Security Center says Defender is turned off

[Guest]

I have Windows Defender running normally on Windows Vista (the task-bar icon
is showing that Defender is on and running ok) but the Security Center is
telling me that Windows Defender is turned off and there is a button to turn
it on. However, when I press the Turn On button (even though I know it is
already turned on) I get the message: "Security Center is updating
definitions for Window Defender". After "searching for definitions" I get
the message: "There are no new definitions available to download for Windows
Defender". I'd like to solve this because the Security Center icon is always
showing me that I have a Security Alert.

 

[Guest]

I am having exactly the same problem.

Has anyone found a solution for this yet?

 

[Guest]

I have the same problem, also Windows Security Centre does not recognise AVG,
however AVG is supposed to be Vista compatible. Surely seeing as this is a
Microsoft forum, you would think that someone from Microsoft could reply to
these problems!

 

[Guest]

I have Windows Defender running normally on Windows Vista (the task-bar icon
is showing that Defender is on and running ok) but the Security Center is
telling me that Windows Defender is turned off and there is a button to turn
it on. However, when I press the Turn On button (even though I know it is
already turned on) I get the message: "Security Center is updating
definitions for Window Defender". After "searching for definitions" I get
the message: "There are no new definitions available to download for Windows
Defender". I'd like to solve this because the Security Center icon is always
showing me that I have a Security Alert.

I have a slightly different problem, Windows Defender pops up and says a
program turned it off. I sure didn't and I don't know what is doing this.

 

[Guest]

I have Windows Defender running normally on Windows Vista (the task-bar icon
is showing that Defender is on and running ok) but the Security Center is
telling me that Windows Defender is turned off and there is a button to turn
it on. However, when I press the Turn On button (even though I know it is
already turned on) I get the message: "Security Center is updating
definitions for Window Defender". After "searching for definitions" I get
the message: "There are no new definitions available to download for Windows
Defender". I'd like to solve this because the Security Center icon is always
showing me that I have a Security Alert.

I have a slightly different problem, Windows Defender pops up and says a
program turned it off. I sure didn't and I don't know what is doing this.

 

[Dave M]

Are you running Microsoft's Windows Live OneCare suite, Christine?

 

[Guest]

No

Windows XP SP2 -- up to date on all patches and hotfixes
IE7 -- up to date
Norton Internet Security 2006 - current on all updates
Counterspy 2.1.917 - up to date
Webroot Spy Sweeper version 5 something, current on definitions as of 3/28

Windows Defender is installed last and I installed it yesterday 3/27 after
removing the Beta version. Norton, Counterspy and Spy Sweeper are set up to
do weekly scans on the weekend.

Christine

 

[Dave M]

OK, in that case here are a few other things I can think of for you to
check...

Is the Windows Defender Service on Automatic and showing Started status?...
right click My Computer > Manage > Services and Applications > Services

Are your versions current in Help about WD? It should show:
Windows Defender Version: 1.1.1593.0

Engine Version: 1.1.2306.0

Definition Version: 1.16.2428.7

 

[Guest]

Yes to all - Christine

OK, in that case here are a few other things I can think of for you to
check...

Is the Windows Defender Service on Automatic and showing Started status?...
right click My Computer > Manage > Services and Applications > Services

Are your versions current in Help about WD? It should show:
Windows Defender Version: 1.1.1593.0

Engine Version: 1.1.2306.0

Definition Version: 1.16.2428.7

 

[Dave M]

Have you rebooted since you installed WD? Are MsMpEng.exe and MSASCui.exe
shown as running Processes in Task Manager after you get this message? If
they're still both shown in Task Manager, I have doubts that Defender is
really turned off.

How often are you getting that message, and what's the name of the program
that's "turning off" Defender if you know. Can you start Defender again if
it's stopped by using the Start button > Programs > Windows Defender? and
if so, how long does WD run before the message re-appears.... are there any
error codes associated with it? Can you give us the exact balloon popup
msg text?

Also, are any yellow warning or red error Windefend events listed in your
System Event Log at the same time the message appears?

 

[Guest]

My mistake - I got the message again this AM, it says a 'problem' caused it
to turn off. I get a text box that has a link to turn on and activate
Defender, which I do.

I checked the Event Viewer - there is nothing obvious going on, no red or
yellow events associated with this. The info items simply say it is
disabled, and then stopped.

I don't recall if I rebooted after installing Defender. I would have if the
program calls for it after install. I do follow the install instructions. I
will try a reboot and if it shuts off again I'll look for those two processes
before making any assumptions.

Christine

 

[Dave M]

OK, in that case backing up... if it happens again it might be a faulty
install and you could try a repair install from the add/remove of Control
Panel. At least it's not a program that's stalking the Anti-Spyware
functionality. Thanks for the clarification, as I let out a sigh of
relief... lol

 

[Guest]

Hi Dave, I read what you asked Christine and checked mine.
Defender Service is showing Automatic and Started status but the Windows
Defender Version is different than what you said, it's: 1.1.1505.0 (Engine
version and definition version are as you said.)
Could this be because I have the Defender that came with Vista? Do you
think I should download another version?

 

[Dave M]

Hi Hornet;

I don't have Vista so I tend to not to get over my head or ability to take
a look at, but I do know that the Vista version you have (1.1.1505.0) is
current and very similar functionally to the XP version with the exception
of the Vista enhancements, so NO do not try to get the XP download. The
rumor has it that Bill Sanderson (our resident WD guru) is out with
Microsoft in Washington this week, and you'll probably get some better
Vista feedback after the weekend, sorry if you thought I'm ignoring you
Vista people, that's not my intent at all, if I knew anything on the
subject I'd let you know.

Sounds like the problem is with the security center not recognizing that
you're current, but if you have those engine and definition version numbers
that I gave Christine, I know you are current, as Vista and XP use the
same. Somewhere there's not a switch being thrown for security center...
bug.

 

[Anonymous Bob]

Hi Dave, I read what you asked Christine and checked mine.
Defender Service is showing Automatic and Started status but the Windows
Defender Version is different than what you said, it's: 1.1.1505.0 (Engine
version and definition version are as you said.)
Could this be because I have the Defender that came with Vista? Do you
think I should download another version?

I believe you have the correct version for Vista.

Bob Vanderveen

 

[Guest]

Thanks for now Dave and Bob.
I'll keep my current version then. However, if you (or anyone else) have
any more solutions on how I can finally solve this, I would appreciate it if
you let me know.
Thanks.

 

[Guest]

Thanks Bob.

I believe you have the correct version for Vista.

Bob Vanderveen

 

[Guest]

Now scratching my chinny-chin-chin

Rebooted right after I replied to your message this AM. Nothing indicating
any problems, however Counterspy - which has Active Protection that does very
similar work to what WD does - shows Active Protection as off. Checked the
Event Viewer, nothing there since reboot aside from an Error w/DCOM and I am
researching that now. I checked Defender, it was off and nothing in the
Event Viewer that indicates a problem at the boot. Looks like it never came
on.

I wonder if Counterspy and Defender are locking horns? Ran the repair on
Defender and it appears to have come up clean. I'll leave Counterspy alone
for now, and watch Defender.

 

[Dave M]

My thoughts on that...

CounterSpy and Microsoft Anti-Spyware started out as the same program but
are undoubtedly much different at this time due to independent development
and a re-write of the code by Ms internal programmers. At one point it
made no sense to run both but they didn't interfere with each other. I
haven't seen any reports of them conflicting but that's not the same thing
as saying they don't.

Try this, turn off real-time protection in the Defender Options and see if
after another re-boot Defender stays around (which of the two Defender exe
programs was not running in task manager that makes you believe it's off?).
It's usually good to have multiple Anti-Spywares as a cross check, but
there is always the possibility for conflict. If you use either Defender /
Counterspy as an on Demand only scanner rather than RTP it may solve this
situation for you.

 

[Guest]

Got up this AM, to text box - Windows Defender is turned off.

Checked Event Viewer - shut itsefl off at 11:33 PM last night, nothing
indicating a problem in Event Viewer.

I checked Task Manager in reference to this comment earlier -

"Have you rebooted since you installed WD? Are MsMpEng.exe and MSASCui.exe
shown as running Processes in Task Manager after you get this message? If
they're still both shown in Task Manager, I have doubts that Defender is
really turned off"

Only MSASCui.exe is running the other is missing.

I'll try the reboot again. When I did the repair it did not ask for a reboot.