Updating...Still a Problem!

Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security
1

I’m running Build 4.7.844 of the free Avast! on a WIN XP, SP2 system with all critical updates. My registration key is valid.
I’m unable to update either the program or the iAVS, either automatically or manually. This has happened in the past, and the only solution was to re-install the program. I’d like to avoid that if possible.
Any help would be much appreciated.

2

everyone keeps saying to replace the servers.def file, but that didn’t help for me. what OS are you running?

3

In update failures you could check:

  1. If the servers.def file is corrupt or 0KB (C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\Setup\servers.def).
    You can try and download the servers.def file, http://files.avast.com/iavs4x/servers.def and replace the one in the avast setup folder.

  2. As you’re saying your subscription is ok… (not expired), go to 3) 8)

  3. Hally, do you use a firewall? If your firewall settings and allow avast.setup to connect.
    If you’re not sure, just turn off your firewall (to be sure the update failure is not due to it).
    Maybe you should ‘remove’ avast.setup entry, try to update, receiving a new alert from the firewall, allowing it and checking it to remember.

  4. Check your proxy settings into avast!:
    Left click the avast icon > Settings
    Update (Basic) > Details > Proxy
    Make sure your browser is not set to “Work Offline” (this option is generally in the File menu).
    If it doesn’t help, try switching the proxy settings from “Auto-detect” to “No proxy” (I’m assuming you’re not connecting to the Internet via proxy).

4

hally826,
Did you not see Tech’s response to your original Topic http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=22089.msg183679#msg183679 ?
Please don’t make duplicate posts for the same problem, it only duplicates the work of those trying to help.

Since that Topic includes the line:

(error message says 'can't select any server for downloading from 0')
This would indicate avast.setup isn't being blocked by your firewall and usually indicates file corruption or 0KB size for the servers.def
5

Sorry, DavidR, I didn’t see the previous reply (I’m still trying to familiarize myself with the mechanics of the forum).

Thanks to you and to Tech for your help; I’ll try those suggestions.

 Hally826
6

You can set-up your profile information (Notifications and Email section) so you receive emails when someone answers a Topic you started or someone posts in a topic in which you have participated.

So provided you haven’t blocked the emails or a spam filter deletes them you should get notified when someone replies.

Welcome to the forums and the avast family.

7

Thank goodness, I am not the only one having this problem. I have tried to download the server file to the setup file…no such luck. what else can I do short of re-installing the program? :o

8

Hi LadyGriffon…here’s what finally worked for me.

First, following Tech’s advice, I tried downloading the servers.def file from http://files.avast.com/iavs4x/servers.def; this page is just a list of servers available. I couldn’t figure out how to grab the actual file.

Second, again on Tech’s advice, I made sure my firewall (ZoneAlarm free) was set to allow all Avast programs, including the update. Still no joy on updating Avast.

Finally, in desperation, I went to the avast.com homepage (probably shoulda started there :stuck_out_tongue: ) . I went to ‘download updates’ (top menus), then to ‘update avast! 4x VPS’. I grabbed the vpsupd.exe file there. I ran it, and my updating problem was corrected. Hope this helps!

Thanks to all here who put me onto the right track!

9

You can copy & paste the content of this downloaded file and OVERWRITE the old file content.

What happens if you DISABLE ZoneAlarm completelly?

Ok, but after this ‘off-line’ update, can you manually or automatically update avast through the ‘normal’ procedure?

10

Sorry for the slow comeback; had some personal issues to deal with…

Tech wrote:
Ok, but after this ‘off-line’ update, can you manually or automatically update avast through the ‘normal’ procedure?

Reply:
No, Tech; I was able for a day or two to update manually from the right-click menu. However, Avast wouldn’t update itself automatically. After 3 or 4 days, neither Avast’s automatic nor my manual update worked anymore.

Tech wrote:
You can copy & paste the content of this downloaded file and OVERWRITE the old file content.

Reply:
Once you explained the need to copy/paste and overwrie, the manual update worked again (Garybeck, take note; FYI, I’m running XP Pro with SP2 and all critical updates). I’m looking forward to boot-up tomorrow to see if automatic update functions again as it used to.

Tech wrote:
What happens if you DISABLE ZoneAlarm completelly?

Reply:
I would have tried this next if replacing the servers.def file failed. Fortunately, it worked (at least manually, for now).

Thanks agaiin, Tech, for your help and thanks also to all those who responded.

 Hal
11

Hally, still waiting for news… Hope we can win this ‘update’ battle… :-\