Update stopped working

Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security
1

I have recently experienced an issue where Update seemingly just stopped working.
Free version, current registration good until 2013, configured for Automatic updates.
OS Windows Vista, Windows Firewall exception in place.

Virus definitions
Current version: 120807-1
Release date: 8/7/2012
Your virus definitions are out of date! Latest virus definitions: 120815-1
Last update attempt: 8/15/2012

Attempting to manually update virus definitions results in:

STEP 1/2
Initializing, please wait…

and it simply stalls there. No further response regardless of how long I wait.

Program
Current version: 6.0.1289
A new version of the program is available! Latest program version 7.0.1456

Attempting to manually update program results in:

STEP 2/3
File downloaded: vps_32-888-887.vpx

with a progress bar that appears to be about one third progressed.
Update simply hangs here with no further response regardless of how long I wait.

Suggestions?

2
  1. Download avast! Free Antivirus: http://files.avast.com/iavs5x/avast_free_antivirus_setup.exe
  2. Follow instructions: http://www.avast.com/uninstall-utility (Run this tool for all prior installed avast! versions…!!)
  3. Reinstall avast! with the downloaded installer from point 1.
  4. Reboot.
3

I have essentially the same problem as tobynn and tried to follow Asyn’s instructions.

However, when I try to uninstall the old Avast prior to installing anew I get this:

Error reading product date from C:\Program Files\AVAST\Software\Avast\ Setup cannot continue

Any help appreciated.

4

Actually, I have managed to uninstall and re-install, following other instructions found elsewhere.

Thanks anyway - normal service seems to have been resumed.

5

Thanks for the links, Asyn.

Nothing a good remove and install won’t fix!

6

You’re welcome.