Today I have started getting the message “Cannot connect to server” when attempting to update via the Avast user interface. However if I go to Control Panel, Add/Remove Programs and select the Update option in Avast, it updates without a problem. I have tried the Repair option, which runs but does not fix the problem.
I have tried performing the Avast User Interface update with my firewall (Zone Alarm) turned off, and still get the same error message. I have tried changing the Proxy Settings between Direct Connection and Auto Detect, as suggested elsewhere in the forum, and that has not made a difference.
Can you suggest any reason why this is happening? And how I can fix it?
To assist, please find below the version of Windows and Avast I have installed -
Avast Program Version: 6.0.1091
Virus Definitions Version: 110426-0
OS Name: Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Version: 5.1.2600 Service Pack 3 Build 2600
You are using an outdated version of Avast. Please update to the latest version of 6.0.1091. You can either do it via the Avast GUI and click “update” or do a clean install. If you do a clean install, make sure you use the Avast Uninstaller Tool http://files.avast.com/files/eng/aswclear6.exe and reboot after prior to installing the new version. I would try the upgrade first, then if you still have problems do the uninstall/clean install.
Is your version of 6.0.1091 an upgrade from a previous version or a clean install? If it was from a previous version, what version was it from? What other security software do you have on your machine now and in the past? How did you remove them in the past? Is your firewall blocking anything related to Avast?
Go to Control Panel and uninstall Avast through Add/Remove Programs if possible and reboot.
If Step 4 fails, boot into Safe Mode (hit F8 repeatedly) and run the Avast Uninstall Tool. Uninstall ALL previous versions and products of Avast one at a time and reboot until you are done.
Reboot.
Install the newest version of Avast and reboot.
Get Internet access and register your copy or add the license key for Free, Pro, or AIS.
It now appears to be working: I uninstalled and reinstalled Avast twice then rebooted after each time, the second time the Update function worked. Not sure what the cause was; it wasn’t the firewall as I tried an Update with it turned off and still got the same problem.
I have made NO OPERATION, for now.
But this evening, while I was doing something else, suddenly it is updated automatically!!
Then I went immediately to see if also manually update works and… everything worked!
now I have the vesion 6.0.1091.
In all honesty :-, I think it’s the server that works and does not work…
AAAAAAAAAAAAh!!! NO!!! Excuse-me!!!
In that pc I have the ethernet not right configured!!! ;D ;D ;D
Automatic update is happaned using the wireless connection :-[
In any case, I must analize the problem on the other pc (netbook with win 7 starter edition): the connect is only one, with “internet key”.
From 10 & 11 I would think it has to do with Comodo (and my gutfeeling says it may be the Defense+), but why only now and never before? Does it really have to do with the update to Avast 6? But if this would be the case one would expect the I-net to be plastered with posts on this problem, and it isn’t. Also, I have all the settings in Comodo that are required and on top of that one would expect Comodo to recognise Avast by default, right?
So, frankly, I am clueless…
Needless to say that any help will be much appreciated. Thanks a lot in advance!
Xander.
PS: Didn’t want to hijack anybody’s thread, but since my problem fits the topic very well and it is a recent thread I thought it may be nice to have it all together. Hope that’s OK…
do you have a firewall and defense + rule for avast.setup ? thats the updater, if you use the “purge” function frequently to get rid of old rules, then this may be your problem. do you have “create rules for safe applications” checked in comodo? also, check to see if avast.setup has been sandboxed by comodo(i know its disabled, but look anyway lol)
In addition to the good suggestions given to you by ArtemisF0wl, I would also add your firewall to Avast’s exclusions and vs. since both are security software.
ArtemisF0wl and SafeSurf thanks a lot for your input!
And guess what, I think I got things sorted! It must have been the firewall (and not D+ as I thought). Artemis’ post poked me into reviewing my Comodo settings one last time very carefully and I noticed that I did have a rule for avast.setup in D+, but not in the firewall - presumably because I never saw any ‘Firewall Events’ or maybe because it was 4 in the morning :
Anyway for future reference - My Comodo settings for Avast 6 and how to get them:
Comodo Firewall
A. Avast > Maintenance > Update > Update engine and virus definitions → this activates the avast.setup process
B. Keep the Avast update running (it will hang, if all is ‘well’)
C. Comodo > Firewall > Define a New Trusted Application > Select > Running processes → select avast.setup and apply
D. This should result in C:\Program Files\AVAST Software\Avast\Setup\avast.setup under ‘Network Security Policy’ → Make sure the policy is ‘Allow All Requests’ (if not, Edit > Use a Custom Policy > Edit)
E. Comodo > Firewall > Firewall Bahavior Settings > General Settings, check ‘Create rules for safe applications’
Defense+
A. Avast > Maintenance > Update > Update engine and virus definitions → this activates the avast.setup process
B. Keep the Avast update running (it will hang, if all is ‘well’)
C. Comodo > Defense+ > Trusted Files > Add > Browse Running Processes → select avast.setup and apply
D. This should result in C:\Program Files\AVAST Software\Avast\Setup\avast.setup under ‘Computer Security Policy > Defense+ Rules’ → Make sure policy is ‘Installer or Updater’ or ‘Trusted application’ (if not, Edit > Use a Predefined Policy)
E. Still under Computer Security Policy, make sure none of the Avast files is listed under ‘Blocked Files’ and that ALWIL Software (the company providing Avast) is listed under ‘Trusted Software Vendors’
F. Comodo > Defense+ > Defense+ Settings > General Settings, check ‘Create rules for safe applications’
Notes:
a. The file avast.setup cannot simply be selected from a directory since it is created on the fly, hence steps 1C & 2C
b. Because avast.setup is only created when needed, it may advertedly be discarded when purging Network or Computer Security Policies (FW and D+, resp.). So pay attention not to remove your rule for avast.setup when asked to confirm removal of policies.
Hope this may help someone else, one day…
Thanks again for the quick and helpful replies - this sure is a great forum!
Xander.
