities.

The OP says this has just started, and that previously it was working correctly, so I didn't think about changing current settings. In fact, almost each setting in the "updates" settings tab can change his current situation.

Re-creating Firewall rules (if any) might be also a possibility to solve this issue.
Title: Re: avast 6 free definition update no longer updates.
Post by: toppy on November 29, 2011, 03:04:55 PM
hi guys,
have tried the removal utility suggestion and the changing the proxy settings to direct connection(no proxy).nothing works.do you have any other ideas?thanks.
Title: Re: avast 6 free definition update no longer updates.
Post by: ady4um on November 29, 2011, 04:53:50 PM
Other security tools, either currently installed or that were installed in the past?

Firewall?

Can you use your web browser normally?

Is Avast Service active (task manager -> services tab -> avast -> status column)?

After reboot, wait 10 minutes, open avast main GUI -> maintenance -> update. What error messages do you see? When was the latest attempt shown (in relation to the last reboot time)?
Title: Re: avast 6 free definition update no longer updates.
Post by: toppy on November 29, 2011, 06:30:06 PM
hi,
i looked at my firewall settings,inbound rules,there's 4 entries for avast.2 private,2 domain.
they are all enabled and allowed.
today i saw that both my definitions AND program need updating.
have tried to update the program to the new version,but the same thing happens,it starts to download but when it gets to the vps_32-64f-64e.vpx file the connection gets terminated,it retries a few times.then i get an error message.the last one was:
last encountered error:cannot connect to download754.avast.com (208.43.153.3:80)
total time: 32:33
Title: Re: avast 6 free definition update no longer updates.
Post by: ady4um on November 29, 2011, 08:00:27 PM
Although it is still not clear to me which firewall you are using, please follow the following:

Avast main GUI -> troubleshooting -> "load avast service only after other system services". Save that setting.

Now go to your firewall and delete all the rules (inbound, outbound, all network connections) that are somehow related to Avast and to your web browsers.

Then reboot. Don't force the updates. Wait at least 10 minutes after the reboot. If your firewall asks, let Avast connect. Only then open Avast main GUI -> maintenance -> update. Do not try to manually update yet. Post here the results shown in that tab.

In addition, check your firewall logs AFTER the above instructions are completely followed.
Title: Re: avast 6 free definition update no longer updates.
Post by: toppy on November 30, 2011, 01:18:04 AM
hi,sorry forgot to say that i can still browse the web as normal,and the firewall is the one that came with my windows 7.
i ticked the load avast after other services box,rebooted,and after about 40 minutes a red pop up appeared saying update failed.so i opened the avast update and as before it started to download but stopped when it got to the vps_32-64f-64e.vpx file.connection terminated,retrying
...it tries about 6 or 7 times then says last encountered error:cannot connect to download,similar to the last one.
my firewall didn't ask to allow avast to connect.i eventually found logging setting under the monitoring part of my firewall interface,but when i clicked on the link next to it a pop up appeared saying it couldn't find the path.
i've also tried updating the program again but i got the same thing as when i try updating the definitions.
i don't know how to post what it says on the update page.all i can tell you is that both my definitions and program are out of date. 
Title: Re: avast 6 free definition update no longer updates.
Post by: ady4um on November 30, 2011, 03:03:04 AM
Please review the firewall rules. DELETE them. YES, those rules of the firewall that comes with Windows Seven. DELETE them. Do you have more than one network connection? Delete the firewall rules for all network connections.

Then reboot and see if it autoupdates itself.

Review Avast main GUI -> settings -> updates -> "Direct connection (no proxy). While you are there, select the checkbox that says "I am permanently connected to Internet". Then Reboot.

Review again Avast main GUI -> Maintenance -> update and see if there are any errors and when was the last attempt to update. Do NOT force the updates.

Doesn't work? Try to download the complete VPS http://www.avast.com/download-update (http://www.avast.com/download-update). Run it and REBOOT (do not try to continue using the system after running the VPS. I need to reboot so the info is really updated correctly in the GUI).

Please report back.
Title: Re: avast 6 free definition update no longer updates.
Post by: sartorius on November 30, 2011, 03:50:33 AM
Hi,

I am following this thread with great interest, since I am experiencing the same issue. I noticed that it all started after I updated Avast! to version 6.0.1367.

Because I have other security programs running on my PC, I wanted to know if any of them was possibly interfering with Avast!  Here is what I did, just in case this would help in the "investigation"...

1.  I shut down Comodo Firewall.
2.  I tried to update Avast! manually: it failed to update (the same way as before shutting down Comodo)
3.  I turned back on Comodo Firewall
4.  I shut down Webroot SecureAnywhere.
5.  I tried to update Avast! manually again: same result (update unsuccessful).
6.  Turned on Webroot SecureAnywhere, of course...

So, all that to say that I am not sure this issue is related to other security softwares...


p.s.:  My OS is Windows 7 Pro x64 SP1

Title: Re: avast 6 free definition update no longer updates.
Post by: CraigB on November 30, 2011, 03:56:28 AM
Hi,

I am following this thread with great interest, since I am experiencing the same issue. I noticed that it all started after I updated Avast! to version 6.0.1367.

Because I have other security programs running on my PC, I wanted to know if any of them was possibly interfering with Avast!  Here is what I did, just in case this would help in the "investigation"...

1.  I shut down Comodo Firewall.
2.  I tried to update Avast! manually: it failed to update (the same way as before shutting down Comodo)
3.  I turned back on Comodo Firewall
4.  I shut down Webroot SecureAnywhere.
5.  I tried to update Avast! manually again: same result (update unsuccessful).
6.  Turned on Webroot SecureAnywhere, of course...

So, all that to say that I am not sure this issue is related to other security softwares...


p.s.:  My OS is Windows 7 Pro x64 SP1


What virus def's are you on ? you might have the latest already, if not up to date then you should delet the rules for avast in your firewall and reset them.
Title: Re: avast 6 free definition update no longer updates.
Post by: sartorius on November 30, 2011, 04:40:02 AM
What virus def's are you on ? you might have the latest already, if not up to date then you should delet the rules for avast in your firewall and reset them.

My virus definition version is: 111128-2 (the current being 111129-2).

I am rather new with Comodo Firewall, I don't know yet how to delete the rules for Avast!... and I wouldn't want to screw things up! :)

So, tell me if I am wrong: If I shut down Comodo Firewall, I would assume that none of its set rules are being applied.  Therefore, if the updating issue with Avast! persists while Comodo is still shut down, I would assume that Comodo has nothing to do with it. What do you think?

p.s.: Is there any way we can send logs to the developers so they can find - or rule out - any possible bug with the last release of Avast!?  Thanks.
Title: Re: avast 6 free definition update no longer updates.
Post by: CraigB on November 30, 2011, 05:27:36 AM
What virus def's are you on ? you might have the latest already, if not up to date then you should delet the rules for avast in your firewall and reset them.

My virus definition version is: 111128-2 (the current being 111129-2).

I am rather new with Comodo Firewall, I don't know yet how to delete the rules for Avast!... and I wouldn't want to screw things up! :)

So, tell me if I am wrong: If I shut down Comodo Firewall, I would assume that none of its set rules are being applied.  Therefore, if the updating issue with Avast! persists while Comodo is still shut down, I would assume that Comodo has nothing to do with it. What do you think?

p.s.: Is there any way we can send logs to the developers so they can find - or rule out - any possible bug with the last release of Avast!?  Thanks.
Delet everything that is avast in the comodo applications list and reboot which will force comodo to ask/set permissions again for avast which need to be set to allow all.
Title: Re: avast 6 free definition update no longer updates.
Post by: sartorius on November 30, 2011, 02:58:38 PM
I did what you suggested: I deleted all the entries I could find in Comodo Firewall (including Defense+)that were related to Avast. I then rebooted my PC... and no, it didn't solve the problem.  I am still getting a popup from Avast saying that the last attempt to update the definitions was unsuccessfull. In that same popup, it prompts the user to "update now", which I did...  again without success.

However, here is something interesting: Using Rollback RX, I rolled back to the snapshot I took prior to updating Avast from v. 6.0.1289 to v. 6.0.1397. Guess what... Avast had no problem to update the virus definitions! So, it seems obvious to me that something went wrong when updating to version 6.0.1397 (whether it's a bug in this version or something else I can't figure).
Title: Re: avast 6 free definition update no longer updates.
Post by: toppy on November 30, 2011, 04:14:52 PM
hi ady4um,
when i turned on my laptop today and checked the avast gui i noticed that the program had updated to the new 6.0.1367 version,but my definitions were still out of date(111109.0).
being a newbie i was apprehensive about deleting all my firewall rules as you suggested,especially as the avast rules i deleted on your previous suggestion don't seem to have been auto-updated by my firewall.
i did the other things you suggested,but after downloading and running the vps update i got a popup message saying my vps were already up to date.so i rebooted and looked at the avast gui,but it still says virus definition version 111109.9-update.
Title: Re: avast 6 free definition update no longer updates.
Post by: ady4um on November 30, 2011, 06:13:40 PM
@toppy,

About the firewall rules, when you delete the rules they are re-created again when the specific program wants to connect.

In some situations, when a program is updated (like Avast just was recently updated to a new stable version), the firewall is not 100% that the "old" program is the same as the new. So the firewall denyes the connection.

By deleting the rules (if the firewall is configured correctly, then) it should ask you again for permission when Avast tries to update.

For some reason (and I can think of several), your definitions date is currently not "in sync".

My suggestion would be  to delete the firewall rules, reboot, wait for about 10 minutes after the reboot and review the information (Avast main GUI -> maintenance -> update). Please review the info there, but don't force the update.

There are additional steps possible, if that is not enough. Please report back.
Title: Re: avast 6 free definition update no longer updates.
Post by: toppy on December 01, 2011, 12:00:58 AM
hi ady4um,
did what you suggested with the rules and reviewing the update page etc.
still get the same as before.definitions need updating.
i don't understand how it can update the program version but not the definitions.????
i also don't understand what you meant by definitions date not being in sync.?????
getting really frustrated and fed up,but i appreciate the help you've offered.
 
Title: Re: avast 6 free definition update no longer updates.
Post by: ady4um on December 01, 2011, 12:15:07 AM
What I meant with the "sync" was that you mentioned before that you correctly applied a full VPS update, but Avast kept informing it was not updated in the main GUI (showing a different definitions' date than what was already applied).

Some other users reported problems with the normal updates, and a couple reported recent problems with the full VPS.

I don't know if these other reports have any connection with your case (and I am not implying in any way they are).

If I think about something else / additional, I'll come back to suggest it. Maybe someone else has some idea.
Title: Re: avast 6 free definition update no longer updates.
Post by: toppy on December 01, 2011, 02:28:11 AM
thanks mate,
i have also submitted a ticket to the avast team.they told me to download the hijackthis software,run it,and send them the log,aswell as the avast setup log.but the only suggestions i've got off them so far is to change the proxy setting to direct connection and disable my iobit software(advanced systemcare 4).
neither of those worked.
i will let you know if they come up with a fix.thanks again for your input.
Title: Re: avast 6 free definition update no longer updates.
Post by: ady4um on December 01, 2011, 03:54:42 AM
Probably the following comment has nothing to do with your problem, but several frequent forum members here would suggest to get rid of IO bit's tools.

To be clear, I don't use them and I personally have no opinion at all. I'm just telling you what several other users here would suggest, independently of your current problem.

Please do NOT get this as a personal *recommendation* from my part, as I don't have any experience of their tools. Certainly this comment has no relation to Avast Software in ANY way, as I am just a simple user as you are.

Possibly, you may want to solve this avast not updating issue first, before getting into an additional "project" (of changing things in your system).
Title: Re: avast 6 free definition update no longer updates.
Post by: CraigB on December 01, 2011, 05:22:37 AM
toppy the ASC ( iobit ) should be removed as i believe it contains realtime monitoring for Malware and even if disabled there will still be active low level drivers running, there is also the issue of them being a corrupt company so anything from this mob would not even be given a second thought about being installed on my system.
After uninstalling from remove programs and a reboot you will need to run this tool to clear out the leftovers http://www.t-tools.nl/CCount/click.php?id=35
Title: Re: avast 6 free definition update no longer updates.
Post by: toppy on December 01, 2011, 03:19:15 PM
hi guys,
yeah,did the iobit removal,tried the avast uninstall utlilty/reinstall avast software ady4um
suggested a few messages ago and everything is back to normal and up to date. :)thanks again for all your help.
Title: Re: avast 6 free definition update no longer updates.
Post by: CraigB on December 01, 2011, 04:34:01 PM
hi guys,
yeah,did the iobit removal,tried the avast uninstall utlilty/reinstall avast software ady4um
suggested a few messages ago and everything is back to normal and up to date. :)thanks again for all your help.
I didn't have much input to give in this thread but im glad your all up and working fine again and gotton rid of iobit  ;)