Unable to Update Avast

Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security
1

I am using avast on my laptop with Vista from last couple of weeks i am unble to update the Avast.Whenever i try to update avast i get -

Information about current update:
Last encountered error: Cannot connect to a751sl.avast.com (208.43.153.11:80).

Total time: 9:26

Today i re-installed the new version also but getting the same error again! What i should do now?
Most surprising thing is that i am unable to update any antivirus software on my system (i tried AVG and Macfee)!! Please help.

2

That error is commonly associated with firewall blocking the avast update function.

What is your firewall ?
Does it allow avast.setup internet access ?

  • If it does delete the entry for it and do a manual update and reconnect to the internet, this will force the firewall to ask permission again.

You may have complicated issues with installing multiple AVs, so you need to ensure that avast is the only AV running on your system. If you haven’t already uninstalled them using windows add remove programs to uninstall them, you should do so.

I would also suggest going a step further to ensure there are no remnants.
McAfee has an uninstall tool that you could run to ensure any possible remnants are removed.
http://download.mcafee.com/products/licensed/cust_support_patches/VSCleanupTool.exe Or http://majorgeeks.com/McAfee_Consumer_Product_Removal_Tool_d5420.html

2007 version - http://download.mcafee.com/products/licensed/cust_support_patches/MCPR.exe

Also see - How do I uninstall SecurityCenter? http://ts.mcafeehelp.com/faq3.asp?docid=71525

AVG8 Remover, download tool from here, http://www.grisoft.com/ww.download-tools there is a 32bit and 64 bit windows version, ensure you use the correct one.

3

Thanks a ton for your reply.I am using windows firewall with security center.Other AVs which are still installed on my system are SPYWare Doctor(using free version from last couple of year) and Threatfire(installed a week ago only).

Can you please guide me where to see whether avast.setup is allowed by firewall or not? Also how to do the manual update(I guess manually clicking on update now button on avast interface).

Should i un install Threatfire and Spyware doctor?

Thanks again!

4

Sorry I don’t use Vista, so I don’t use its firewall. However the Vista firewalls outbound protection isn’t enabled by default (so shouldn’t block avast), if you enabled it then you need to create a rule for it, but I can’t help with that.

You could also enable the outbound protection of the Vista firewall, but it isn’t very friendly, is rule based and you have to create the rules. - Vista Firewall Control, check out this topic for some user friendly help for the Vista Firewall, Outbound protection, http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=30234.0

Are you able to do a manual update (right click the avast ‘a’ icon, select Updating, iAVS Update) ?

I don’t believe Spyware Doctor would get in the way, though there have been some strange Threatfire interactions reported in the forums, though I can’t recall if any impacted on the updates. Though you could try an uninstall of it and reboot, see if it makes any difference.

First thing you need to ensure that all remnants of the other AVs are gone, or it would invalidate any of the above tests.

5

I’m using Vista Firewall Control Free and its OK and does enable outbound protection so it is all I need so far.

6

Well, i suggest you to scan you computer with Malwarebytes, or Super Anti Spyware, to be sure it is not spyware/malware/adware blocking your AV connection. I had alike problems with some laptops, and it was indeed malware/spyware/adware. And after deletion, i installed latest Avast, and it worked well.

You can download malwarebytes at http://download.cnet.com/Malwarebytes-Anti-Malware/3000-8022_4-10804572.html?part=dl-10804572&subj=dl&tag=button

Or SuperAntiSpyware at http://superantispyware.com/downloadfile.html?productid=SUPERANTISPYWAREFREE

Hope this helps you! Take care.