Cannot Connect to Server

[bucjim]

Just downloaded the full program. When I go to update the virus files. I get

Downloading file : Servers.def

Cannot connect to server.


Any help would be appreciated. This thing is not user friendly at all

[Asyn]

Set avast to: Direct Connection (No Proxy)
asyn

[Rob Roy]

I have been having this problem for some time with my Windows XP laptop ...

 I have tried uninstall/ reinstall (the free version) and stillkeep getting this "cannot find server" message ..

   My Windows 7 laptop has exactly the same settings and has no problem updating ...
  Help Please !!!

  Thanks in advance

[Zyndstoff (aka Steven Gail)]

Set avast to: Direct Connection (No Proxy)
asyn

Did you do this?

[Rob Roy]

Thanks for the prompt reply asyn

Have done it now ...but still no joy .. message is the same ...

[Zyndstoff (aka Steven Gail)]

Find the hosts file in "C:\windows\system32\drivers\etc" (hosts file may be hidden, so make sure you can see the hidden files in explorer)

Attach it to the next post.

[Rob Roy]

The host file is there... I can't open it though ... I don't know what program created it .... and the icon is the usual general one ... sorry I'm not being much help...

[Zyndstoff (aka Steven Gail)]

It can be opened with notepad. It is a simple text file.

But you don't need to open it, just paste it to the next post with "Additional Options".

[Rob Roy]

Thanks .. it says " 127.0.0.1    local host"

[Zyndstoff (aka Steven Gail)]

So that is okay. Let's see then:

Download Malwarebytes Antimalware free by clicking on the blue MBAM in my signature.
Install it.
Start it.
Go to the update tab and update it.
Then start a "Quick scan" (takes only few minutes).
A log will appear after the scan - save that to your disk and post the file here (click "Additional Options" at the bottom of post editor window to attach the saved log file).

We'll continue then.

[Rob Roy]

Right ..here goes .. I hope this makes sense to you

[Zyndstoff (aka Steven Gail)]

Okay, there were some infections.
I see you had everything deleted, that's good.

Try to reboot and test the update again.

Please report back.

Thx.

[Rob Roy]

Thanks for all your help stephen , still the same old message I'm afraid ...

 Your suggestions are still welcome ... surely there is a way to beat this ..

 
 

[Zyndstoff (aka Steven Gail)]

Okay - what program version of Avast are you running? Pro? AIS? Or free?

[Zyndstoff (aka Steven Gail)]

Download OTS to your Desktop and double-click on it to run it

    Make sure you close all other programs and don't use the PC while the scan runs.
    Select All Users
    Under additional scans select the following

Reg - Disabled MS Config Items
Reg - Drivers32
Reg - NetSvcs
Reg - SafeBoot Minimal
Reg - Shell Spawning
Evnt - EventViewer Logs (Last 10 Errors)
File - Lop Check

    Under the Custom Scan box paste this in

netsvcs
%SYSTEMDRIVE%\*.exe
/md5start
explorer.exe
winlogon.exe
Userinit.exe
svchost.exe
/md5stop
%systemroot%\*. /mp /s
hklm\software\clients\startmenuinternet|command /rs
hklm\software\clients\startmenuinternet|command /64 /rs
CREATERESTOREPOINT

    Now click the Run Scan button on the toolbar. Make sure not to use the PC while the program is running or it will freeze.
    When the scan is complete Notepad will open with the report file loaded in it. Save the file as txt file (ANSI) and attach the log in your next post.