Update not working

[Guest]

I'm using the newest version of the Microsoft Antispyware program (Beta
version) and it seemed that there were no updates for the definitions for the
longest time so I uninstalled and reinstalled the program only to notice that
once I installed and ran the update, it would upgrade my definitions to the
latest ones I had before, and then I would never get any new updates. I tried
the uninstall and reinstall process several times only to have the initial
definitions update, and then I would never get any newer updates when I would
run the updater. Why is this?

 

[Bill Sanderson]

The current definitions are 5779.

Are you running a software firewall which might be interfering with the
updates?

 

[Guest]

I just downloaded the latest Beta version and the update does not
work--"cannot connect with internet" message. Reinstalled to no effect.
Uninstalled and reinstalled OLD version, and it worked and got update
descriptions.

Strangely, the new version update works on my laptop (wireless).

Use a router on desktop and no other firewall.
John

 

[Bill Sanderson]

You might try checking "automatically detect" in the proxy settings for the
Internet connection. There should be no differences between the update
mechanisms in .701 and .615, so I don't know how to explain your findings.

 

[Guest]

I do not have Auto Detect checked since that is the way my broadband ISP
wants it. It was not checked with the previous version (which I now have
reinstalled and it works).

If I can;t solve this by the end of Dec. when the program runs out, and the
new one still won't work. I will have to go to another anti spyware program
any sugestions, apart from SpyBot which I also use.

 

[Bill Sanderson]

I'd be interested to hear whether reinstalling the new version still gives
you the same problem. That's work--but the time is short, as you say, so
maybe retrying now is better than waiting.

The error message you received can be caused by a connectivity issue
anywhere along the path from your machine to the definition servers, it
appears. It seems to be possible that a transient issue--servers down, for
example, can cause this message to appear for some users.

--

 

[Guest]

I tried that before I put back the older version. It did not work the second
time I installed it.

I have no trouble reaching other websites through Google or my favourites or
other links. This is really strange.

 

[Bill Sanderson]

I hear you--but I also don't hear this same issue from others here, in any
significant numbers.

So--I'm not sure what to do with the data--I don't doubt your word about
what's happening, but I also haven't seen anything like it myself among
about 4 dozen or so machines I work with regularly, and the population that
posts in these groups, which is surely in the thousands. (We know there are
in excess of 18,000,000 active installations of Microsoft Antispyware.)

As with any other show-stopper issue in a beta--the final course open to you
is to remove the beta. I hate to recommend that to anyone, but if you can't
get definitions (we did talk about software firewalls, right?)--it isn't
doing much for you.

 

[Guest]

I got the latest definitions after I reinstalled the older beta version. I
guess I'll live with it utill the stale date of year end; then I'll try some
other spyware.

 

[Anonymous Bob]

I tried that before I put back the older version. It did not work the second
time I installed it.

I have no trouble reaching other websites through Google or my favourites or
other links. This is really strange.

Before you give up on it, try this approach:
Un-install using add/remove programs
Delete the folder and its contents
Run CCleaner:
http://www.ccleaner.com/
Download and re-install MSAS

Please let us know if you continue to have problems.

Respectfully,
Bob Vanderveen

 

[Guest]

I might try that though I am not fond of something that diddles around in my
registry. The old one still works. Perhaps now that I have all the
definitions up to date with the old one, I might try the new one again.
john

 

[Guest]

Did as you said: uninstalled, ran CCleaner and downloaded and reinstalled.
Upgrade does not work. So uninstalled again and reinstalled the old version.
Upgrade works.

I guess it is goodby MS anti-spywareat the end of the month.

Any recommendation as to which other I should try?
John

 

[Dave M]

Hi John;
For the short list, see...

http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm#trustworthy

 

[Guest]

Thank you.
John

Hi John;
For the short list, see...

http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm#trustworthy

 

[Anonymous Bob]

Did as you said: uninstalled, ran CCleaner and downloaded and reinstalled.
Upgrade does not work. So uninstalled again and reinstalled the old version.
Upgrade works.

I guess it is goodby MS anti-spywareat the end of the month.

Any recommendation as to which other I should try?
John

I'm unsure which version you have now running on your system. If you
downloaded a fresh copy there shouldn't be a need to upgrade. Help | About |
Diagnostics should show this:

Microsoft AntiSpyware version 1.0.701
Windows OS: 2000
Windows OS Version Info: 148
Windows OS Major Version: 5
Windows OS Minor Version: 0
Windows OS Build: 2195
Current Path: F:\Program Files\Microsoft AntiSpyware
Install Path: F:\Program Files\Microsoft AntiSpyware\
Session.RunMode: 5
Session.TimeBombDaysRemaining: 240
Session.TimeBombExpirationDate: 7/31/2006
Real-time protection running: True
Real-time protection enabled: True
Security Agents Application Enabled: True
Security Agents Internet Enabled: True
Security Agents System Enabled: True
Security Agents Checkpoints: 59
Definitions Update Date: 12/1/2005 10:28:17 PM
AutoUpdater Enabled: 1
AutoUpdater AutoApply Enabled:
Definitions Increment Version: 134/134
Definitions ThreatAuditThreatData: 1300109
Definitions ThreatAuditScanData: 2860358
Definitions DeterminationData: 724260

Bob Vanderveen

 

[Guest]

I am running Ver 1.0.615 now and the upgrade works. I cannot get the new one
to work so I reverted to the older version. Unless something positive happens
between now and the end of the month, I'll have to give up the MS anti
spyware.
John

 

[Guest]

Finally, on the last day of the year, I solved this problem myself.

Though I had deactivated ZoneAlarm and was not using it, I had not
uninstalled it. I finally did so. Voila, no problem. And the same with two
other programs that use an update from within the program. Even an inactive
ZoneAlarm was preventing three programs (but not others) from using an
internet connection. so I am back using the new version of MS anti-spyware.

 

[Anonymous Bob]

Finally, on the last day of the year, I solved this problem myself.

Though I had deactivated ZoneAlarm and was not using it, I had not
uninstalled it. I finally did so. Voila, no problem. And the same with two
other programs that use an update from within the program. Even an inactive
ZoneAlarm was preventing three programs (but not others) from using an
internet connection. so I am back using the new version of MS

anti-spyware.

Thanks for the update, congratulations, and happy new year.

Bob Vanderveen