I downloaded avast in May and it has been working wonderfully, updating virus data, etc. But lately I get a notice “there is a new version on the net - click here to install it.”
Why would I want to get this new version (with my Windows 98) when the one I have is working wonderfully?
stwils
Well the latest version of avast! has several improvements, also there are and several bugs fixed, so updating to the latest version should bring you more stability 8)
For more info see Revision History 
What version of avast are you using, check the about avast (right click the avast icon) ?
There are some people who have win98 who are experiencing some problems on updates after 4.7.844, though this isn’t happening to every win98 user. So I would suggest that you update and see. If need be you should be able to install the older version (filehippo.com) if you do have a problem.
My version (home ed.) is 4.7.844.
I think for now I will stay with that since you say later versions may cause problems on Windows 98. (And so far I am having no problems.)
Thanks for your thoughts.
stwils
I would strongly suggest you at least try the update, if you don’t try you will never know and the problem isn’t effecting everyone. If it does effect you it will hopefully give more information as to the possible cause, which will help others.
There is a route back to that older version by downloading it from filehippo.com, uninstall, reboot, install 4.7.844 you downloaded from http://www.filehippo.com/download_avast_antivirus/ all it will have cost you is some time but could help others.
If it doesn’t effect you it will further confirm it doesn’t effect all win98 users, also helping others.
You might have noticed I mentioned it might help others ;D, this is what the forums are about avast users helping avast users, we help people and hopefully they too can help others.
Thats the whole problem of how people are thinking about AVs. Oh, this one is working wonderful, why should i update it at all. WIth antivirus software you just have to always be up to date. If you then experience problems you just have to contact developers about it. Using outdated AV is like not using it. Signatures are just not the only thing important here.
I updated avast from 4.7.844 to 4.7.871 earlier today on my daughter’s Win98se machine, and have had no problems of any kind. Everything works, and no slower than usual.
(pentium-mmx 233MHz, 4.1 GB HDD, 96MB RAM, Avast! home, Outpost free firewall, Spybot Search & Destroy, AdAware, a-squared, SpywareBlaster, Firefox 1.5.0.6, IE6, dial-up connection)
Thanks for the feed back tls.
Please don’t judge me too harshly about not trying out a newer version on my aged Win 98 machine.
I realize that we are a team and that we learn from each other.
However, I am not very savvy computer wise, and my computer is a bit unstable.
So I will hang on to the version I now have.
Hope you can understand.
stwils
It is entirely your choice, but you are effectively rejecting future updates and for an AV program that isn’t a good idea. So what you do with your system is up to you.
stwils, I understand completely, as I am sure anyone who has depended on a somewhat unstable older computer would.
If my daughter were not out of school for the summer, I would have waited longer to try the update on her computer. But since the information might be helpful (whether the update caused problems or not), and I have nearly a month to get her computer working right again if need be, I decided to go ahead and try.
I only posted regarding my experience to give information about a system that did not have problems with the newer version, in case it proved relevant to you or to those attempting to find a solution.
tls
It really isn’t a big issue to correct if you have a problem.
If you experience any problems.
If you have any other questions or problems we’re here and will try to help.