Cannot update auto or manual

Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security
1

I have a strange problem with Avast Home 4. At bootup I get a red error message screen saying the update failed. When I right click the quick launch icon, nothing happens. It will not update even though I know an update is available automatically or manually. The 5 Avast files are set in my Sygate firewall to Allow. Even when I set the firewall to allow all, it won’t update manually or automatically. But, when I go into Control Panel/Add Remove Programs & click on Avast, I can click on Update, & it goes through and updates program & iavs from Control Panel. What can be done to correct this? Thank you. The error log states:

2/19/2007 12:20:07 PM NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM 1752 ODBC function SQLConnect() failed. Error description: [Microsoft][ODBC Microsoft Access Driver] Could not find file ‘(unknown)’…

This error message only happened once on Feb 19th.

There are many of this next one dated differently with different system numbers.

2/19/2007 4:32:37 PM SYSTEM 1624 Entry point setifaceSetInfo not found in module C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\Setup\SetIFace.dll.

I configued the scheduled update via the Program Settings menu → Update (Basic) → Details. Auto-update interval, Auto-update every 240 minutes.

In the ini file, I set AlwaysConnectedWaitSeconds=600

I have also tried uninstalling Avast & reinstalling with same result. Per FAQ,s I changed the avast.ini COMMON section database=SQLT to database=XML which completely shut Avast down with red on the icon. I then changed the setting to database=ODBC which also didn’t help although didn’t shut Avast down.

I have run the following with no results:
C:\WINDOWS\system32\rundll32.exe “C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\Setup\setiface.dll”,RunSetup

I have run the change icon from Control Panel/Add Remove Programs with no results
I have run the repair icon from Control Panel/Add Remove Programs with no results

I would appreciate help. I have been using Avast for quite awhile and don’t want to change unless I have to. Just to be sure this wasn’t an IE7 issue, I uninstalled it with no results. Still no updates except by Control Panel. Thank you.

2

Hi! try to repair your avast instaloation

3

Thanks. I did try it. I tried the repair and also the change from within setup in Control Panal. It didn’t help, although I can use the Update function in the same place to update. Actually I don’t mind using the Control Panal update. But every four hours, I get the red error message & it stays there until I put my mouse over it, even if in standby or blacked screen saver. Thanks for the reply.

4

Basically, check the log files (or post the last 100 lines of the logs):
C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\DATA\log\Setup.log
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

  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.

5

Okay, this is going to be long, but it is the answer to the last post. Thanks for the reply. I had to cut some of the logs out because the post was too big.

Here are the last 100 or so lines of C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\DATA\log\Setup.log

SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Exchange\Client\Extensions\avast! 4=4.0;C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashOutXt.dll;1;10000111111000
03.03.2007 14:59:50.000 1172955590 system Service avast! Mail Scanner installed
03.03.2007 14:59:50.000 1172955590 system Starting service avast! Mail Scanner
03.03.2007 14:59:50.000 1172955590 system Service avast! Mail Scanner started, errcode: 0x00000420
03.03.2007 14:59:50.000 1172955590 system Service avast! Web Scanner installed
03.03.2007 14:59:50.000 1172955590 registry Set registry: SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\aswRdr\DisplayName=aswRdr
03.03.2007 14:59:50.000 1172955590 registry Set registry: SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\aswRdr\ErrorControl=1
03.03.2007 14:59:50.000 1172955590 registry Set registry: SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\aswRdr\Type=1
03.03.2007 14:59:50.000 1172955590 registry Set registry: SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\aswRdr\Start=3
03.03.2007 14:59:50.000 1172955590 registry Set registry: SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\aswRdr\Group=PNP_TDI
03.03.2007 14:59:50.000 1172955590 registry Set registry: Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\avast!\DisplayName=avast! Antivirus
03.03.2007 14:59:50.000 1172955590 registry Set registry: Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\avast!\DisplayVersion=4.7
03.03.2007 14:59:50.000 1172955590 registry Set registry: Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\avast!\HelpLink=http://www.avast.com
03.03.2007 14:59:50.000 1172955590 registry Set registry: Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\avast!\HelpTelephone=
03.03.2007 14:59:50.000 1172955590 registry Set registry: Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\avast!\UrlInfoAbout=http://www.avast.com
03.03.2007 14:59:50.000 1172955590 registry Set registry: Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\avast!\UrlUpdateInfo=http://www.avast.com
03.03.2007 14:59:50.000 1172955590 registry Set registry: Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\avast!\InstallLocation=C:\PROGRA~1\ALWILS~1\Avast4
03.03.2007 14:59:50.000 1172955590 registry Set registry: Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\avast!\InstallSource=C:\PROGRA~1\ALWILS~1\Avast4\setup
03.03.2007 14:59:50.000 1172955590 registry Set registry: Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\avast!\Publisher=Alwil Software
03.03.2007 14:59:50.000 1172955590 registry Set registry: Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\avast!\VersionMajor=4
03.03.2007 14:59:50.000 1172955590 registry Set registry: Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\avast!\VersionMinor=7
03.03.2007 14:59:50.000 1172955590 registry Set registry: Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\avast!\DisplayIcon=C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashAvast.exe
03.03.2007 14:59:50.000 1172955590 registry Set registry: Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\avast!\UninstallString=rundll32 C:\PROGRA~1\ALWILS~1\Avast4\Setup\setiface.dll,RunSetup
03.03.2007 14:59:53.000 1172955593 registry Set registry: Software\Alwil Software\Avast\4.0\Label=Jan2007
03.03.2007 14:59:53.000 1172955593 registry Set registry: Software\Alwil Software\Avast\4.0\Avast4DataFolder=C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\DATA
03.03.2007 14:59:53.000 1172955593 registry Set registry: Software\Alwil Software\Avast\4.0\Avast4SkinFolder=C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\DATA\Skin
03.03.2007 14:59:53.000 1172955593 registry Set registry: Software\Alwil Software\Avast\4.0\Version=4.7
03.03.2007 14:59:53.000 1172955593 registry Set registry: Software\Alwil Software\Avast\4.0\VersionShort=4.7
03.03.2007 14:59:53.000 1172955593 registry Set registry: Software\Alwil Software\Avast\4.0\SetupVersion=942
03.03.2007 14:59:53.000 1172955593 package Transferred files: 0
03.03.2007 14:59:53.000 1172955593 package Transferred bytes: 0
03.03.2007 14:59:53.000 1172955593 package Transfer time: 0 ms
03.03.2007 14:59:53.000 1172955593 file NeedReboot=false
03.03.2007 14:59:53.000 1172955593 general Return code: 0x20000001 [Nothing done]
03.03.2007 14:59:53.000 1172955593 general Stopped: 03.03.2007, 14:59:53

Here are the last 100 or so lines of C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\Setup\setup.log

14:59:50 vrb/reg Set registry: Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\avast!\DisplayVersion=4.7
14:59:50 vrb/reg Set registry: Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\avast!\HelpLink=http://www.avast.com
14:59:50 vrb/reg Set registry: Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\avast!\HelpTelephone=
14:59:50 vrb/reg Set registry: Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\avast!\UrlInfoAbout=http://www.avast.com
14:59:50 vrb/reg Set registry: Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\avast!\UrlUpdateInfo=http://www.avast.com
14:59:50 vrb/reg Set registry: Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\avast!\InstallLocation=C:\PROGRA~1\ALWILS~1\Avast4
14:59:50 vrb/reg Set registry: Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\avast!\InstallSource=C:\PROGRA~1\ALWILS~1\Avast4\setup
14:59:50 vrb/reg Set registry: Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\avast!\Publisher=Alwil Software
14:59:50 vrb/reg Set registry: Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\avast!\VersionMajor=4
14:59:50 vrb/reg Set registry: Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\avast!\VersionMinor=7
14:59:50 vrb/reg Set registry: Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\avast!\DisplayIcon=C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashAvast.exe
14:59:50 vrb/reg Set registry: Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\avast!\UninstallString=rundll32 C:\PROGRA~1\ALWILS~1\Avast4\Setup\setiface.dll,RunSetup
14:59:53 vrb/reg Set registry: Software\Alwil Software\Avast\4.0\Label=Jan2007
14:59:53 vrb/reg Set registry: Software\Alwil Software\Avast\4.0\Avast4DataFolder=C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\DATA
14:59:53 vrb/reg Set registry: Software\Alwil Software\Avast\4.0\Avast4SkinFolder=C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\DATA\Skin
14:59:53 vrb/reg Set registry: Software\Alwil Software\Avast\4.0\Version=4.7
14:59:53 vrb/reg Set registry: Software\Alwil Software\Avast\4.0\VersionShort=4.7
14:59:53 vrb/reg Set registry: Software\Alwil Software\Avast\4.0\SetupVersion=942
14:59:53 nrm/pkg Transferred files: 0
14:59:53 nrm/pkg Transferred bytes: 0
14:59:53 nrm/pkg Transfer time: 0 ms
14:59:53 vrb/fil NeedReboot=false
14:59:53 min/gen Return code: 0x20000001 [Nothing done]
14:59:53 min/gen Stopped: 03.03.2007, 14:59:53

I am licensed with registration

Sygate firewall is not an issue: all 5 Avast files are set to allow. Still have same problem with allow all set.

I did remove all Avast entrys to let the firewall ask again. No help.

I am online as I can use the Internet. I have a dsl always on connection, not proxy.

I changed the settings to auto detect with still no manual update by right clicking icon, so I set it back to always on no proxy.

I boot straight into the administrator account as I am the only user. There is no password.

I tried the following:
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.
I went to an information page, copied one of the urls to go to the download page, but got a page not unavailable. Is there another place to download servers.def? I searched Avast for the file but couldn’t find it. I googled for servers.def but could not find the file. My file is 14.6 kb. I understand if it is 0 bytes, it is corrupt. This is the only thing I haven’t tried. Thanks.

6

I opened the server.def file & it is the same on that comes on screen when I go to http://download52.avast.com/iavs4x/servers.def

I’ll copy it & paste it into the file & save to see what happens. Thanks.

7
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. I went to an information page, copied one of the urls to go to the download page, but got a page not unavailable. Is there another place to download servers.def?

When you click the link, it gives you the entire file, all 104 servers. The url was just 1 server. Copy that and replace your file. At 14.6kb, your file is probably ok, mine is currently 15kb. Besides you said you could update via control panel. But you never know, stranger things have helped and it won’t hurt.

Only 3 avast entries are nesseccary. Ashwebsv.exe, ashmaisv.exe, and avast.setup

8

Thanks for your patience. I copied the servers.def file, opened mine copied the new one, & saved the file. I rebooted with the red error message again. I also have set to allow in the firewall aswUpdSv.exe & ashServ.exe in addtiton to the other three. Is there a way to turn off auto updates to where the red error message won’t come up? That way I’ll just update by Control Panel/Add Remove Programs/ Avast setup.

9

I may be getting ahead of you, but thanks for the help. Can I change avast.ini setting:

VPSUpdate=Automatic

to something like VPSUpdate=Off
or VPSUpdate=Manual

10

Sorry. I didn’t read the ini sticky first. I just did and changed the setting for update basic to manual. I’ll try this awhile. If we can fix the auto update feature, it would be great, but I can live with going to Control Panel to update. Right clicking on the icon is a lot easier though. Ready to try whatever else you recommend. Thanks for your help.

11

One thing that I didn’t show you was the error log in Avast. Here are a few lines of it:
C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\Setup\SetIFace.dll.
3/3/2007 5:25:35 PM TK Smith 1568 Entry point setifaceSetInfo not found in module C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\Setup\SetIFace.dll.
3/3/2007 6:05:08 PM TK Smith 1568 Entry point setifaceSetInfo not found in module C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\Setup\SetIFace.dll.
3/3/2007 6:05:14 PM TK Smith 1568 Entry point setifaceSetInfo not found in module C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\Setup\SetIFace.dll.
3/3/2007 6:07:28 PM SYSTEM 1884 Entry point setifaceSetInfo not found in module C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\Setup\SetIFace.dll.
3/3/2007 6:07:28 PM SYSTEM 1884 Entry point setifaceStopStatNoSummary not found in module C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\Setup\SetIFace.dll.
3/3/2007 6:07:31 PM TK Smith 1492 Entry point setifaceShowSummary not found in module C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\Setup\SetIFace.dll.

I did the setiface repair routine with no results.

12

Thanks for your patience. Usually the solution is quick, other times,well… Posting the error log may help. The more info you can give the easier and faster the solution can be found. You are good at answering the questions and I see you aren’t afraid to do a little reasearch on you own.

If you can live with the way you are updating for a little while, I’m sure that this forum can get you going again. Hang in there.

13

One last bit of info I know. The following is the message from the dialog box that comes up when I right click the quick launch icon to manually update:

Information about current update:
Last encountered error: Another instance of setup is already running. Please wait until it finishes and then try to run it again.

Total time: 11:13

  • Program: Updated
    (previous version: 4.0.211, updated version: 4.7.942)
  • Vps: Updated
    (previous version: 000630-0, updated version: 000721-1)
  • Setup: Updated
    (current version 4.7.942)

Server: unknown (unknown:0)
Downloaded files: 90 (9,448.85 KB)
Download time: 1:52

I don’t know what it means that another instance of setup is running, unless it means from the boot time effort to auto update. If that is the case, it shows running when it should not be. What is running right now in Windows Task Manager concerning Avast is ashWebSv.exe, aswUpdSv.exe, ashDisp.exe, ashmaiSv.exe, ashServ.exe

Does anyone know which Avast files should be running normally? Is this too many? Thanks for the help. I don’t want to give up until I exhaust every avenue. A challenge is good until it starts to bug you. There are some good minds in this forum, and I appreciate your help.

14

This may have been your problem all along.

- Program: Updated (previous version: 4.0.211, updated version: 4.7.942)

If this is correct your version of avast is 4.0.211, this is very old and the VPS update process changed some time ago so that it would only update if you had a more recent program version. This may or may not account for the reason why your VPS is also so out of date.

- Vps: Updated (previous version: 000630-0, updated version: 000721-1)

On the old VPS numbering that was for week 30 of 2006, so around July 2006.

If the auto update is running and you initiate a manual update for instance then there would be another instance of avast.setup already running, you can confirm this in Task Manager and End the task.

The files listed are the correct avast processes running, avast.setup is only present if an update is available and running, once complete that is gone.

So what does about avast now say your program and VPS version are ?
Is the auto update now working ?

15

I do not recommend to change this entry.
Like David said, you seem to have been using a very old antivirus installation…
Are you using an off-line computer?

If you find this in FAQ’s, well, it will be good if avast team remove them from there.
avast does not use ODBC or XML storage anymore… this info should be removed from FAQ as it is out of date. Only SQLT is available now.

16

Thank you for replying. I’ll try downloading a new installation file & do an uninstall & fresh install. I think you have explained it. I just recently put together a new system & had just installed the Avast file I had saved previously & figured that it would just update itself once I got online with it. The file probably did indeed date from about mid 2006. I need to get rid of the old downloaded program files I save that have been superceded. I’ll let you know what happens.

17

If your setup is too old, it’s better to get the last version setup and install it from the scratch.

We’ll be here to help you 8)

18

It works just like it is supposed to. Thanks much for your expertise. I shouldn’t have assumed the program file would update itself. That’s what I get for using a saved install file instead of downloading a new 13 Meg file. If I could go back a few days, that would be a no-brainer. You have a sharp eye to have noticed the older previous version. Most like me would just check the current version. Again, thank you.

19

Your welcome, glad we could help.

20

Well… avast DOES update itself if you set so. You can use automatic updates for both (or just one) program and virus databases.