Re: Can't Update Spyware or Anti-Virus

Last session Windows installed the latest XP update and...

When (date) did this "last session" occur?

Go to http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com & click on "Review your update history" in left pane: What updates were installed during this "last session"?

[AFAIK, no critical security updates for WinXP SP3 have been released since 14 Apr-09.]

I have AVG 7.5 Free

<QP>
We would like to inform you that support of AVG 7.5 FREE edition was discontinued on April 30th, 2009. This applies to both virus and program updates.

AVG 7.5 Free Edition is still working, however no new updates are being downloaded. When the AVG virus database is outdated we cannot ensure that AVG 7.5 Free Edition will protect your computer agains the newest threats.

If you are still running AVG 7.5 Free Edition version, we strongly recommend that you upgrade to AVG 8.5 Free Edition. The upgrade to AVG 8.5 Free Edition is available free of charge.
</QP>
Source: http://free.avg.com/faq.num-1855#faq_1855

AVG Free v7.5 was replaced by v8.0 about a year ago. AVG Free v8.0 was replaced by AVG 8.5 several months ago. As of this post, the current version is v8.5.325. I *know* that AVG v7.5 have been receiving prompts to upgrade for almost a year now. Haven't you seen these prompts or have you been ignoring them?

I'd strongly recommend that you proceed as follows:

1. Download the installer for AVG v8.5 and SAVE it to your desktop (do not RUN it): http://www.avg.com/filedir/inst/avg_free_stf_en_85_325a1500.exe

2. Physically disconnect your computer from the internet.

3. Close all open applications (anything with a taskbar icon) and uninstall AVG 7.5 via Add/Remove Programs, rebooting at the prompt.

4. Double-click on the file you saved in #1 above to install AVG 8.5. Select a CUSTOM install, if offered, and do NOT install LinkScanner (conflicts with IE8's SmartScreen filter) or either of the email scanning components (cf. http://thundercloud.net/infoave/tutorials/email-scanning/index.htm).

5. Reboot at the prompt and reconnect to the internet to complete the installation/registration of AVG Free 8.5. (If you've already registered your email address & PW for accessing AVG Free Forum, you needn't do so again.)

6a. Assuming you can do so, manually and repeatedly update AVG until you get a "no more updates available" prompt.

6b. If need be, you can download the latest Definitions from this page: http://free.avg.com/download-update (You want the AVI file, not the IAVI file). Save the download to your desktop.

To install, open the AVG UI | From top menu "Tools" select "Update from directory" option | Browse to the desktop and select the saved file (e.g., u7avi15117s.bin).

7. Reboot into Safe Mode and run a full system scan.

Truth be told, the symptoms you describe point to a hijackware infection. The AVG scan in #7 above may only be the first of many diasgnostic and clean-up steps you'll need to take.
--
~PA Bear


Scott wrote:
<paste>
I upgraded to IE 8 about 3-4 weeks ago; no problems.

IE connects fine I have no other discernible problems with my internet
connection

I am running Win XP SP3

I can connect to Windows Update through Start menu.

I looked through "Add/Remove Programs" for an update number from the other
day but it only shows updates from 4/16 back and I know I've had more recent
ones than that.

I have AVG 7.5 Free
</paste>
Sorry, forgot to add that Spysweeper I purchased [but] MBAM is the free
download.

"PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:
Please state your IE version and full Windows version (e.g., WinXP SP3).

What updates were installed? Was IE8 one of them? Does IE connect
successfully?

What version of AVG is installed (e.g., AVG Free 7.5)? Have you purchased
SpySweeper and/or MBAM?

Can you access Windows Update via the Start menu shortcut?
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Client - since 2002


Scott wrote:
Last session Windows installed the latest XP update and now I am unable to
download updates any of my spyware/virus programs.

I am running Spysweeper, AVG and MalwareBytes. When I try and run updates
for all three I am told there is a problem connecting to the internet.
never
had a glitch like this and the only thing that is differeent is that a
Windows update was installed last seesion.

Also Spysweeper does not load on the system tray and I can't open the
program from the desktop at all.

My internet connection is fine. I tried re-booting and turning of Windows
firewall. NO change. I am not running any other firewall.

HELP!

Scott

.

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