Update error

[ric m]

A red message window appears that says, "An error has occurred while attempting to update! Click here for more information".

When I click on the message, it disappears. Any suggestions?

[DavidR]

What is your firewall ?
Does it allow avast.setup internet access ?
- If it does delete the entry for it and do a manual update (right click the avast 'a' icon, Updating, iAVS Update), this will force the firewall to ask permission again.

[Lisandro]

Basically, check the log files (or post the last 200 lines of the logs):
C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\DATA\log\Setup.log
or C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\Setup\setup.log

Also check:

1) If your subscription allows the update right now (i.e., if it is not expired). Home (free) version need registering each 14 months.
    I hope you haven't bought a license from a site on this list: http://www.avast.com/eng/fraudulent-sales-of-avast-products.html

Also, bad jollyroger.vpu file could contain banned registration keys with error and then update fails because of an invalid key. See how to download a new jollyroger.vpu, http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=27185.msg222148#msg222148.

2) If your firewall settings and allow avast.setup to connect.
    If you're not sure, just turn off your firewall (to be sure the update failure is not due to it).
    Maybe you should 'remove' avast.setup entry, try to update, receiving a new alert from the firewall, allowing it and checking it to remember.

3)  Check your proxy settings into avast!:
     Left click the avast icon > Settings
     Update (Basic) > Details > Proxy
     Make sure your browser is not set to "Work Offline" (this option is generally in the File menu).
     If it doesn't help, try switching from "Auto-detect" to "No proxy" (I'm assuming you're not connecting to the Internet via proxy).
     You can run proxycfg -d in a DOS window to make your computer connect direct, without proxy. You can run proxycfg -h for help.

4) Also you can try changing update service's login account, follow this:
    Open services control panel (e.g. Start->Run, and type: services.msc
    Double-click on avast! iAVS4 Control Service to show properties. Switch to LogOn page.
    Enter administrator account name and password.
    Do the same for avast! Antivirus service.
    Then start update again.

5) The last option, check if the servers.def file is corrupt or 0KB (C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\Setup\servers.def).
    You can try and download the servers.def file, http://files.avast.com/iavs4x/servers.def and replace the one in the avast setup folder.

[snukes]

I am getting the same error message in a red box. It says click for more information, but when I do, the box disappears.

My system date is correct. My firewall allows Avast. I am not able to manually update.

I read this thread to see if I could fix it, but I am not very technically proficient, and so all the solutions listed sounded like rather difficult options. I thought I would just try uninstalling the program and then reinstalling it.

That's when I found new problems. When I attempt to Change/Remove program from the Add/Remove Programs window in my Control Panel, I get an error message that says, "Error loading C:PROGRA~1\ALWILS~1\Avast4\Setup\seiface.dll The specific module could not be found." and that's the end of trying that.  I know that just deleting the program files is asking for trouble, so I guess I'm ready to try one of your more complicated solutions, but I'm not sure if this problem with the .dll file changes anything.

Suggestions?

[DavidR]

You didn't say what that firewall is ?

You also didn't say if you had tried what I suggested about deleting the entry for avast.setup ?

Does it allow avast.setup internet access ?
- If it does delete the entry for it and do a manual update (right click the avast 'a' icon, Updating, iAVS Update), this will force the firewall to ask permission again.

Reinstalling the program is not only more complicated, it also won't work if it is your firewall that is blocking the update. Start by answering the firewall question (we might then be able to give more detailed help) and then check your firewall control interface or help file about program permissions/control.

[snukes]

It's just Windows Firewall. I've been running avast for over a year, and have never had any problems previously. I don't think I've done anything new to my computer that would have caused this either.

I'm not quite sure if my attempt to try your suggestion about deleting avast.setup is really what you meant. If I open Windows Firewall, there is a tab for "Exceptions." In that tab, it lists Avast Antivirus - the whole program, not just the setup file. I unchecked it as an exception, but nothing has changed. It has not given me a new alert (yes, it is set to give me alerts). Should I be doing something differently?

[Koterpillar]

Same. And here's my answers:
0) Vista x64, if that matters.
1) it does.
2) there is no firewall.
3) when i click on "Proxy", nothing happens!
4) i didn't try yet, because i ran the update as administrator, manually, and nothing happened, except the following in the log viewer:

Function setifaceUpdatePackages() has failed. Return code is 0x00000426, dwRes is 00000002.

Here are that last lines from .log:


18.08.2007   14:26:30.000   1187432790   package   ERROR:HttpGetWininet, catch returned 0x00002EE7
18.08.2007   14:26:30.000   1187432790   general   InvalidateCurrent: invalidated server 'Download20 AVAST server' from 'main'
18.08.2007   14:26:30.000   1187432790   general   SelectCurrent: selected server 'Download107 AVAST server' from 'main'
18.08.2007   14:26:30.000   1187432790   package   GetPackages - set proxy for inet
18.08.2007   14:26:30.000   1187432790   internet   SYNCER: Type: use IE settings
18.08.2007   14:26:30.000   1187432790   internet   SYNCER: Auth: another authentication, use WinInet
18.08.2007   14:26:32.000   1187432792   package   HttpGetWininet(http://download107.avast.com/iavs4x/servers.def.vpu)
18.08.2007   14:26:32.000   1187432792   package   Not using NTLM
18.08.2007   14:26:44.000   1187432804   package   ERROR:HttpGetWininet, catch returned 0x00002EE7
18.08.2007   14:26:44.000   1187432804   general   InvalidateCurrent: invalidated server 'Download107 AVAST server' from 'main'
18.08.2007   14:26:44.000   1187432804   general   SelectCurrent: selected server 'Download65 AVAST server' from 'main'
18.08.2007   14:26:44.000   1187432804   package   GetPackages - set proxy for inet
18.08.2007   14:26:44.000   1187432804   internet   SYNCER: Type: use IE settings
18.08.2007   14:26:44.000   1187432804   internet   SYNCER: Auth: another authentication, use WinInet
18.08.2007   14:26:46.000   1187432806   package   HttpGetWininet(http://download65.avast.com/iavs4x/servers.def.vpu)
18.08.2007   14:26:46.000   1187432806   package   Not using NTLM
18.08.2007   14:26:58.000   1187432818   package   ERROR:HttpGetWininet, catch returned 0x00002EE7
18.08.2007   14:26:58.000   1187432818   general   InvalidateCurrent: invalidated server 'Download65 AVAST server' from 'main'
18.08.2007   14:26:58.000   1187432818   general   SelectCurrent: selected server 'Download31 AVAST server' from 'main'
18.08.2007   14:26:58.000   1187432818   package   GetPackages - set proxy for inet
18.08.2007   14:26:58.000   1187432818   internet   SYNCER: Type: use IE settings
18.08.2007   14:26:58.000   1187432818   internet   SYNCER: Auth: another authentication, use WinInet
18.08.2007   14:27:00.000   1187432820   package   HttpGetWininet(http://download31.avast.com/iavs4x/servers.def.vpu)
18.08.2007   14:27:00.000   1187432820   package   Not using NTLM
18.08.2007   14:27:12.000   1187432832   package   ERROR:HttpGetWininet, catch returned 0x00002EE7
18.08.2007   14:27:12.000   1187432832   general   InvalidateCurrent: invalidated server 'Download31 AVAST server' from 'main'
18.08.2007   14:27:12.000   1187432832   general   SelectCurrent: selected server 'Download83 AVAST server' from 'main'
18.08.2007   14:27:12.000   1187432832   package   GetPackages - set proxy for inet
18.08.2007   14:27:12.000   1187432832   internet   SYNCER: Type: use IE settings
18.08.2007   14:27:12.000   1187432832   internet   SYNCER: Auth: another authentication, use WinInet
18.08.2007   14:27:14.000   1187432834   package   HttpGetWininet(http://download83.avast.com/iavs4x/servers.def.vpu)
18.08.2007   14:27:14.000   1187432834   package   Not using NTLM
18.08.2007   14:27:26.000   1187432846   package   ERROR:HttpGetWininet, catch returned 0x00002EE7
18.08.2007   14:27:26.000   1187432846   general   InvalidateCurrent: invalidated server 'Download83 AVAST server' from 'main'
18.08.2007   14:27:26.000   1187432846   general   SelectCurrent: selected server 'Download109 AVAST server' from 'main'
18.08.2007   14:27:26.000   1187432846   package   GetPackages - set proxy for inet
18.08.2007   14:27:26.000   1187432846   internet   SYNCER: Type: use IE settings
18.08.2007   14:27:26.000   1187432846   internet   SYNCER: Auth: another authentication, use WinInet
18.08.2007   14:27:28.000   1187432848   package   HttpGetWininet(http://download109.avast.com/iavs4x/servers.def.vpu)
18.08.2007   14:27:28.000   1187432848   package   Not using NTLM
18.08.2007   14:27:52.000   1187432872   package   ERROR:HttpGetWininet, catch returned 0x00002EE7
18.08.2007   14:27:52.000   1187432872   general   InvalidateCurrent: invalidated server 'Download109 AVAST server' from 'main'
18.08.2007   14:27:52.000   1187432872   general   SelectCurrent: unable to find any suitable server in 'main'
18.08.2007   14:27:52.000   1187432872   internet   tried 146 servers to get file 'servers.def.vpu', but failed (0x20000004)
18.08.2007   14:27:52.000   1187432872   file   GetNewerStampedFile:GetFileWithRetry failed: C:\Windows\TEMP\_av_proI.tm~a02640\onefile, servers.def.vpu, error: 0x20000004
18.08.2007   14:27:52.000   1187432872   package   Download servers.def, servers.def.vpu failed with error 0x20000004.
18.08.2007   14:27:52.000   1187432872   package   HttpGetWininet(http://download109.avast.com/iavs4x/servers.def.stamp)
18.08.2007   14:27:52.000   1187432872   package   Not using NTLM
18.08.2007   14:27:52.000   1187432872   package   ERROR:HttpGetWininet, catch returned 0x00002EE7
18.08.2007   14:27:52.000   1187432872   package   HttpGetWininet(http://download109.avast.com/iavs4x/servers.def)
18.08.2007   14:27:52.000   1187432872   package   Not using NTLM
18.08.2007   14:27:57.000   1187432877   package   ERROR:HttpGetWininet, catch returned 0x00002EE7
18.08.2007   14:27:57.000   1187432877   general   InvalidateCurrent: invalidated server 'Download109 AVAST server' from 'main'
18.08.2007   14:27:57.000   1187432877   general   SelectCurrent: unable to find any suitable server in 'main'
18.08.2007   14:27:57.000   1187432877   internet   tried 1 servers to get file 'servers.def', but failed (0x20000004)
18.08.2007   14:27:57.000   1187432877   file   GetNewerStampedFile:GetFileWithRetry failed: C:\Windows\TEMP\_av_proI.tm~a02640\onefile, servers.def, error: 0x20000004
18.08.2007   14:27:57.000   1187432877   package   Tried to download servers.def but failed with error 0x20000004.
18.08.2007   14:28:02.000   1187432882   general   Err:Cannot connect to download109.avast.com (unknown:80).
18.08.2007   14:28:02.000   1187432882   package   Transferred files: 0
18.08.2007   14:28:02.000   1187432882   package   Transferred bytes: 0
18.08.2007   14:28:02.000   1187432882   package   Transfer time: 0 ms
18.08.2007   14:28:02.000   1187432882   file   NeedReboot=false
18.08.2007   14:28:02.000   1187432882   general   Return code: 0x20000004 [Cannot connect to download109.avast.com (unknown:80).]
18.08.2007   14:28:02.000   1187432882   general   Stopped: 18.08.2007, 14:28:02

[DavidR]

It's just Windows Firewall. I've been running avast for over a year, and have never had any problems previously.
<snip>

Unfortunately the windows firewall (doesn't deserve the name) as it doesn't monitor outbound traffic.

So avast.setup wouldn't feature in the Exceptions of XP's firewall. I honestly don't know why they bother with an exceptions list as it seems only to relate to inbound connection.

To help provide security for your computer, Windows Firewall blocks unsolicited requests to connect to your computer. Because the firewall restricts communication between your computer and the Internet, you might need to adjust settings for some programs that prefer an open connection to the Internet. You can make an exception for these programs, so that they can communicate through the firewall.

So I'm at a bit of a loss as to why this is happening as the XP firewall shouldn't be blocking.

Try a manual update and record the full text of any error listed and report back.

You could also try posting the element of the setup logs mentioned by Tech.

[snukes]

Here's the latest bit of my log, if it's of any use. It looks exactly the same at 10:41 as it did at 7:30 this morning. I have tried manual updates several times with no apparent result. The red box pops up right away in the morning after I turn my computer on, and I see it randomly several other times during the day. I haven't seen it a second time yet today.

Is the date always off, or has it not actually done anything since 8/20? That might be about how long I've been seeing the red box error, but I'm not sure.

20.08.2007   11:49:56.000   1187632196   general   Started: 20.08.2007, 11:49:56
20.08.2007   11:49:56.000   1187632196   general   Running setup_av_pro-405 (1029)
20.08.2007   11:49:56.000   1187632196   system   Operating system: WindowsXP ver 5.1, build 2600, sp 2.0 [Service Pack 2]
20.08.2007   11:49:56.000   1187632196   system   Computer WinName: LAURA
20.08.2007   11:49:56.000   1187632196   system   Windows Net User: SYSTEM
20.08.2007   11:49:56.000   1187632196   general   Cmdline: /refresh /noreboot /updatevps /verysilent  /limitcpu 
20.08.2007   11:49:56.000   1187632196   general   Operation set to INST_OP_UPDATE_INSTALL_PACKAGES
20.08.2007   11:49:56.000   1187632196   general   Old version: 405 (1029)
20.08.2007   11:49:56.000   1187632196   general   SGW32P::CheckIfInstalled set m_bAlreadyInstalled to 1
20.08.2007   11:49:56.000   1187632196   internet   SYNCER: Type: use IE settings
20.08.2007   11:49:56.000   1187632196   internet   SYNCER: Auth: another authentication, use WinInet
20.08.2007   11:49:56.000   1187632196   package   Part prg_av_pro-405 is installed
20.08.2007   11:49:56.000   1187632196   package   Part vps-76702 is installed
20.08.2007   11:49:56.000   1187632196   package   Part news-4b is installed
20.08.2007   11:49:56.000   1187632196   package   Part setup_av_pro-405 is installed
20.08.2007   11:49:56.000   1187632196   package   Part jrog-11 is installed
20.08.2007   11:49:56.000   1187632196   general   Old version: 405 (1029)
20.08.2007   11:49:57.000   1187632197   file   SetExistingFilesBitmap: 1045->145->145
20.08.2007   11:49:57.000   1187632197   general   GUID: 37e6de48-141c-4ee0-ace9-8377dfa5dc28
20.08.2007   11:49:57.000   1187632197   general   Entering:UpdateInstallPackages
20.08.2007   11:49:57.000   1187632197   package   Load C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\Setup\prod-av_pro.vpu
20.08.2007   11:49:57.000   1187632197   package   LatestPartInfo: jrog = jrog-13
20.08.2007   11:49:57.000   1187632197   package   LatestPartInfo: news = news-4b
20.08.2007   11:49:57.000   1187632197   package   LatestPartInfo: program = prg_av_pro-405
20.08.2007   11:49:57.000   1187632197   package   LatestPartInfo: setup = setup_av_pro-405
20.08.2007   11:49:57.000   1187632197   package   LatestPartInfo: vps = vps-76702
20.08.2007   11:49:57.000   1187632197   package   FilterOutExistingFiles: 145 & 145 = 0
20.08.2007   11:49:57.000   1187632197   package   FilterOutExistingFiles: 145 & 145 = 0
20.08.2007   11:49:57.000   1187632197   package   ArePartsInstallable: 1
20.08.2007   11:50:18.000   1187632218   package   vps: updated [076702]
20.08.2007   11:50:18.000   1187632218   file   Fix security on: C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\*.*
20.08.2007   11:50:21.000   1187632221   file   Fix security on: C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ENGLISH\*.*
20.08.2007   11:50:21.000   1187632221   file   Fix security on: C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ENGLISH\HELP\*.*
20.08.2007   11:50:21.000   1187632221   file   Fix security on: C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ENGLISH\HtmlData\*.*
20.08.2007   11:50:21.000   1187632221   file   Fix security on: C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\images\*.*
20.08.2007   11:50:21.000   1187632221   package   Transferred files: 0
20.08.2007   11:50:21.000   1187632221   package   Transferred bytes: 0
20.08.2007   11:50:21.000   1187632221   package   Transfer time: 0 ms
20.08.2007   11:50:21.000   1187632221   file   NeedReboot=false
20.08.2007   11:50:21.000   1187632221   general   Return code: 0x20000000 [Something done]
20.08.2007   11:50:21.000   1187632221   general   Stopped: 20.08.2007, 11:50:21


20.08.2007   11:50:21.000   1187632221   general   Started: 20.08.2007, 11:50:21
20.08.2007   11:50:21.000   1187632221   general   Running setup_av_pro-405 (1029)
20.08.2007   11:50:21.000   1187632221   system   Operating system: WindowsXP ver 5.1, build 2600, sp 2.0 [Service Pack 2]
20.08.2007   11:50:21.000   1187632221   system   Computer WinName: LAURA
20.08.2007   11:50:21.000   1187632221   system   Windows Net User: SYSTEM
20.08.2007   11:50:21.000   1187632221   general   Cmdline: /stopstat /verysilent /noreboot 
20.08.2007   11:50:21.000   1187632221   general   Operation set to INST_OP_[16]
20.08.2007   11:50:21.000   1187632221   general   Old version: 405 (1029)
20.08.2007   11:50:21.000   1187632221   general   SGW32P::CheckIfInstalled set m_bAlreadyInstalled to 1
20.08.2007   11:50:21.000   1187632221   internet   SYNCER: Type: use IE settings
20.08.2007   11:50:21.000   1187632221   internet   SYNCER: Auth: another authentication, use WinInet
20.08.2007   11:50:21.000   1187632221   package   Part prg_av_pro-405 is installed
20.08.2007   11:50:21.000   1187632221   package   Part vps-76702 is installed
20.08.2007   11:50:21.000   1187632221   package   Part news-4b is installed
20.08.2007   11:50:21.000   1187632221   package   Part setup_av_pro-405 is installed
20.08.2007   11:50:21.000   1187632221   package   Part jrog-11 is installed
20.08.2007   11:50:21.000   1187632221   general   Old version: 405 (1029)
20.08.2007   11:50:21.000   1187632221   package   Transferred files: 0
20.08.2007   11:50:21.000   1187632221   package   Transferred bytes: 0
20.08.2007   11:50:21.000   1187632221   package   Transfer time: 0 ms
20.08.2007   11:50:21.000   1187632221   file   NeedReboot=false
20.08.2007   11:50:21.000   1187632221   general   Return code: 0x20000001 [Nothing done]
20.08.2007   11:50:21.000   1187632221   general   Stopped: 20.08.2007, 11:50:21


20.08.2007   15:52:34.000   1187646754   general   Started: 20.08.2007, 15:52:34
20.08.2007   15:52:34.000   1187646754   general   Running setup_av_pro-405 (1029)
20.08.2007   15:52:34.000   1187646754   system   Operating system: WindowsXP ver 5.1, build 2600, sp 2.0 [Service Pack 2]
20.08.2007   15:52:34.000   1187646754   system   Computer WinName: LAURA
20.08.2007   15:52:34.000   1187646754   system   Windows Net User: SYSTEM
20.08.2007   15:52:34.000   1187646754   general   Cmdline: /stopstat /verysilent /noreboot 
20.08.2007   15:52:34.000   1187646754   general   Operation set to INST_OP_[16]
20.08.2007   15:52:34.000   1187646754   general   Old version: 405 (1029)
20.08.2007   15:52:34.000   1187646754   general   SGW32P::CheckIfInstalled set m_bAlreadyInstalled to 1
20.08.2007   15:52:34.000   1187646754   internet   SYNCER: Type: use IE settings
20.08.2007   15:52:34.000   1187646754   internet   SYNCER: Auth: another authentication, use WinInet
20.08.2007   15:52:34.000   1187646754   package   Part prg_av_pro-405 is installed
20.08.2007   15:52:34.000   1187646754   package   Part vps-76702 is installed
20.08.2007   15:52:34.000   1187646754   package   Part news-4b is installed
20.08.2007   15:52:34.000   1187646754   package   Part setup_av_pro-405 is installed
20.08.2007   15:52:34.000   1187646754   package   Part jrog-11 is installed
20.08.2007   15:52:34.000   1187646754   general   Old version: 405 (1029)
20.08.2007   15:52:34.000   1187646754   package   Transferred files: 0
20.08.2007   15:52:34.000   1187646754   package   Transferred bytes: 0
20.08.2007   15:52:34.000   1187646754   package   Transfer time: 0 ms
20.08.2007   15:52:34.000   1187646754   file   NeedReboot=false
20.08.2007   15:52:34.000   1187646754   general   Return code: 0x20000001 [Nothing done]
20.08.2007   15:52:34.000   1187646754   general   Stopped: 20.08.2007, 15:52:34

[DavidR]

You are looking at the start of the file it is in chronological order, that is why you should be posting the records at the 'end' if the file.

[Lisandro]

Unfortunately the windows firewall (doesn't deserve the name) as it doesn't monitor outbound traffic.

Just to follow this mind, today I've listened that they 'bought' an open source code and made the SP2 firewall messing a  LOT of things. Vista firewall has not being improved from the 'first' open source code.
Let MS do what they know how to do: operational system.
Let third party do what they do better than MS (antivirus, antispyware, firewall...).

Waiting for the 'problematic' part of the logs (the one, if any, with 'Error' info).

[snukes]

Thank you, I do understand how to tell chronological order.

The bit I pasted is the most recent bit. It's from the very bottom of the log. I've closed it and reopened it twice. Nothing new is being added. That's it. I'm using the file paths noted in the very first post of this thread to pull the log up, so if there's something I should be doing differently, let me know.

[willsnake]

hi, gud day... is it possible to update my avast not using internet? because im using 2 computers, at work and at home... my avast is updated at home coz its connected to internet, can i update my avast at my work w/out using internet? like copy important file when updating my avast, then paste it in my computer at work?

hope for your kind consideration... thank you... good day...

[DavidR]

@ snukes
Date and time order is chronological order and if that is your latest log entries then there is most certainly something wrong with your installation.

Try a repair of avast. Add Remove programs, select 'avast! Anti-Virus,' click the Change/Remove button and scroll down to Repair, click next and follow. You need to be on-line to do this.

If that doesn't work try, uninstall, reboot, install, reboot.

It would probably be best to first Download the latest version of avast http://www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-home.html and save it to your HDD, somewhere you can find it again. Use that when you reinstall.

@ willsnake
avast! VPS Update - Manual Download - For off-line systems you can, save the file to a CD or USB drive and transfer it to the off-line system and run it to update the VPS signatures file.

[Lisandro]

can i update my avast at my work w/out using internet?

Which version are you using at work, Home or Professional?
To update, you can use links that David posted.