Can't Update Virus Definitions

Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security
1

Hi all,

I’ve been running Home Edition for quite some time…registered on 12/30/2005. A couple weeks ago, my Windows 98 machine stopped being able to update virus definitions. When it’s “Downloading packages” I get the following error.

“Error: Cannot connect to server.”

If I let it run, the attempt eventually times out (after about 2 minutes), and I then get the following displayed:

“Information about current update:
Last encountered error: Cannot connect to download41.avast.com (unknown:80).”

I also get the following error message:

“avast! Antivirus Setup
Cannot connect to download56.avast.com (unknown:80)”

I have installed a Linksys WRT54G Router, but it was prior to the start of my problems. There have been no other system or application changes that I can think of. The router is not set to block any outgoing traffic. I have no other firewalls running.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Oh yeah…I did a full uninstall and reload as well…same problem.

Thanks,

Kent

2

Most probably your firewall are blocking avast.setup to connect and update.
Can you disable it? If this not work, can you uninstall it and see what you get?

Do you use a proxy filter?

Does avast.setup file is allowed to connect into your firewall?
Can you manually update program and vps?
Which are the versions of both of them?

3

From the originators post …

I have installed a Linksys WRT54G Router, but it was prior to the start of my problems. There have been no other system or application changes that I can think of. The router is not set to block any outgoing traffic. [b]I have no other firewalls running.[/b]
4

So there are more four or five questions to answer ;D

5

Hi all,
Same problem with WIN98SE and Avast 4.7.871.
Solved by allowing Aswupdsv.exe to connect to the Net in the firewall.
In this new version 4.7.871 it seems Avast.setup file has been deleted. Do you confirm ? I don’t find it any more on my HDD !
More, could you list the files which must be allowed to connect to the Net ? The FAQ’s list could be obsolete now.
Thank you for reply.
Cheers
Sulpice

6

That’s weird as aswupdsv.exe doesn’t have permission in my firewall.

avast.setup isn’t a permanent file it is only created if an update is available and is only there for the duration of the update.

avast.setup
ashWebSv.exe
ashMaiSv.exe

7

It’s ok…

Into the firewall settings, the following programs should be allowed to connect:

C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashWebSv.exe (avast! Web Scanner)
C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashMaiSv.exe (avast! e-Mail Scanner Service)
C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\Setup\avast.setup (avast! Update executable)

Don’t need rights to connect:
C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashServ.exe (avast! antivirus service)
C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashUpdSv.exe (avast! Update Service) :wink:

8

Thank you for these answers.
About Avast.setup file, it is cleared up now.
About Asw UpdSv.exe, it is less clear. Allowing it to connect solved the update problem some days ago, but to-day I can update without it ! And note that it belongs to the list of programs to be allowed to connect according to the Avast FAQ.
You are right, it’s a bit weird !
Sulpice

9

Well, never a firewall asked me for connection: neither Outpost, neither Kerio, neither ZoneAlarm, neither Comodo…
Worse for the avast FAQs I suppose :stuck_out_tongue: