update problems

[2007i]

lately the automatic update pops a red window saying:

Information about current update:
Last encountered error: Cannot connect to download48.avast.com (unknown:80).

Total time: 3:42

doing the update manually it works fine!

what's the problem?

[DavidR]

How do you connect to the internet, dial-up, broadband ?
When does this error occur, shortly after boot, when ?

[2007i]

How do you connect to the internet, dial-up, broadband ?
When does this error occur, shortly after boot, when ?

broadband connection and, yes, shortly after boot up to desktop

[DavidR]

You can edit the C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\Data\avast4.ini file to delay the check to allow more time for your connection to get established.

add the line AlwaysConnectedWaitSeconds=60 to the [InetWD] section, the delay is in seconds you could put it at 90 or 120, but try 60 first and increase if required.

[InetWD]
AlwaysConnectedWaitSeconds=60

[2007i]

Hmm, maybe the problem is fixed now? - I had another problem with Win update and the source of this problem was a blocked svchost.exe process in the firewall.

After deleting this rule Win update is fine again and maybe for Avast as well? - I'll see after the next reboot

[DavidR]

Windows update can at times, around patch Tuesday get in the way of any other program trying to update, but delaying the check for a short time usually helps and can't hurt.

[2007i]

Ok, done!

[Hottie_Biscottie]

Hi,
I read that “Avast Virus Cleaner” is a standalone (free downloadable) version and yet it is also integrated (built into) Avast. Does this mean it is built into Avast! 4 Home Edition or does it mean it is built into the payable version (Avast! 4 Home Professional)? I don't know how to tell if Avast Virus Cleaner is integrated with the free Avast version (Home Edition). Because if its not then I want to download it now. But if it is there, then I don't want to download something I already have (taking up more memory space).

Also, in “about Avast” where the registration key code is, it says: updates expire June 2008. Thats 3 months after I inserted the key code registration. Above that it says: expiration never. My question is, when the updates expire, wouldn't it mean that it won't be worth using the Avast Anti-Virus anymore? Isn't updates extremely important?

[oldman]

Hi,
I read that “Avast Virus Cleaner” is a standalone (free downloadable) version and yet it is also integrated (built into) Avast. Does this mean it is built into Avast! 4 Home Edition or does it mean it is built into the payable version (Avast! 4 Home Professional)? I don't know how to tell if Avast Virus Cleaner is integrated with the free Avast version (Home Edition).

It would appear to be in the pro version. From the help files

"Starting avast! Virus Cleaner

From the Enhanced User Interface, select File ® Start avast! Virus Cleaner.
From the "A Virus Was Found" window, using the button "Completely remove the virus from the system".
Run the stand-alone application downloaded from the ALWIL Software pages. In this case, make sure you have disabled any resident antivirus protection before starting the tool! "

Also, in “about Avast” where the registration key code is, it says: updates expire June 2008. Thats 3 months after I inserted the key code registration. Above that it says: expiration never. My question is, when the updates expire, wouldn't it mean that it won't be worth using the Avast Anti-Virus anymore? Isn't updates extremely important?

Actually, that's 15 months from now. The " never" is the program itself. Once your key expires, just reregister.

[DavidR]

Hi,
I read that “Avast Virus Cleaner” is a standalone (free downloadable) version and yet it is also integrated (built into) Avast. Does this mean it is built into Avast! 4 Home Edition or does it mean it is built into the payable version (Avast! 4 Home Professional)? I don't know how to tell if Avast Virus Cleaner is integrated with the free Avast version (Home Edition). Because if its not then I want to download it now. But if it is there, then I don't want to download something I already have (taking up more memory space).

The avast cleaner is a specialised tool and only for a limited number of worm and virus infections, effectively to clean up after them, it isn't a general purpose Anti-Virus like avast home/pro. The page where it can be downloaded lists those particular worm/virus infections it cleans. It is incorporated in the avast program and one of the worms/viruses that it cleans is detected I believe avast runs it internally.

[troglodite]

I use dial up and have been having the same problem with updating in the last week or so.  I can see that the program is trying to contact the server, but it can't.  Sometime after I disconnect the red widow comes up telling me that the update didn't happen.   I did a complete uninstall and reinstall yesterday and the same thing happened today.  Manual update does work. I'm at a loss to explain it as it has worked perfectly for years.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Trolodite

[oldman]

If you are using a firewall, ensure  that avast.setup has access.

[DavidR]

I use dial up and have been having the same problem with updating in the last week or so.  I can see that the program is trying to contact the server, but it can't.  Sometime after I disconnect the red widow comes up telling me that the update didn't happen.   I did a complete uninstall and reinstall yesterday and the same thing happened today.  Manual update does work. I'm at a loss to explain it as it has worked perfectly for years.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Trolodite

Once the avast update starts, having checked you had established a connection it will start trying to update, if you disconnect before the update completes, it will keep cycling through the update servers in the servers.def file (about 100 and failing because there no longer is a connection) until it finally gets through the list and displays the error, this might take a few minutes.

It isn't anything to worry about, just be aware that if you are on line for a very short time avast may be checking for updates, you may get the error message, I occasionally get it.

You can extend the delay for dial-up in the same way as I mentioned before, with slight modification.

You can edit the C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\Data\avast4.ini file to delay the check to allow more time for your connection to get established.

add the line RASWaitSeconds=120 to the [InetWD] section, the delay is in seconds you could put it at 180, but try 120 first and increase if required. This will allow you to hop on-line pick-up email and go off-line and avast won't have checked for updates.

[InetWD]
RASWaitSeconds=120

[troglodite]

Unfortunately it happens no matter how long I am on line.  The firewall is not the problem as it has always worked fine.  This is a new thing. I get the same message as in the first post. 

[Bluesman]

I use dial up and have been having the same problem with updating in the last week or so.  I can see that the program is trying to contact the server, but it can't.  Sometime after I disconnect the red widow comes up telling me that the update didn't happen.   I did a complete uninstall and reinstall yesterday and the same thing happened today.  Manual update does work. I'm at a loss to explain it as it has worked perfectly for years.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.

I also had the same problem before, but I just deleted my "avast.setup" entry in my firewall (Comodo Firewall Pro), and then I did an manual update, and I got a popup from comodo about avast.setup , I allowed it, and after that, my automatic updates work just fine.