Sudden problem with 4.7 Home registration

[system]

After nearly two problem-free years using 4.x Home, I am suddenly experiencing issues updating the program. Upon startup I now receive a pop-up alert that my license key has expired. I am now unable to download any program updates.

Specifically, the error message I receive says that my license key is invalid or expired. The message further states that my license is/was valid until Wednesday, December 31, 1969(!), states the current day and date (which is correct), and suggests that either my system time/date info needs to be updated or I need a new license key.

My current license registration began on 02.01.06 so it should still be good. I’ve tried re-entering my current license key. I’ve tried uninstalling and reinstalling the app from a saved installer file (downloaded from avast.com). I’ve tried re-downloading and re-installing the app. Just for good measure I even re-registered for a brand new license key. Both the old and the new license keys appear to be accepted by avast (through normal copy + paste) when entered, and everything seems fine - until I try to run a program or iAVS update. Then I get the error message.

Anyone have any ideas here? Thanks!

[Lisandro]

@chachi4life post:1

I am suddenly experiencing issues updating the program. Upon startup I now receive a pop-up alert that my license key has expired. I am now unable to download any program updates.

1. Check your system date and time again.
2. The Registration key is valid for 14 months. Has this period expired? Register again (for free).
3. Use copy & paste method to apply the key (take care to not copy the ‘last’ blank space at the end of the paragraph: copy only the key).

@chachi4life post:1

Specifically, the error message I receive says that my license key is invalid or expired. The message further states that my license is/was valid until Wednesday, December 31, 1969(!), states the current day and date (which is correct), and suggests that either my system time/date info needs to be updated or I need a new license key.

Did you change the file system from FAT32 to NTFS?

@chachi4life post:1

everything seems fine - until I try to run a program or iAVS update. Then I get the error message.

Can you post the last lines of these log files?
C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\DATA\log\Setup.log
C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\Setup\setup.log
I mean, the last 100 lines each…

[DavidR]

Have you checked your system date and correct as required ?

This sounds like a possible problem with the CMOS battery resetting the system date to the default start date.

[system]

Thanks for the replies. I appreciate the efforts to help…

@Tech post:2

1. Check your system date and time again.
2. The Registration key is valid for 14 months. Has this period expired? Register again (for free).
3. Use copy & paste method to apply the key (take care to not copy the ‘last’ blank space at the end of the paragraph: copy only the key).

1. System date and time display correctly in system tray.
2. Previous registration key obtained on 02.01.06 as per OP (in other words appx 9 months ago). Also re-registered and obtained a new registration key yesterday. Both should be valid. Both appear to be accepted by app when entered. (Successful registration message received.)
3. Always use CTRL + C to copy and CTRL + V to paste registration key.

@Tech post:2

Did you change the file system from FAT32 to NTFS?

File system has always been NTFS. BTW I am running WinXP Home SP2 on a P4 Dell Dimension 4700 with 512MB RAM. Can supply other particulars if that helps.

@Tech post:2

Can you post the last lines of these log files?
C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\DATA\log\Setup.log
C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\Setup\setup.log
I mean, the last 100 lines each…

I have those ready. Should I really post them here (they will obviously take up a lot of space) or should I email them to you?

@DavidR post:3

Have you checked your system date and correct as required ?

This sounds like a possible problem with the CMOS battery resetting the system date to the default start date.

The day, date and time all appear correctly in my system tray.

I also have a screenshot of the error message I receive during app update attempts. I can post that if useful…

[Lisandro]

@chachi4life post:4

I have those ready. Should I really post them here (they will obviously take up a lot of space) or should I email them to you?

I’ve ment that you post here the last 100 lines of each one… no problems of space.

@chachi4life post:4

I also have a screenshot of the error message I receive during app update attempts. I can post that if useful…

Yes, please, post it.

[system]

Here’s the info from the two program logs. Apparently I have to post them seperately or I exceed the max characters allowed per post. (I X’ed out my IP address, btw.) I’ll be back shortly with the pic of the error message…

C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\DATA\log\Setup.log

26.10.2006 13:20:25.000 1161894025 general SelectCurrent: selected server ‘Download75 AVAST server’ from ‘main’
26.10.2006 13:20:25.000 1161894025 package GetPackages - set proxy for inet
26.10.2006 13:20:25.000 1161894025 internet SYNCER: Type: use IE settings
26.10.2006 13:20:25.000 1161894025 internet SYNCER: Auth: another authentication, use WinInet
26.10.2006 13:20:27.000 1161894027 general Used server: http://download75.avast.com/iavs4x
26.10.2006 13:20:27.000 1161894027 general Used server: http://download75.avast.com/iavs4x
26.10.2006 13:20:27.000 1161894027 general Invalid licence: 0x00000005
26.10.2006 13:20:28.000 1161894028 general Err:The license key for this product is invalid or expired.
License

is valid until: Wednesday, December 31, 1969
Current date: Thursday, October 26, 2006
26.10.2006 13:20:28.000 1161894028 package Transferred files: 3
26.10.2006 13:20:28.000 1161894028 package Transferred bytes: 30
26.10.2006 13:20:28.000 1161894028 package Transfer time: 3032 ms
26.10.2006 13:20:28.000 1161894028 internet Sending stats

‘http://download75.avast.com/cgi-bin/iavs4stats.cgi’: 00000000 204
26.10.2006 13:20:28.000 1161894028 file NeedReboot=false
26.10.2006 13:20:28.000 1161894028 general Return code: 0x2000001A [The license key for this product is invalid

or expired.
License is valid until: Wednesday, December 31, 1969
Current date: Thursday, October 26, 2006]
26.10.2006 13:20:28.000 1161894028 general Stopped: 26.10.2006, 13:20:28

26.10.2006 14:32:13.000 1161898333 general Started: 26.10.2006, 14:32:13
26.10.2006 14:32:13.000 1161898333 general Running setup_av_pro-37c (892)
26.10.2006 14:32:13.000 1161898333 system Operating system: WindowsXP ver 5.1, build 2600, sp 2.0 [Service Pack

2]
26.10.2006 14:32:13.000 1161898333 system Computer WinName: DELL
26.10.2006 14:32:13.000 1161898333 system Windows Net User: DELL\PC User
26.10.2006 14:32:14.000 1161898334 general Cmdline: /downloadpkgs /noreboot /silent /progress
26.10.2006 14:32:14.000 1161898334 general DldSrc set to inet
26.10.2006 14:32:14.000 1161898334 general Operation set to INST_OP_UPDATE_GET_PACKAGES
26.10.2006 14:32:14.000 1161898334 general Old version: 37c (892)
26.10.2006 14:32:14.000 1161898334 general SGW32P::CheckIfInstalled set m_bAlreadyInstalled to 1
26.10.2006 14:32:14.000 1161898334 system Computer DnsName: DELL
26.10.2006 14:32:14.000 1161898334 system Computer Ip Addr: XXX.XXX.X.XX
26.10.2006 14:32:15.000 1161898335 internet SYNCER: Type: use IE settings
26.10.2006 14:32:15.000 1161898335 internet SYNCER: Auth: another authentication, use WinInet
26.10.2006 14:32:15.000 1161898335 package Part prg_av_pro-37c is installed
26.10.2006 14:32:15.000 1161898335 package Part vps-63901 is installed
26.10.2006 14:32:15.000 1161898335 package Part news-4a is installed
26.10.2006 14:32:15.000 1161898335 package Part setup_av_pro-37c is installed
26.10.2006 14:32:15.000 1161898335 general Old version: 37c (892)
26.10.2006 14:32:17.000 1161898337 file SetExistingFilesBitmap: 904->140->140
26.10.2006 14:32:17.000 1161898337 general GUID: bcbfc958-08f5-4013-b578-842276e7e92d
26.10.2006 14:32:17.000 1161898337 general Server definition(s) loaded for ‘main’: 80 (maintenance:0)
26.10.2006 14:32:17.000 1161898337 general SelectCurrent: selected server ‘Download16 AVAST server’ from ‘main’
26.10.2006 14:32:17.000 1161898337 package GetPackages - set proxy for inet
26.10.2006 14:32:17.000 1161898337 internet SYNCER: Type: use IE settings
26.10.2006 14:32:17.000 1161898337 internet SYNCER: Auth: another authentication, use WinInet
26.10.2006 14:32:21.000 1161898341 general Used server: http://download16.avast.com/iavs4x
26.10.2006 14:32:21.000 1161898341 general Server definition(s) loaded for ‘main’: 80 (maintenance:0)
26.10.2006 14:32:21.000 1161898341 general SelectCurrent: selected server ‘Download8 AVAST server’ from ‘main’
26.10.2006 14:32:21.000 1161898341 package GetPackages - set proxy for inet
26.10.2006 14:32:21.000 1161898341 internet SYNCER: Type: use IE settings
26.10.2006 14:32:21.000 1161898341 internet SYNCER: Auth: another authentication, use WinInet
26.10.2006 14:32:21.000 1161898341 general Used server: http://download8.avast.com/iavs4x
26.10.2006 14:32:21.000 1161898341 general Used server: http://download8.avast.com/iavs4x
26.10.2006 14:32:22.000 1161898342 general Invalid licence: 0x00000005
26.10.2006 14:32:22.000 1161898342 general Err:The license key for this product is invalid or expired.
License

is valid until: Wednesday, December 31, 1969
Current date: Thursday, October 26, 2006
26.10.2006 14:32:38.000 1161898358 package Transferred files: 3
26.10.2006 14:32:38.000 1161898358 package Transferred bytes: 30
26.10.2006 14:32:38.000 1161898358 package Transfer time: 3750 ms
26.10.2006 14:32:38.000 1161898358 internet Sending stats

‘http://download8.avast.com/cgi-bin/iavs4stats.cgi’: 00000000 204
26.10.2006 14:32:38.000 1161898358 file NeedReboot=false
26.10.2006 14:32:38.000 1161898358 general Return code: 0x2000001A [The license key for this product is invalid

or expired.
License is valid until: Wednesday, December 31, 1969
Current date: Thursday, October 26, 2006]
26.10.2006 14:32:38.000 1161898358 general Stopped: 26.10.2006, 14:32:38

26.10.2006 16:33:11.000 1161905591 general Started: 26.10.2006, 16:33:11
26.10.2006 16:33:11.000 1161905591 general Running setup_av_pro-37c (892)
26.10.2006 16:33:11.000 1161905591 system Operating system: WindowsXP ver 5.1, build 2600, sp 2.0 [Service Pack

2]
26.10.2006 16:33:11.000 1161905591 system Computer WinName: DELL
26.10.2006 16:33:11.000 1161905591 system Windows Net User: SYSTEM
26.10.2006 16:33:11.000 1161905591 general Cmdline: /downloadpkgs /noreboot /updatenews /verysilent /nolog
26.10.2006 16:33:11.000 1161905591 general DldSrc set to inet
26.10.2006 16:33:11.000 1161905591 general Operation set to INST_OP_UPDATE_GET_PACKAGES
26.10.2006 16:33:11.000 1161905591 general Old version: 37c (892)
26.10.2006 16:33:12.000 1161905592 general SGW32P::CheckIfInstalled set m_bAlreadyInstalled to 1
26.10.2006 16:33:13.000 1161905593 system Computer DnsName: DELL
26.10.2006 16:33:13.000 1161905593 system Computer Ip Addr: XXX.XXX.X.XX
26.10.2006 16:33:13.000 1161905593 internet SYNCER: Type: use IE settings
26.10.2006 16:33:13.000 1161905593 internet SYNCER: Auth: another authentication, use WinInet
26.10.2006 16:33:13.000 1161905593 package Part prg_av_pro-37c is installed
26.10.2006 16:33:13.000 1161905593 package Part vps-63901 is installed
26.10.2006 16:33:13.000 1161905593 package Part news-4a is installed
26.10.2006 16:33:13.000 1161905593 package Part setup_av_pro-37c is installed
26.10.2006 16:33:13.000 1161905593 general Old version: 37c (892)
26.10.2006 16:33:30.000 1161905610 file SetExistingFilesBitmap: 904->140->140
26.10.2006 16:33:30.000 1161905610 general GUID: bcbfc958-08f5-4013-b578-842276e7e92d
26.10.2006 16:33:30.000 1161905610 general Server definition(s) loaded for ‘main’: 80 (maintenance:0)
26.10.2006 16:33:30.000 1161905610 general SelectCurrent: selected server ‘Download7 AVAST server’ from ‘main’
26.10.2006 16:33:30.000 1161905610 package GetPackages - set proxy for inet
26.10.2006 16:33:30.000 1161905610 internet SYNCER: Type: use IE settings
26.10.2006 16:33:30.000 1161905610 internet SYNCER: Auth: another authentication, use WinInet
26.10.2006 16:33:34.000 1161905614 general Used server: http://download7.avast.com/iavs4x
26.10.2006 16:33:35.000 1161905615 general Server definition(s) loaded for ‘main’: 80 (maintenance:0)
26.10.2006 16:33:35.000 1161905615 general SelectCurrent: selected server ‘Download52 AVAST server’ from ‘main’
26.10.2006 16:33:35.000 1161905615 package GetPackages - set proxy for inet
26.10.2006 16:33:35.000 1161905615 internet SYNCER: Type: use IE settings
26.10.2006 16:33:35.000 1161905615 internet SYNCER: Auth: another authentication, use WinInet
26.10.2006 16:33:35.000 1161905615 general Used server: http://download52.avast.com/iavs4x
26.10.2006 16:33:36.000 1161905616 general Used server: http://download52.avast.com/iavs4x
26.10.2006 16:33:36.000 1161905616 general Invalid licence: 0x00000005
26.10.2006 16:33:36.000 1161905616 general Err:The license key for this product is invalid or expired.
License

is valid until: Wednesday, December 31, 1969
Current date: Thursday, October 26, 2006
26.10.2006 16:33:36.000 1161905616 package Transferred files: 3
26.10.2006 16:33:36.000 1161905616 package Transferred bytes: 30
26.10.2006 16:33:36.000 1161905616 package Transfer time: 3703 ms
26.10.2006 16:33:37.000 1161905617 internet Sending stats

‘http://download52.avast.com/cgi-bin/iavs4stats.cgi’: 00000000 204
26.10.2006 16:33:37.000 1161905617 file NeedReboot=false
26.10.2006 16:33:37.000 1161905617 general Return code: 0x2000001A [The license key for this product is invalid

or expired.
License is valid until: Wednesday, December 31, 1969
Current date: Thursday, October 26, 2006]
26.10.2006 16:33:37.000 1161905617 general Stopped: 26.10.2006, 16:33:37

[system]

C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\Setup\setup.log

13:20:28 min/gen Return code: 0x2000001A [The license key for this product is invalid or expired.
License is valid until:

Wednesday, December 31, 1969
Current date: Thursday, October 26, 2006]
13:20:28 min/gen Stopped: 26.10.2006, 13:20:28

14:32:13 min/gen Started: 26.10.2006, 14:32:13
14:32:13 min/gen Running setup_av_pro-37c (892)
14:32:13 nrm/sys Operating system: WindowsXP ver 5.1, build 2600, sp 2.0 [Service Pack 2]
14:32:13 vrb/sys Computer WinName: DELL
14:32:13 min/sys Windows Net User: DELL\PC User
14:32:14 min/gen Cmdline: /downloadpkgs /noreboot /silent /progress
14:32:14 vrb/gen DldSrc set to inet
14:32:14 vrb/gen Operation set to INST_OP_UPDATE_GET_PACKAGES
14:32:14 min/gen Old version: 37c (892)
14:32:14 nrm/gen SGW32P::CheckIfInstalled set m_bAlreadyInstalled to 1
14:32:14 vrb/sys Computer DnsName: DELL
14:32:14 vrb/sys Computer Ip Addr: XXX.XXX.X.XX
14:32:15 nrm/int SYNCER: Type: use IE settings
14:32:15 nrm/int SYNCER: Auth: another authentication, use WinInet
14:32:15 vrb/pkg Part prg_av_pro-37c is installed
14:32:15 vrb/pkg Part vps-63901 is installed
14:32:15 vrb/pkg Part news-4a is installed
14:32:15 vrb/pkg Part setup_av_pro-37c is installed
14:32:15 min/gen Old version: 37c (892)
14:32:17 vrb/fil SetExistingFilesBitmap: 904->140->140
14:32:17 min/gen GUID: bcbfc958-08f5-4013-b578-842276e7e92d
14:32:17 nrm/gen Server definition(s) loaded for ‘main’: 80 (maintenance:0)
14:32:17 nrm/gen SelectCurrent: selected server ‘Download16 AVAST server’ from ‘main’
14:32:17 min/pkg GetPackages - set proxy for inet
14:32:17 nrm/int SYNCER: Type: use IE settings
14:32:17 nrm/int SYNCER: Auth: another authentication, use WinInet
14:32:17 dbg/gen Entered SetupProcessPro::Do( INST_OP_UPDATE_GET_PACKAGES )
14:32:17 dbg/gen Entered SetupProcessWin32Avast::Do( INST_OP_UPDATE_GET_PACKAGES )
14:32:17 dbg/gen Entered SetupProcessWin32::Do( INST_OP_UPDATE_GET_PACKAGES )
14:32:17 dbg/gen Entered SetupProcess::Do( INST_OP_UPDATE_GET_PACKAGES )
14:32:17 dbg/gen progress thread start
14:32:17 dbg/gen progress start - 1
14:32:18 dbg/gen progress start - 2
14:32:21 vrb/gen Used server: http://download16.avast.com/iavs4x
14:32:21 nrm/gen Server definition(s) loaded for ‘main’: 80 (maintenance:0)
14:32:21 nrm/gen SelectCurrent: selected server ‘Download8 AVAST server’ from ‘main’
14:32:21 min/pkg GetPackages - set proxy for inet
14:32:21 nrm/int SYNCER: Type: use IE settings
14:32:21 nrm/int SYNCER: Auth: another authentication, use WinInet
14:32:21 vrb/gen Used server: http://download8.avast.com/iavs4x
14:32:21 vrb/gen Used server: http://download8.avast.com/iavs4x
14:32:22 min/gen Invalid licence: 0x00000005
14:32:22 dbg/gen progress end - 1
14:32:22 min/gen Err:The license key for this product is invalid or expired.
License is valid until: Wednesday, December 31,

1969
Current date: Thursday, October 26, 2006
14:32:38 nrm/pkg Transferred files: 3
14:32:38 nrm/pkg Transferred bytes: 30
14:32:38 nrm/pkg Transfer time: 3750 ms
14:32:38 vrb/int Sending stats ‘http://download8.avast.com/cgi-bin/iavs4stats.cgi’: 00000000 204
14:32:38 vrb/fil NeedReboot=false
14:32:38 min/gen Return code: 0x2000001A [The license key for this product is invalid or expired.
License is valid until:

Wednesday, December 31, 1969
Current date: Thursday, October 26, 2006]
14:32:38 min/gen Stopped: 26.10.2006, 14:32:38

16:33:11 min/gen Started: 26.10.2006, 16:33:11
16:33:11 min/gen Running setup_av_pro-37c (892)
16:33:11 nrm/sys Operating system: WindowsXP ver 5.1, build 2600, sp 2.0 [Service Pack 2]
16:33:11 vrb/sys Computer WinName: DELL
16:33:11 min/sys Windows Net User: SYSTEM
16:33:11 min/gen Cmdline: /downloadpkgs /noreboot /updatenews /verysilent /nolog
16:33:11 vrb/gen DldSrc set to inet
16:33:11 vrb/gen Operation set to INST_OP_UPDATE_GET_PACKAGES
16:33:11 min/gen Old version: 37c (892)
16:33:12 nrm/gen SGW32P::CheckIfInstalled set m_bAlreadyInstalled to 1
16:33:13 vrb/sys Computer DnsName: DELL
16:33:13 vrb/sys Computer Ip Addr: XXX.XXX.X.XX
16:33:13 nrm/int SYNCER: Type: use IE settings
16:33:13 nrm/int SYNCER: Auth: another authentication, use WinInet
16:33:13 vrb/pkg Part prg_av_pro-37c is installed
16:33:13 vrb/pkg Part vps-63901 is installed
16:33:13 vrb/pkg Part news-4a is installed
16:33:13 vrb/pkg Part setup_av_pro-37c is installed
16:33:13 min/gen Old version: 37c (892)
16:33:30 vrb/fil SetExistingFilesBitmap: 904->140->140
16:33:30 min/gen GUID: bcbfc958-08f5-4013-b578-842276e7e92d
16:33:30 nrm/gen Server definition(s) loaded for ‘main’: 80 (maintenance:0)
16:33:30 nrm/gen SelectCurrent: selected server ‘Download7 AVAST server’ from ‘main’
16:33:30 min/pkg GetPackages - set proxy for inet
16:33:30 nrm/int SYNCER: Type: use IE settings
16:33:30 nrm/int SYNCER: Auth: another authentication, use WinInet
16:33:30 dbg/gen Entered SetupProcessPro::Do( INST_OP_UPDATE_GET_PACKAGES )
16:33:30 dbg/gen Entered SetupProcessWin32Avast::Do( INST_OP_UPDATE_GET_PACKAGES )
16:33:30 dbg/gen Entered SetupProcessWin32::Do( INST_OP_UPDATE_GET_PACKAGES )
16:33:30 dbg/gen Entered SetupProcess::Do( INST_OP_UPDATE_GET_PACKAGES )
16:33:34 vrb/gen Used server: http://download7.avast.com/iavs4x
16:33:35 nrm/gen Server definition(s) loaded for ‘main’: 80 (maintenance:0)
16:33:35 nrm/gen SelectCurrent: selected server ‘Download52 AVAST server’ from ‘main’
16:33:35 min/pkg GetPackages - set proxy for inet
16:33:35 nrm/int SYNCER: Type: use IE settings
16:33:35 nrm/int SYNCER: Auth: another authentication, use WinInet
16:33:35 vrb/gen Used server: http://download52.avast.com/iavs4x
16:33:36 vrb/gen Used server: http://download52.avast.com/iavs4x
16:33:36 min/gen Invalid licence: 0x00000005
16:33:36 min/gen Err:The license key for this product is invalid or expired.
License is valid until: Wednesday, December 31,

1969
Current date: Thursday, October 26, 2006
16:33:36 nrm/pkg Transferred files: 3
16:33:36 nrm/pkg Transferred bytes: 30
16:33:36 nrm/pkg Transfer time: 3703 ms
16:33:37 vrb/int Sending stats ‘http://download52.avast.com/cgi-bin/iavs4stats.cgi’: 00000000 204
16:33:37 vrb/fil NeedReboot=false
16:33:37 min/gen Return code: 0x2000001A [The license key for this product is invalid or expired.
License is valid until:

Wednesday, December 31, 1969
Current date: Thursday, October 26, 2006]
16:33:37 min/gen Stopped: 26.10.2006, 16:33:37

[system]

Here’s a resized screenshot of the error message. Sorry that the quality’s not outstanding but you get the idea…

http://www.deadenddrive-indvd.com/images/myspace_art/photos/avasterror.jpg

[Lisandro]

I see two possibilities:

1. You’ve used, even in the past, a non-legit avast key.
2. The Alwil robot that generates key has (or have had) a failure.

Alwil team should have a word here… ??? : :

[system]

I’ve never (knowingly) used a non-legit key and I acquired my key(s) through the standard registration process at avast.com. The last time (before this week) that I entered a registration key was months ago and the program performed and updated itself just fine up until a few days ago. Why would it just suddenly and sponteneously go all wonky now? And if there were a key generator problem, why does it seem that I’m the only one here with this problem? And why doesn’t my old (but still valid) reg key work any longer?

This is weird.

[Lisandro]

@chachi4life post:10

This is weird.

Yeah… that’s why I’ve asked for Alwil team help… :

[system]

Is your license key and expirations displayed correctly in About avast dialog?
Also check the permissions in registry “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Alwil Software\Avast\4.0”, it should have Administrators and SYSTEM set to Full Control