Avast4-Home, Auto-Update not working

Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security
1

Hello,

I already read all the topics regarding auto-update, but didn’t find a solution for my problem.
Avast isn’t updating it’s virus definition files automatically. If I open the logfile there is absolutly no entry showing that it tries to connect to the server.
If I start a manual update, everything is fine.
The process “aswUpdSv” is running and I even tried to repair the installation and also did remove-reboot-reinstall-reboot several times but without success.

Maybe someone has any ideas why it doesn’t even try to start auto-update?

Here is what’s written in the logfile if I update manually:

10.05.2007 09:25:27.000 1178781927 general Started: 10.05.2007, 09:25:27
10.05.2007 09:25:27.000 1178781927 general Running setup_av_pro-3e9 (1001)
10.05.2007 09:25:27.000 1178781927 system Operating system: WindowsXP ver 5.1, build 2600, sp 1.0 [Service Pack 1]
10.05.2007 09:25:27.000 1178781927 system Computer WinName: ******
10.05.2007 09:25:27.000 1178781927 system Windows Net User: ******
10.05.2007 09:25:27.000 1178781927 general Cmdline: /downloadpkgs /noreboot /updatevps /silent /progress
10.05.2007 09:25:27.000 1178781927 general DldSrc set to inet
10.05.2007 09:25:27.000 1178781927 general Operation set to INST_OP_UPDATE_GET_PACKAGES
10.05.2007 09:25:27.000 1178781927 general Old version: 3e9 (1001)
10.05.2007 09:25:27.000 1178781927 general SGW32P::CheckIfInstalled set m_bAlreadyInstalled to 1
10.05.2007 09:25:28.000 1178781928 system Computer DnsName: ******
10.05.2007 09:25:28.000 1178781928 system Computer Ip Addr: ******
10.05.2007 09:25:28.000 1178781928 internet SYNCER: Type: use IE settings
10.05.2007 09:25:28.000 1178781928 internet SYNCER: Auth: another authentication, use WinInet
10.05.2007 09:25:28.000 1178781928 package Part prg_av_pro-3e9 is installed
10.05.2007 09:25:28.000 1178781928 package Part vps-73804 is installed
10.05.2007 09:25:28.000 1178781928 package Part news-4b is installed
10.05.2007 09:25:28.000 1178781928 package Part setup_av_pro-3e9 is installed
10.05.2007 09:25:28.000 1178781928 package Part jrog-4 is installed
10.05.2007 09:25:28.000 1178781928 general Old version: 3e9 (1001)
10.05.2007 09:25:30.000 1178781930 file SetExistingFilesBitmap: 1024->144->144
10.05.2007 09:25:30.000 1178781930 general GUID: cee59868-a729-43c8-be2a-14c338ae535a
10.05.2007 09:25:30.000 1178781930 general Server definition(s) loaded for ‘main’: 125 (maintenance:0)
10.05.2007 09:25:30.000 1178781930 general SelectCurrent: selected server ‘Download72 AVAST server’ from ‘main’
10.05.2007 09:25:30.000 1178781930 package GetPackages - set proxy for inet
10.05.2007 09:25:30.000 1178781930 internet SYNCER: Type: use IE settings
10.05.2007 09:25:30.000 1178781930 internet SYNCER: Auth: another authentication, use WinInet
10.05.2007 09:25:31.000 1178781931 general Used server: http://download72.avast.com/iavs4x
10.05.2007 09:25:32.000 1178781932 general Server definition(s) loaded for ‘main’: 125 (maintenance:0)
10.05.2007 09:25:32.000 1178781932 general SelectCurrent: selected server ‘Download90 AVAST server’ from ‘main’
10.05.2007 09:25:32.000 1178781932 package GetPackages - set proxy for inet
10.05.2007 09:25:32.000 1178781932 internet SYNCER: Type: use IE settings
10.05.2007 09:25:32.000 1178781932 internet SYNCER: Auth: another authentication, use WinInet
10.05.2007 09:25:32.000 1178781932 general Used server: http://download90.avast.com/iavs4x
10.05.2007 09:25:32.000 1178781932 general Used server: http://download90.avast.com/iavs4x
10.05.2007 09:25:32.000 1178781932 general Used server: http://download90.avast.com/iavs4x
10.05.2007 09:25:32.000 1178781932 package Load C:\Programme\Alwil Software\Avast4\Setup\prod-av_pro.vpu
10.05.2007 09:25:32.000 1178781932 package LatestPartInfo: jrog = jrog-4
10.05.2007 09:25:32.000 1178781932 package LatestPartInfo: news = news-4b
10.05.2007 09:25:32.000 1178781932 package LatestPartInfo: program = prg_av_pro-3e9
10.05.2007 09:25:32.000 1178781932 package LatestPartInfo: setup = setup_av_pro-3e9
10.05.2007 09:25:32.000 1178781932 package LatestPartInfo: vps = vps-73901
10.05.2007 09:25:32.000 1178781932 general Used server: http://download90.avast.com/iavs4x
10.05.2007 09:25:32.000 1178781932 package Part vps-73901 was set to be installed
10.05.2007 09:25:32.000 1178781932 package Removed obsolete file part-vps-73804.vpu
10.05.2007 09:25:33.000 1178781933 general Part of license key: ******
10.05.2007 09:25:33.000 1178781933 package FilterOutExistingFiles: 144 & 144 = 0
10.05.2007 09:25:33.000 1178781933 package FilterOutExistingFiles: 144 & 144 = 0
10.05.2007 09:25:33.000 1178781933 package IsFullOkay: vps-73900.vpu - not okay
10.05.2007 09:25:33.000 1178781933 package IsFullOkay: vpsm-73901.vpu - not okay
10.05.2007 09:25:33.000 1178781933 package IsFullOkay: vpsm-73901.vpu - not okay
10.05.2007 09:25:33.000 1178781933 package IsFullOkay: vps-73900.vpu - not okay
10.05.2007 09:25:33.000 1178781933 package IsFullOkay: vpsm-73901.vpu - not okay
10.05.2007 09:25:33.000 1178781933 package IsFullOkay: vpsm-73901.vpu - not okay
10.05.2007 09:25:34.000 1178781934 general Used server: http://download90.avast.com/iavs4x
10.05.2007 09:25:34.000 1178781934 package DldPackage: C:\Programme\Alwil Software\Avast4\Setup\vps-73900-73800.vpu, returned 0x00000000
10.05.2007 09:25:41.000 1178781941 package Diff ok, created: vps-73900.vpu
10.05.2007 09:25:41.000 1178781941 general Used server: http://download90.avast.com/iavs4x
10.05.2007 09:25:41.000 1178781941 package DldPackage: C:\Programme\Alwil Software\Avast4\Setup\vpsm-73901.vpu, returned 0x00000000
10.05.2007 09:25:41.000 1178781941 package Removed obsolete file vpsm-73804.vpu
10.05.2007 09:25:47.000 1178781947 package vps: needs to be updated [073901]
10.05.2007 09:25:47.000 1178781947 package FilterOutExistingFiles: 144 & 144 = 0
10.05.2007 09:25:47.000 1178781947 package Transferred files: 7
10.05.2007 09:25:47.000 1178781947 package Transferred bytes: 35594
10.05.2007 09:25:47.000 1178781947 package Transfer time: 2080 ms
10.05.2007 09:25:48.000 1178781948 internet Sending stats ‘http://download90.avast.com/cgi-bin/iavs4stats.cgi’: 00000000 204
10.05.2007 09:25:48.000 1178781948 file NeedReboot=false
10.05.2007 09:25:48.000 1178781948 general Return code: 0x20000000 [Something done]
10.05.2007 09:25:48.000 1178781948 general Stopped: 10.05.2007, 09:25:48

10.05.2007 09:25:49.000 1178781949 general Started: 10.05.2007, 09:25:49
10.05.2007 09:25:49.000 1178781949 general Running setup_av_pro-3e9 (1001)
10.05.2007 09:25:49.000 1178781949 system Operating system: WindowsXP ver 5.1, build 2600, sp 1.0 [Service Pack 1]
10.05.2007 09:25:49.000 1178781949 system Computer WinName: ******
10.05.2007 09:25:49.000 1178781949 system Windows Net User: ******
10.05.2007 09:25:49.000 1178781949 general Cmdline: /refresh /noreboot /updatevps /silent /progress
10.05.2007 09:25:49.000 1178781949 general Operation set to INST_OP_UPDATE_INSTALL_PACKAGES
10.05.2007 09:25:49.000 1178781949 general Old version: 3e9 (1001)
10.05.2007 09:25:49.000 1178781949 general SGW32P::CheckIfInstalled set m_bAlreadyInstalled to 1
10.05.2007 09:25:49.000 1178781949 internet SYNCER: Type: use IE settings
10.05.2007 09:25:49.000 1178781949 internet SYNCER: Auth: another authentication, use WinInet
10.05.2007 09:25:49.000 1178781949 package Part prg_av_pro-3e9 is installed
10.05.2007 09:25:49.000 1178781949 package Part vps-73901 is installed
10.05.2007 09:25:49.000 1178781949 package Part news-4b is installed
10.05.2007 09:25:49.000 1178781949 package Part setup_av_pro-3e9 is installed
10.05.2007 09:25:49.000 1178781949 package Part jrog-4 is installed
10.05.2007 09:25:49.000 1178781949 general Old version: 3e9 (1001)
10.05.2007 09:25:50.000 1178781950 file SetExistingFilesBitmap: 1024->144->144
10.05.2007 09:25:50.000 1178781950 general GUID: cee59868-a729-43c8-be2a-14c338ae535a
10.05.2007 09:25:50.000 1178781950 general Entering:UpdateInstallPackages
10.05.2007 09:25:50.000 1178781950 package Load C:\Programme\Alwil Software\Avast4\Setup\prod-av_pro.vpu
10.05.2007 09:25:50.000 1178781950 package LatestPartInfo: jrog = jrog-4
10.05.2007 09:25:50.000 1178781950 package LatestPartInfo: news = news-4b
10.05.2007 09:25:50.000 1178781950 package LatestPartInfo: program = prg_av_pro-3e9
10.05.2007 09:25:50.000 1178781950 package LatestPartInfo: setup = setup_av_pro-3e9
10.05.2007 09:25:50.000 1178781950 package LatestPartInfo: vps = vps-73901
10.05.2007 09:25:50.000 1178781950 package FilterOutExistingFiles: 144 & 144 = 0
10.05.2007 09:25:50.000 1178781950 package FilterOutExistingFiles: 144 & 144 = 0
10.05.2007 09:25:50.000 1178781950 package ArePartsInstallable: 1
10.05.2007 09:25:57.000 1178781957 package vps: updated [073901]
10.05.2007 09:25:57.000 1178781957 file Fix security on: C:\Programme\Alwil Software\Avast4*.*
10.05.2007 09:26:02.000 1178781962 file Fix security on: C:\Programme\Alwil Software\Avast4\GERMAN*.*
10.05.2007 09:26:02.000 1178781962 file Fix security on: C:\Programme\Alwil Software\Avast4\GERMAN\HELP*.*
10.05.2007 09:26:02.000 1178781962 file Fix security on: C:\Programme\Alwil Software\Avast4\GERMAN\HtmlData*.*
10.05.2007 09:26:02.000 1178781962 file Fix security on: C:\Programme\Alwil Software\Avast4\images*.*
10.05.2007 09:26:03.000 1178781963 package Transferred files: 0
10.05.2007 09:26:03.000 1178781963 package Transferred bytes: 0
10.05.2007 09:26:03.000 1178781963 package Transfer time: 0 ms
10.05.2007 09:26:03.000 1178781963 file NeedReboot=false
10.05.2007 09:26:03.000 1178781963 general Return code: 0x20000000 [Something done]
10.05.2007 09:26:03.000 1178781963 general Stopped: 10.05.2007, 09:26:03

2

Part 2 of logfile, post was too long:

10.05.2007 09:26:11.000 1178781971 general Started: 10.05.2007, 09:26:11
10.05.2007 09:26:11.000 1178781971 general Running setup_av_pro-3e9 (1001)
10.05.2007 09:26:11.000 1178781971 system Operating system: WindowsXP ver 5.1, build 2600, sp 1.0 [Service Pack 1]
10.05.2007 09:26:11.000 1178781971 system Computer WinName: ******
10.05.2007 09:26:11.000 1178781971 system Windows Net User: ******
10.05.2007 09:26:11.000 1178781971 general Cmdline: /stopstat /silent /noreboot
10.05.2007 09:26:11.000 1178781971 general Operation set to INST_OP_[16]
10.05.2007 09:26:11.000 1178781971 general Old version: 3e9 (1001)
10.05.2007 09:26:11.000 1178781971 general SGW32P::CheckIfInstalled set m_bAlreadyInstalled to 1
10.05.2007 09:26:11.000 1178781971 internet SYNCER: Type: use IE settings
10.05.2007 09:26:11.000 1178781971 internet SYNCER: Auth: another authentication, use WinInet
10.05.2007 09:26:11.000 1178781971 package Part prg_av_pro-3e9 is installed
10.05.2007 09:26:11.000 1178781971 package Part vps-73901 is installed
10.05.2007 09:26:11.000 1178781971 package Part news-4b is installed
10.05.2007 09:26:11.000 1178781971 package Part setup_av_pro-3e9 is installed
10.05.2007 09:26:11.000 1178781971 package Part jrog-4 is installed
10.05.2007 09:26:11.000 1178781971 general Old version: 3e9 (1001)
10.05.2007 09:26:16.000 1178781976 package Transferred files: 0
10.05.2007 09:26:16.000 1178781976 package Transferred bytes: 0
10.05.2007 09:26:16.000 1178781976 package Transfer time: 0 ms
10.05.2007 09:26:16.000 1178781976 file NeedReboot=false
10.05.2007 09:26:16.000 1178781976 general Return code: 0x20000001 [Nothing done]
10.05.2007 09:26:16.000 1178781976 general Stopped: 10.05.2007, 09:26:16

3

I would suggest an installation from the scratch:

  1. Uninstall avast from Control Panel first.
  2. Boot.
  3. Use Avast Uninstall for complete uninstallation.
  4. Boot.
  5. Install again the last 4.7.1001
4

Ok, will try this. Didn’t use “avast uninstall” until now.
Thanks for your fast reply.
chris

5

Well, yesterday I did it like Tech told me, but still not even trying to auto-update.
I checked the logfile today and the only entries are from the installation (last line from yesterday, “stopped”) and the virus-definitions are from 30.4.2007 (737-2) which came with the install-file.
Any ideas?

chris

6

avast team

what does the not okay status line that appears in this and other recent log postings mean please?

7

any news to this problem? The machine is still not even trying to auto-update, manual updates are fine.
chris

8

alanrf: Avast setup works with ‘product’ which contains several ‘parts’, each consisting of several ‘packages’, which contain ‘files’.

When there is a VPS update, only part-vps is changed. Updater downloads product description file and checks if all parts are up to date (okay), if they’re not (not okay), they got flagged for download and processing. It’s just our internal pidgin (we’re not the native speakers).

chris.at: If the auto update is not even tried and manual works it usually means something is blocking the pings to our servers. You should be able to find here the help for opening the firewall to allow the pings.

9

Does PeerGuardian, when blocking HTTP as well UDP and TCP protocols, blocks the access to avast servers? Just a guess of what, besides firewall, could block the connection.

10

Thank you kubecj, but shouldn’t there be some entries in the logfile telling that something went wrong? But there’s nothing logged.
chris

11

Avast is quite modular and that may be a bit confusing.

‘Connection testing’ to internet via pinging is done by ashServ.

ashServ then runs the avast.setup (only setup writes to setup.log).

If there are no pings going thru, no connection is assumed and setup is not run, so it writes nothing to log.

For more info check this.

12

Thank you kubecj for this explanation and especially for the link to the document.
Because it’s not possible for my machine to ping internet-adresses and I can’t change this I checked the box for “always connected to the internet” now and will see if this is fixing the problem.

chris

13

Hello again,

auto-update is trying to update now :smiley: - thanks for the hints with server-pings, checking “always connected” did it - but proxy-detection is not working.
With “auto detect proxy” I get the following errors:

31.05.2007 04:07:00.000 1180577220 package GetPackages - set proxy for inet
31.05.2007 04:07:00.000 1180577220 internet SYNCER: Type: use IE settings
31.05.2007 04:07:00.000 1180577220 internet SYNCER: Auth: another authentication, use WinInet
31.05.2007 04:07:23.000 1180577243 package ERROR:HttpGetWininet, catch returned 0x00002EE2
31.05.2007 04:07:49.000 1180577269 package ERROR:HttpGetWininet, catch returned 0x00002EE2
31.05.2007 04:08:15.000 1180577295 package ERROR:HttpGetWininet, catch returned 0x00002EE2
31.05.2007 04:08:41.000 1180577321 package ERROR:HttpGetWininet, catch returned 0x00002EE2
31.05.2007 04:09:07.000 1180577347 package ERROR:HttpGetWininet, catch returned 0x00002EE2

I manually entered the proxy-server now in avast-settings and auto-update is working now!
Don’t know why proxy-detection doesn’t work.

chris

14

I presume here that you mean that autoupdate does not work, whereas manual update works fine. If this is the case, would you be so kind and provide the following info, from the “problematic” case. Assuming that “always connected” is checked, what exactly do you mean that you try with “auto detect proxy”? IOW:

  1. Which exactly are the options set in control panel → internet options → connections → lan settings in the problematic case of yours?

  2. Which settings have you set in the avast options → Update (connections) → Proxy in the problematic case?

  3. Is there some proxy available in your local network?

It feels as though your problem might be remotely related to the one in http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=26546.15 but since I’m not sure better keep these discussions seperate for the time being.

15

Kubecj said: The avast’s proxy settings are definitely global.
IE settings are most probably per-user - they reside in HKEY_CURRENT_USER.
What settings are used while running under local system account - don’t know (yet).

I’m not sure that this applies to your case or not.
http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=26546.msg234202#msg234202

16

maleas,
answers to your questions:

Which exactly are the options set in control panel -> internet options -> connections -> lan settings in the problematic case of yours?
manual proxy, port 3128
Which settings have you set in the avast options -> Update (connections) -> Proxy in the problematic case?
auto detect (use internet explorer settings)
Is there some proxy available in your local network?
3) yes, no web without it

autoupdate is working perfect, but only if I define proxy-settings manually in “avast-options → update → proxy”.
If I select “auto detect proxy settings” here, then the error-messages appear in the log and no autoupdate is done.
Just confusing is that if I select “auto detect” and klick on the “Test”-button, everything is fine (avast reports “ok”).
But that’s not a big deal, because I just set the proxy manual and that’s it.

Tech,
proxy settings are in the current-user section, thats right (I just checked the registry now). In local-machine I cannot find any proxy-settings. At my machines at home it’s no problem if I use “auto detect” in avast-options. The only difference is that I don’t have any proxy at home.

chris

17

Indeed seems a problem in the proxy detection, as the test should fail in this case…