Why can't I download anything from Avast?

[jrbach]

I was only able to get the avast32 home install file through Cnet, thanks to a link from DavidR. I still can not download anything from Avast...
I've tried for 4 days now and every attempt fails...
I'm trying to get the documentation pdf manual and the removal tool (aswClear.exe). I need these other two files before I would feel comfortable installing Avast antivirus.

I have tried downloading, but have been unsuccessful from two differnet computers...both have SBC Yahoo DSL. I have no problem downloading from anywhere else. Who do I need to contact...what more can I do? Thanks

[Lisandro]

JrBach, it's strange... this is the first time in three years I'm here that I'm experiencing the same...
I can't download anything from http://files.avast.com
For instance, the Cleaner: http://files.avast.com/files/eng/aswclnr.exe
The updates: http://files.avast.com/iavs4pro/vpsupd.exe

Nothing!
What's going on?

[jrbach]

Thanks...I thought it was just me. 

Considering it was on two completely different systems (each at a different location), it would still make no sense at all unless it were just a DNS problem with SBC Yahoo DSL (and for 4 days now). Who at Avast can best check into this...or possibly host those files elsewhere for the time being?

[alanrf]

Downloaded without any problems for me.

Maybe another try is worthwhile?

[jrbach]

Tried again...Still doesn't work...
It may work for YOU, but this kind of help is not really help 

What would help is what I asked for:
1) Who do I need to contact at Avast to check into this...
2) Who can possibly host those files elsewhere for the time being?

Thanks

[Lisandro]

1) Who do I need to contact at Avast to check into this...

I've asked them to check the website.
Maybe Kubecj maybe Pavel Baudis.
You can send an IM for them too.

2) Who can possibly host those files elsewhere for the time being?

Only they could answer.

P.S. I can't reach the download site too. It's not a single problem for a single user.

Mon Oct 03 21:56:23 2005 GET http://files.avast.com/files/eng/aswclnr.exe HTTP/1.1
Mon Oct 03 21:56:23 2005 Host: files.avast.com
Mon Oct 03 21:56:23 2005 Accept: */*
Mon Oct 03 21:56:23 2005 Referer: http://files.avast.com/files/eng
Mon Oct 03 21:56:23 2005 User-Agent: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 5.00; Windows 98)
Mon Oct 03 21:56:23 2005 Pragma: no-cache
Mon Oct 03 21:56:23 2005 Cache-Control: no-cache
Mon Oct 03 21:56:23 2005 Connection: close
Mon Oct 03 21:56:24 2005 HTTP/1.1 504 Gateway Timeout
Mon Oct 03 21:56:24 2005 Date: Tue, 04 Oct 2005 00:56:25 GMT
Mon Oct 03 21:56:24 2005 Content-Length: 282
Mon Oct 03 21:56:24 2005 Content-Type: text/html
Mon Oct 03 21:56:24 2005 Server: NetCache appliance (NetApp/5.5R6D44)
Mon Oct 03 21:56:24 2005 Connection: close
Mon Oct 03 21:56:24 2005 Error occured!

Does Gateway Timeout sound anything here?

[kubecj]

This sounds you either have some proxy or your provider started to use transparent http proxy - if the latter is true, can you please sent this problem to your ISP support and paste us here their position on this? I'm pretty confident all our systems go...

[thedon57]

Thanks...I thought it was just me. 

Considering it was on two completely different systems (each at a different location), it would still make no sense at all unless it were just a DNS problem with SBC Yahoo DSL (and for 4 days now). Who at Avast can best check into this...or possibly host those files elsewhere for the time being?

Hi I had the same trouble it is something to do with SBC yahoo DSL so I rolled back with systems restore which gave me normal yahoo and updates and connections back on track.

Hopefully will work for you.

[kubecj]

Guys, I think I've figured that out. We'll see in about an hour if the problem gets resolved or not (I believe it should be resolved).

nslookup -timeout=20 files.avast.com

should now return 24 records on all systems everywhere (also on those behind misconfigured dns servers).

[Lisandro]

Kubecj, everything is working now.
But I'm sure that it was NOT a problem with my local proxy filter.
I was able to do everything except download from avast! site 

[kubecj]

Kubecj, everything is working now.
But I'm sure that it was NOT a problem with my local proxy filter.
I was able to do everything except download from avast! site 

I don't think it was local. Probably the problem was with your ISP's transparent proxy (NetCache appliance (NetApp/5.5R6D44)).

The problem is that the record for files.avast.com was longer than 512 bytes (max. length of UDP packet). In such case DNS server should use TCP connection, but it seems that some servers don't do it and timeout (stupid, IMO). I've shortened the record to be under 512 bytes, so now it should work also with stupidest software 

[jrbach]

Thanks a lot...you are all very kind and helpful here.
Cheers