Long updating time XP SP3

[alicia.rose]

No, I haven't schmidthouse.

Would like to know if Avast Team have changed anything first.

I was thinking of doing this or a repair.

Can I have a link to download the version I have please - avast! free 18.5.2342?

[schmidthouse]

No, I haven't schmidthouse.

Would like to know if Avast Team have changed anything first.

I was thinking of doing this or a repair.

Can I have a link to download the version I have please - avast! free 18.5.2342?

You can Google: Avast Free V. 18.5.2342 Download

[alicia.rose]

I manually updated again today - when it started I saw 2 'DNS resolving' notices that quickly passed.

?

I cleared DNS cache not that long ago using the command: ipconfig /flushdns

Thank you for helping schmidthouse.

[schmidthouse]

You're welcome.

[DavidR]

Curious,Have you tried a Clean Install of your Avast Installation?

A clean install or possibly even an avast repair could have ramifications when the OP is using XP and isn't using the latest avast 18.8.xxxx version for XP SP3 but 18.5.xxxx.   

Unless alicia.rose has a copy saved of 18.8.2342 (which doesn't appear to be the case) some of the download locations are likely to just use the stub installer and alicia.rose could end up with 18.8.

I manually updated again today - when it started I saw 2 'DNS resolving' notices that quickly passed.
?
<snip>

Does this mean that you are OK or just that the notices quickly passed ?

What firewall are you using ?

[alicia.rose]

Good point DavidR, that has happened to me before - I ended up with the latest version instead of the one I wanted.

I believe I have a copy of 18.5 amongst others - would have to search.

I'd rather not re-install - might not correct the issue, but no other option at present.

"Does this mean that you are OK or just that the notices quickly passed ?"

The notices quickly passed and updating began. Was looking to see if there were any error notices.

"DNS resolving' is what I saw.

"What firewall are you using ?"

Windows - no other security except CryptoPrevent.

[alicia.rose]

After my last manual update today I set it to 'automatic update'.

I just checked - now showing as 'Connection established' - updated 21.37.

I didn't see instup.exe, which I normally do with manual updates?

Please see my post above too.

[DavidR]

1.  Hopefully clearing the DNS cache will have helped. 
Avast uses a lot of servers to provide updates, there is a list in your C:\Program Files\AVAST Software\Avast\setup\servers.def this file can be viewed using notepad and you can get an idea how many there are.  So resolving the DNS could mean a server is busy and another in the servers.def file is tried.

2.  The Windows firewall in XP provides inbound protection only, not outbound protection, so that shouldn't have been the problem.

3.  Setting it to Automatic, could well see things improve over all, however doing the odd manual update shouldn't take long if your current VPS version is pretty recent.

4.  I rarely see the instup.exe (it shouldn't be there long), mainly as I only open the task manager to troubleshoot.  I just did a manual update and the total time taken was 17 seconds (of which 1 sec was the download).  I do however have a relatively quick internet connection.

[alicia.rose]

You're very kind to take the time to help me DavidR.

Your 'Current version' shows as 190714-4...........

Mine is still showing as 190714-2

It's still set to automatic, why is mine behind yours?

Updates are coming in regularly - latest one 2 minutes ago.

instup.exe was showing in Task Manager the whole 5 hours yesterday during the manual update.

[DavidR]

Possibly because I had just done a manual update before posting, more to give you an ideal of how long (or short) my updates are. 

The Virus Definition Auto Update default time is every 240 minutes, that could make a difference.
You should see multiple different sub-folders for the Streaming updates as they build up until you get your next VPS update.  This ensures that you effectively have the latest virus definitions even though at that time you may not have the latest VPS version.  When you get the latest VPS Update that would include these streaming updates the old ones would be removed.

You are seeing the streaming and they are normally every two to three minutes, see attached image for some of the streaming updates I have had in the last hour.

The instup.exe will be present during installation/update as it is that which downloads and installs them it would only go when the installation/update is complete.

[alicia.rose]

Thank you for explaining.

I haven't seen instup.exe yet, perhaps I have missed it - I keep Task Manager open all the time?

The streaming updates are not effecting the performance of my computer while I browse the internet, I expect the installation of the latest VPS version will.

In the past I had problems with automatic update and had to turn it off.

Still on 190714-2 ? 

Let's see what happens............

Don't know if manual update is still a problem.

[DavidR]

You're welcome.

[alicia.rose]

The 'Current version' this morning is still showing as 190714-2 - it's not changed. Been a day now - doesn't seem right.

Streaming updates appear to be normal.

[DavidR]

I just checked the About Avast and this shows Virus Definitions of 190715-0 (0 being the first one of the day).

I'm at a loss as to why yours is acting differently.

[alicia.rose]

Thanks for that information, DavidR.

Still no change - set to 'Automatic update', but 'Current version' has not updated.

I'll have to uninstall Avast later through Add/Remove programs.