My Avast version 4.7 Home Edition used to update automatically, but from 09/8/2007 it has stopped and I cannot update virus database manually also. When I click the “update the virus database” button, nothing happens even though the internet connection is open. I have XP SP2, with broadband connection. Can this problem be solved?
How long have you had avast Home, do you need to re-register ?
Check about avast, expand the Registration Key section, is the Updates expiration in date ?
If not complete the avast! 4 Home Registration form and you will receive an email from register @ avast.com (without the spaces) with your registration key.
If it is, what is your firewall ?
Does it allow avast.setup internet access ?
- If it does delete the entry for it and do a manual update, this will force the firewall to ask permission again.
I seem to have a similar problem… ???
I have had Avast for over 3 years now and my Avast version 4.7 Home Edition has not had any automatic virus data base updates since the 9/22/07 000775-6 version.
If I need to re-register wouldn’t or shouldn’t Avast tell me this?
When I go into About Avast and to the the Registration Key Settings I find that the Update Expiration date is Sat, March 01 2008.
I would deduce from this that my registration is current.
Is there somewhere that I can find out what version is the most current so that I would know what my Virus Database should be current to?
I would think that 9/22/07 is a little old and that there should be a number of updates since then.
I have Virus database update set to “Automatic” like I always have up to now.
The home page lists current versions… http://www.avast.com/
^ Thanks for the info on the current virus VPS: 000777-1 26.9.2007.
Considering my version is 000775-6 22.9.2007 which is apparently a number of versions old, does anyone know why my AUTOMATIC updates have stopped? ???
I was able to MANUALLY update:
Information about current update:
Total time: 5:34
- Vps: Updated
(previous version: 000775-6, updated version: 000777-2)
Server: download48.avast.com (70.84.145.250)
Downloaded files: 9 (488.93 KB)
Download time: 2:08
I have not changed a thing on my computer (other than a new power supply a couple of weeks ago) in years. I do not have a firewall and have not changed any setting in Avast for years as well.
I have Virus database update set to “Automatic” like I always have.
Is there a current known problem with the AUTOMATIC update process?
You could start by checking the questions asked previously and see if they resolve the problem.
Thanks for getting back to me. 
I guess what you mean is the questions in the second post of this thread:
How long have you had avast Home, do you need to re-register ? Check about avast, expand the Registration Key section, is the Updates expiration in date ? If not complete the avast! 4 Home Registration form and you will receive an email from register @ avast.com (without the spaces) with your registration key.If it is, what is your firewall ?
Does it allow avast.setup internet access ?
If it does delete the entry for it and do a manual update, this will force the firewall to ask permission again.
Actually I had posted above the answers to these question if that is what you are refering to…
I have had Avast for over 3 years.
When I go into About Avast and to the the Registration Key Settings I find that the Update Expiration date is Sat, March 01 2008.
I don’t have a firewall and haven’t added or changed any software or changed any settings for years including settings in Avast.
I don’t know what this question means:
Does it allow avast.setup internet access ?
But I can dial-in and connect to the internet and Avast is checking for Virus’s as it usually does as far as I can tell (the ball revolves and my processes are running as usual).
I did a manual update which worked as I posted before which resulted in:
- Vps: Updated
(previous version: 000775-6, updated version: 000777-2)
It is just that the automatic virus update no longer works.
As I posted before I have Virus database update set to “Automatic” like I always have up to now.
Since I have not changed any Avast settings since the program used to update automatically I wouldn’t think any setting would be an issue but if there are any other settings other than the setting to have the database update set to “automatic” then I would sure appreciate any help with any other settings that I may not know about.
As my signature denotes I am using WIN98SE, does anyone know of a problem as far as Avast having trouble with “automatic” updates since 9/22/07 which was the last time my “automatic” update occurred in some cases?
As far as the most current VPS update available 19monty64 was kind enough to tell me where to find this info. When I go to that web page I find the following for the Latest Updates: VPS: 000777-1 26.9.2007
I noticed that when I ran the manual update I have the following: updated version: 000777-2.
Is the web link: http://www.avast.com/ just not updated to the latest yet since it seems the manual update on my computer appears to be more current than the web page?
Thanks so much in advance for any assistance.
Yes, you have the correct version, updated 9.27.2007. Another forum I go to is behind a little also. I think it’s maybe a long weekend?
No, no problem with auto updates here.
Avast.setup is a file created when avast checks for updates. It needs access through the firewall. Since you said you don’t have a firewall, obviously access for this file is not the problem. Avast.setup disappears after it has done it’s thing.
But there is something definately wrong. I’m not sure if manual and auto use the exact same process. What is your program version?
^ Program version 4.7.942.
It has been working all along until 9/22/07. I am reluctant to upgrade since I had such a bad experience before in regards to problems with WIN98SE on a past upgrade and had to go back to the one I use now.
I’m happy with my version as long as it works for me. 
I just noticed that it is actually the same version you have based on your sig ;D
I might add that my VRDB auto update hasn’t worked since 3/1/07 and brought it up awhile back in this forum but no answers. I can live with this not working but the VPS auto update is obviously much more critical.
Yes same version as you. I’m just waiting for a forced update to see if it will fail, as most others have. Some time ago a request was made for a failed update program to analyze. It might be something they can fix, to help out us who have older oses.
Perhaps someone more up on the way auto and manual update work willcheck in soon. For now all I can really suggest is regular daily manual updates.
Sorry I couldn’t help you more.
The webpage is updated a little bit after the users themselves. Seems logical: first protection, than information.
You must update to the latest one 4.7.1043 to continue to receive automatic updates, maybe.
It should work each 21 days. Are you running it at screen-saver time or when computer is idle. If you manually compile it, will it be build?
Thanks Tech for the help.
Okay, makes just as much sense for Avast to update the web page when a new version is built but I’ll go with that.
I am waiting on the webpage to update to a VPS version NEWER than mine and then hoping and actually expecting the AUTOMATIC update to work again now that I have manually ran the VPS update. My thinking is that Avast anticipates “quirks” in the software and possibly reset’s registry “flag” settings on MANUAL VPS updates so that when I dial-up to connect the Avast engine will “ping” for lack of better terminology Avast for a new connection for VPS upload to work again and the new VPS data base version will be recognized and AUTOMTIC update will process correctly again. ;D
Not sure why this would be necessary… The current Avast program Version 4.7.1043 has a version date of September 6, 2007. Since my AUTOMATIC updates have worked up until 9/22/07 then I wouldn’t think this could be a problem. ???
Yes I know it should process every 21 days, that is the problem. But I’m really only concerned with the VPS automatic update since this is so much more critical nevertheless address this below.
I am using the “computer idle” setting. I had been using the “screen saver” setting but changed to the “computer idle” setting after the problems.
I have manually ran the update the first time VRDB didn’t work around 10 months ago and if I recall it DID AUTOMATICALLY update again in approx 21 days but then as before stopped working again. I would presume that if I do another MANUAL update then the AUTOMATIC will probably work again but maybe stop again after that as before. I will try this again and manually update.
This is why I am hoping and expecting that the VPS AUTOMATIC update will work again once a NEW VPS version is available after I have MANUALLY done a VPS update. If not then I am at a loss since it is clear my AUTOMATIC update has worked previously with the CURRENT Avast program version. I just have a feeling that the MANUAL update will fix the problem. I will probably reboot my computer as well at some point to clear cache and registry settings as another alternative if nothing else works.
Are you still having the same proglem… Haven’t hear from you…
Have you REBOOTED your system?
Sometimes my system get’s so “cluttered” that functions of Avast or even other programs as well just don’t work right and a REBOOT ends up solving the problem.
For example if I do not reboot for a very long time Avast will have a problem where when I hover over a selection such as VPS update or others as well on the Avast option list (left click on the Avast icon) as the list just simply disappears but have found that a reboot has solved this problem in the past.
In my case before I actually do a reboot I am first waiting on an new version to be available since my last manual update to see if just running the manual update fixed the problem with the AUTOMATIC update not working issue.
I am starting to wonder how long I will have to wait however as far as a NEW VPS version is available sense the Avast web page has not updated the current VPS version since 9/26/07 and I actually have an even more current version uploaded MANUALLY.
It kind of concerns me that the Avast Web Page still has the VPS: 000777-1 26.9.2007 as the current version even though the current version VPS: 000777-2 28.9.2007 is 2 days more current than the 1 listed on the Web Page and it has been over 24 hours since the current 000777-2 version was made available.
I would have expected the Web Page to have reflected the current VPS version by now. ???
I’d like to take the opportunity to thank oldman for continuing to try and help out on this issue that I noticed in another thread on the forum.
Hopefully a setting based on the manual update or if nothing else a reboot will solve the problem. ;D If we finally get another VPS version updated to see if it is solved that is… … just waiting…
You can’t do everything at the same time. If the webpage is the first, will be worse.
avast never does this.
Virus database updates aren’t the same as program upgrades.
It’s necessary: new features, new engine improvements, etc.
Repairing (through Control Panel) your avast installation could help too.
avast checks if there is an available connection each 40 seconds.
If there isn’t, wait more 40 seconds to check. Checking does not take more than one second and, of course, does not use the Internet band.
If there is a connection, check for an update. If there is not any new file to download, wait 4 hours to start checking again. If there is an available update, start it and install it. Again, wait 4 hours to check the next time.
Some of this settings could be configurated different, I posted the default values of the avast4.ini file.
The program updates are released but to avoid excessive load on the servers the auto update check happens randomically every 7 days and it’s not checking every time you connect to the Internet as with the iAVS checks. Every avast installation has a unique, randomly generated GUID (“general unique identifier”) associated with it (it is generated during installation). This ID is random, but fixed. They use this value to determine when the updater pops up on YOUR machine, i.e., the program already knows that the update is there, but it won’t tell you until it’s your turn.
Thanks Tech for the reply.
Understood however not to be picky but it is just that the VPS version is over 24 hours old now and the Web Page still has the prior version as current.
Also one other point is that since my AUTOMATIC update does not work and if the Avast web page is actually not current even up until a 24 hour period then it would mean to me that I would not be able to rely on this to know when and if I need to do a MANUAL VPS update and as a result would have to simply run a MANUAL VPS update possibly every hour or so that I am on the net in the event that a new VPS version is availble in order to be current as far as protection is concerned. Clearly an inconvenience that I hope can soon be solved.
Thanks for the info, I won’t bother to wait for another VPS version to see if the AUTOMATIC update is fixed as a result of running the MANUAL vps update based on what you have said here and will just go ahead and reboot my system hoping that this could help as I mentioned before. I was going to wait and see if just the MANUAL update made the difference as a consequence of the MANUAL VPS update but won’t have to now that you say it won’t make a difference.
If by chance the AUTOMATIC VPS update starts working again then I can base it on my reboot and not the MANUAL update as you imply would be the case here.
I understand that VPS updates are seperate from Avast PROGRAM upgrades.
What I am saying here is that I can’t see why a more current Avast PROGRAM version would be a factor in impacting the performance of the VPS AUTOMATIC updates since my CURRENT PROGRAM version has been in use since January 15, 2007 and has been working as far as the AUTOMATIC VPS updates all of this time up until 9/22/07. Thus the Avast program version should still continue to work as far as Virus database (VPS) updates are concerned.
Well you have said already above that the MANUAL update will NOT fix the AUTOMATIC VPS update problem as a consequence of running the AUTOMATIC VPS update. So since I have not reset anything in Avast or made any changes of any kind I will go ahead and reboot to see if this clears some kind of setting or simply frees up enough RAM in my computer locally to impact the AUTOMATIC VPS update.
Thank you for the added info, I was actually aware of how the AUTOMATIC UPDATE is checked by Avast for the VPS versions but did not know about how the Avast program updates are done, thanks again. I actually have the Avast program updates turned off since I have had issues with a newer version as far as compatability with WIN98SE in the past and have elected to stay with the program version I currently have for now.
With that said, my point is that for the VPS versions the AUTOMATIC update will not actually occur until a newer VPS version for the Virus database becomes available and I was just waiting on this to happen to see if just running the AUTOMATIC update manually would have made the difference. But now that you say that the AUTOMATIC update does nothing as far as checking or reseting in flags in the program or the registry that may have been inadvertantly changed then I will go ahead and reboot and hope that when a new VPS version does become available that the reboot will have helped to make the AUTOMATIC update work again since as I have said I have done nothing to change any settings myself and Avast Update settings for my program is set to “automatic” VPS updates as it always has been.
Just for the fun of, if you haven’t already checked the ini file, see if this line is present.
VPSUpdate=Automatic
ini is located C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\DATA. The line is in the common section, right below the list of languages.
when looking for this value, it is in the [Common] section of avast4.ini, mine is set to VPSUpdate=Ask being on dial-up I don’t let anything on my system connect automatically to the Internet.
Thanks so much for all of the help it is greatly appreciated. This is a great forum and in many ways much better support than I ever got in the past when I had Norton AV.
But just as I suspected after I REBOOT my computer without me doing anything else the Automatic VPS worked and updated automatically from VPS: 000777-2 28.9.2007 to VPS: 000777-3 29.9.2007 when I dialed in and connected to the Internet a few minutes ago.
Based on what Tech posted stating that running a MANUAL update would not impact how the AUTOMATIC update will work:
I have to assume it was the REBOOT that fixed the problem, since I went ahead and reboot my computer taking into consideration that there was no reason to wait and see if the AUTOMATIC update would have made any difference. ???
To answer your posts:
Mine is set to VPSUpdate=Automatic.
This of course corresponds to the setting found PROGRAM SETTING (BASIC) for Virus Database Updates that is set to “AUTOMATIC”. And would to have had to have been the setting all along since I have never changed anything on Avast.
Since this would only be related to Avast I don’t mind or actually prefer Avast to go ahead and connect to upload the VPS update without a prompt which I presume “Ask” would do. I’m just happy when things just work as they should and prefer to keep things simple. Unless DavidR you actually feel there is some inherent risk doing it this way considering the ini file is as I said only for Avast anyway.
Just wondering if either of you or anyone else would be in agreement that the problem had to have been resolved by the REBOOT and COULD NOT have had anything to do with running the MANUAL VPS update based on Tech’s post regarding what a MANUAL VPS update does not do (as far as reseting anything as a consequence of the MANUAL VPS)? ??? ???
There is no way for me to know for sure either way as far as if the VPS: 000777-3 29.9.2007 version was ready to upload before I rebooted my computer and would then prove that the AUTOMATIC update was still not working up until I rebooted even after the MANUAL update or the VPS: 000777-3 29.9.2007 version was simply available after the reboot and would have worked due to the MANUAL VPS update regardless of the reboot. ???
I have to always keep in mind to reboot my computer when I have problems, I just didn’t think that this would make a difference with the AUTOMATIC VPS update with Avast, however. ???
Again thanks alot guys.
avast only checks for an update if a connection is actually present, it can’t establish a connection. The only difference between automatic and ask is they both check for updates, if one is found and your setting is automatic it will download and install the VPS update.
If set to Ask it will notify you an update is available and you click the notification window to download it if you aren’t busy.
Running a manual update won’t change any settings, it is a one shot deal like scheduling a boot-time scan (not available with win98), it happens once and if you want to do it ajain you have to select it again.
The reboot can often resolve a number of issues and win98 can at times be a little particular, especially if running short of system resources.