I have read a number of posts concerning problems of updating Avast because I’m suffering from this problem as well. However, none of the proposed solutions provide a cure for Avast Pro. This problem has only occurred since a reinstall of Pro
The problem manifests itself as an error report “cannot connect to the server”.
I have carried out the following:-
Checked the update settings and all appears correct.
Restarted computer, no effect.
Shutdown Comodo firewall.
Manual update shows same error
Uninstalled Avast Pro using aswclear.exe
Uninstalled Avast Pro using aswclear.exe
Re-installed Avast after reboot. No resolution.
Uninstalled Avast Pro using aswclear.exe
Installed Avast Home and updates work fine, both manual and automatic
Checked and noted update settings in Program Settings
Updated Home to Pro and updates fail again.
??? :-[ >:(
My system is an AMD 64 bit processor, 2 Gb RAM, 80 Gb HDD with 38 Gb free, XP Pro SP 3, Malwarebytes and Comodo firewall.
I think that you should leave the firewall on but take the following specific actions, as the program has effectively been updated and could well be blocked even if the firewall is shutdown.
Does it allow avast.setup internet access ?
If it does delete the entry for it and do a manual update, this should force the firewall to ask permission again.
Thanks for your response DavidR. The firewall was re-instated. However, I don’t think it is firewall related as updates fail even with the firewall shutdown.
Also, it seems strange that Avast Home updates without trouble. I’ve checked the updates configuration for Home and compared the Pro configuration and they are the same.
Shutting down doesn’t always work as there are other elements like defense+, etc. that aren’t shut down.
That is why the suggestion is to remove entries for avast.setup in the firewall (and defence+ or whatever it is called) to force comodo to ask permission again.
Other than that I’m at a bit of loss as there should be no difference between the Home and Pro versions relating to updates.
Check the Proxy settings in avast Program Settings, Update (Connections), Proxy button and unless you use a proxy to connect to the internet (?) set it to Direct Connection (no proxy).
I have done as suggested and set the connection as direct. Same problem.
Uninstalled Comodo entirley. Same result. Downloaded and installed Outpost Firewall. Same result. I can only assume that this is an Avast problem.
I haven’t the slightest Idea of what it might be, but if this were a common failing in avast, there would be masses of posts about it, the forums would be lit up and I don’t see that.
The error message still points at some form of blocking or conflict and whilst I’m no expert on these matters, the log seems to indicate you are using your own DNS via a router:
So I don’t know if the router might be blocking, I’m on dial-up and have never used a router so I don’t know if yours has outbound blocking functions ?
The log seems to shows it is using the IE Settings:
26.11.2009 13:39:20 internet: SYNCER: Type: use IE settings
26.11.2009 13:39:20 internet: SYNCER: Auth: another authentication, use WinInet
26.11.2009 13:39:20 internet: while trying to get file 'servers.def.vpu', error 0x20000004 has occured, try 1
26.11.2009 13:39:20 internet: ERROR:HttpGetWininet, catch returned 0x00002EFD
26.11.2009 13:39:20 general: InvalidateCurrent: invalidated server 'Download687 AVAST Server' from 'main'
26.11.2009 13:39:20 general: SelectCurrent: selected server 'Download645 AVAST Server' from 'main'
26.11.2009 13:39:20 internet: SYNCER: Type: use IE settings
So I suggest that you change the avast settings to no proxy, as I suggested in my last post.
Settings are set to NO Proxy. What I fail to understand is why the Home version updates perfectly yet my installation of Pro doesn’t. Settings are exactly the same and the access pathway is the same for both so why would a router block Pro and allow Home: should be transparent.
I agree with you about this not being a common problem exactly for the reasons given. However, if we can find out the root cause this may help someone in the future.
Have just tried without going through a local router. Sad to say no difference. What I’ll do is make a clean install of XP and Avast on another HHD with nothing else on it and see what happens.
I have tried a clean re-install of XP and Avast. Problem solved. As I re-install my other programmes I’ll check to see if any of them are causing a conflict.
I have completed a clean re-install of XP and all the programmes included in my previous installation. The auto-update of Avast works perfectly. So I can throw no further light on the original problem.