Avast Update takes forever

[LOADER]

I started running the Avast update and it’s been running about 19 hours and only 5% done.
Dell Dimension 4100, 800MZ, 384MB ram.
Windows 98SE.
US Robotics modem 56K (usually runs at 16-24K speed)
AOL dial up service and Email.
Other programs: Adaware, Spybot S&D, Norton Systemworks, Spywareblaster, CCleaner.

I currently have Avast Home version 4.7.892 with vpu definitions 0702-1 from 1-11-07.

My Avast updates usually take 30 seconds to 3 minutes. I right click the blue A at the bottom right and click Updating, Program Update. Around 1-12-07 or 1-13-07 I tried updating and it ran for about 20-30 minutes and appeared to lock up and stop at only 3% done so I quit. I made numerous other tries on other days with the same results.

On 1-21-07 around 8am EST U.S. I began another update try and right now it is still running (about 19 hours) and only 5% done (81,031 out of 1,529,362 bytes complete). I do see now that it is not locked up, but creeping along very slowly.
One of the files that is downloading now is setup_av_pro-3ae-3aa.vpu 
At this rate it would take about 10 days to complete.
I don’t even know what version is being downloaded.

I went to the Avast home page and downloaded a new copy of Avast. It did not say what version it was other than 4.7 (12.7MB). It only took about an hour to download.
I checked the file properties and it said it was file version 1,1,0,0

According to the Revisions page there are versions available such as:
9-25-06   4.7.892
1-12-07   4.7.936
1-14-07   4.7.938
1-15-07   4.7.942

My question is would I be better off quitting my update that is currently downloading and just download the Avast uninstaller, uninstall the old Avast and install the new one that I just got? I don’t know what version the new one is because it is not marked. If it is 4.7.942 would it have all of the updates that I am currently trying to download or would I still have to update it and risk that it would take a long time?
If you recommend that I continue downloading the update that is now in progress, is there any way to speed it up? I don’t understand how it used to be a 1-minute update and now it is 10 days.

[igor]

Strange... it shouldn't be so slow.
Anyway, if you have already downloaded the full installer, I'd suggest to interrupt the online update (if it's still running), maybe restart the computer (just for sure) and then start the full installer. It will detect the existing installation and offers you to update it to the current version (if you downloaded the installer yesterday, it's certainly 4.7.942).

[LOADER]

Thanks, igor. I think that will be my best bet.
I just noticed something else. I opened up Internet Explorer to visit a web site and it seemed to operate at normal speed. What I mean is that usually if a download is taking place, then web surfing slows down a bit. But it doesn't seem to be affected by the Avast download which is still going. I'm not a computer expert by any stretch of the imagination but that makes me wonder if there is something wrong with the Avast computer and that it is only sending/uploading at a low rate.

[auldyin]

I use Onspeed to speedup my slow (28k) connection. The latest Avast program update kept getting "connection terminated" then "retrying" when only part of the update had downloaded until I turned off Onspeed which should not affect downloads.  The update then continued successfully.  It wasn`t cutting me off the internet, just to the Avast site.
I hope this helps.

Auldyin

[DavidR]

Does OnSpeed uses a proxy to achieve this increase in speed, I believe it does ?
Have you entered that in the Update (Connections), Proxy... if onspeed does use a proxy.

[alanrf]

Just a comment that I have received a report that one of the folks I support who is also on dial-up is having difficulties getting the update - an issue not encountered before.  It seems it is some form of cannot get to the server.  I was guessing that there may be some level of server overload.

I have asked him to just wait a while before trying again.

[DavidR]

I haven't seen any change in my getting VPS updates on dial-up, my only issue was a period if intermittent forum slowdown, unrelated to the update servers.

[alanrf]

Interesting point, he did not report any issues with avast starting up and checking for/receiving VPS updates, this was just the program update.  Of course, I rather suspect that we on the left coast of the US are using different servers from folks in the UK.

[chocholo]

...
 Of course, I rather suspect that we on the left coast of the US are using different servers from folks in the UK.

All users are using same update servers (located in USA).

[auldyin]

Thanks DavidR.  Onspeed does use a proxy.  I will try altering the settings in Update Connections.  This will save me trying to remember to turn off Onspeed next time there is a program update - Onspeed has no trouble with iAVS updates.
The new program update is working fine as usual.

Auldyin

[DavidR]

Your welcome, let us know if it makes a difference.

[LOADER]

igor,
I terminated my download (in progress (see below)) of the Avast program updater and followed your advice and installed the edition of Avast Home, which I had earlier downloaded from the Home page. You were correct in that it is the 4.7.942 version. I installed it right over the old version and it worked like a charm; no problems. The new version came with  vps #000703-1 which was older than what I had before so I just logged onto the internet and ran the Avast (program) updater and I now have vps#000705-0. The vps update was 43,822 (bytes, I guess) with download time 17s and total time 50s. Amazingly fast! Thanks for the good advice and the huge amount of time you saved me.


auldyin,
Thanks for the recommendation of Onspeed. I took a look at their website and may sign up for that.


NOTE:   If anyone is interested, here are the statistics.
I started my Avast updater on 1-21-07 8:00am (EST) U.S.
I gave up and terminated my connection on 1-23-07 2:42am.
Total time wasted: 42 hours, 42 minutes.
Current file being downloaded from package was: av_pro_core-35c-332.vpu
Status of current file: 9% complete.
Total of package downloaded:  787,263 out of 1,529,362 bytes complete.
Percent of package downloaded: 51%

[Lisandro]

Total time wasted: 42 hours, 42 minutes.

Unacceptable... Indeed 20 seconds is what a vps update must take...