Problem updating Avast4.6

I can’t update. Repeatedly get message: ‘cannot connect to server’
Have been using Avast! [Free personal edition] on this system for quite awhile with no problems updating.
My XP PC can update just fine [they share router, modem, cable broadband connection]
This system Win98SE Just installed Microsoft security updates today[Could this be part of the problem…it hasn’t caused the XP PC not to be able to update]
I’ve tried downloading latest version and both maintenance and clean reinstall’s, still can’t update similar errors in log. I’ve checked zonealarm…deleted all avast! references then gave permission each time Avast! components asked for it
Here are selected lines from log file
15.06.2005 19:50:00 package: ERROR:HttpGetWininet, catch returned 0x00002EFD
15.06.2005 19:50:04 general: InvalidateCurrent: invalidated server ‘Download16 AVAST server’ from ‘main’
15.06.2005 19:50:04 general: SelectCurrent: selected server ‘Download6 AVAST server’ from ‘main’
15.06.2005 19:50:04 internet: while trying to get file ‘servers.def’, error 0x20000004 has occured, try 1
15.06.2005 19:50:06 package: ERROR:GetInetFile, CreateFile( “C:\windows\TEMP_av_proI.tm~a47501\dld1.tmp”) returned 0x00000002
15.06.2005 19:50:06 general: InvalidateCurrent: invalidated server ‘Download6 AVAST server’ from ‘main’
15.06.2005 19:50:40 internet: tried 19 servers to get file ‘servers.def’, but failed (0x00000002)
15.06.2005 19:50:40 file: GetNewerStampedFile:GetFileWithRetry failed: C:\windows\TEMP_av_proI.tm~a47501\onefile, servers.def, error: 0x00000002
15.06.2005 19:50:40 general: Err:The system cannot find the file specified.
I have not tried re-registering as was suggested on another thread since I have no reason to believe the registration number would cease to be valid…it worked yesterday. I don’t have a trial edition.
Thanks in advance for help and suggestions.

Hi, MrToad!
I use winXP but I had a similar problem 2 days ago after I’ve installed the new Microsoft Unified Update Center (not only related with Avast: my OS was not able to connect). After tried a lot of solutions, I decided to reset and restart my router (D-Link) and after this (desperate!) experiment all ran ok. Sorry if I cannot say more.

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?

Thanks for the suggestions. I tried release and restart of router and shutting down ZoneAlarm firewall, but neither helped. Then I tried running Avast! update with AdSubtract running and I was able to connect and update. I briefly ran adSubtract yesterday when I had to use Internet Explorer to do something [I usually use Firefox which has a different adblocker]. I had AdSubtract on when Avast tried to update and something went wrong…had to restart. Anyway Adsubtract uses a proxy server to filter ads. Somehow Avast has come to rely on that proxy server and will now only update with AdSubtract running. I need to figure out how to get Avast back to updating directly instead of using the proxy adSubtract sets up. Any suggestions?

Found solution - Went to Update [basic], clicked ‘Details’…at the bottom of that window, clicked ‘proxy’ Selected Direct connection - it had been on auto-detect. Used the ‘Test connection’ at the bottom to verify that the change worked. Exited the Settings area and tried to update without adSubtract…it worked.
MrToad