Definition update recycling - Permanent Fix

[Robin Walker [MVP]]

After much debugging, I have found that the problem with definition update
failures and repetition is because of an incorrect version of the file
gcUnCompress.dll in C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\ (for XP) or C:\WINNT\SYSTEM32\ (for
2000 or systems upgraded from 2000).

The incorrect version is of length 130,272 bytes.
The correct version is of length 95,448 bytes.

To update your system to install the correct version of the file, do the
following:

1. In the System Notification Area, right-click on the MSAS icon and select
"Shutdown Microsoft AntiSpyware".
2. In Explorer, navigate to C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\, locate the file
"gcUnCompress.dll", right-click on it, and select "Delete".
3. In Control Panel "Add or Remove Programs", select "Microsoft AntiSpyware"
and click button "Change".
4. Click "Next".
5. Select "Update Microsoft AntiSpyware", click "Next".
6. Click "Install".
7. When the re-installation finishes, click "Finish".
8. In Explorer, in folder C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\, check that
"gcUnCompress.dll" is now 95,448 bytes long, by right-clicking it and
selecting "Properties".
9. Launch MSAS, pull down the File menu and select "Check for updates" -
this time it really will update your definition files to the latest version.
10. In Explorer, open the folder C:\Program Files\Microsoft AntiSpyware, and
satisfy yourself that the modification dates of the three definition files
have changed:
gcDeterminationData.gcd
gcThreatAuditThreatData.gcd
gcThreatAuditScanData.gcd

Done!

You won't ever have to manually install the definition files again, nor will
the update keep repeating every time you try.

 

[Tom Emmelot]

Hello Robin,

GREAT!!!!!!

Regards >*< TOM >*<

Robin Walker [MVP] schreef:

 

[Tom Emmelot]

Hello Robin,

i was a little to quick i think,
after update it was 93.2k?
Still hope it is right.

Regards >*< TOM >*<

Robin Walker [MVP] schreef:

 

[Robin Walker [MVP]]

i was a little to quick i think,
after update it was 93.2k?

93.2K is the same as 95,448 bytes.

 

[Anonymous Bob]

After much debugging, I have found that the problem with definition update
failures and repetition is because of an incorrect version of the file
gcUnCompress.dll in C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\ (for XP) or C:\WINNT\SYSTEM32\ (for
2000 or systems upgraded from 2000).

You're a hero!
I'd would like your permission to distribute this fix widely, with
full attribution, of course.

Bob Vanderveen

 

[Robin Walker [MVP]]

I'd would like your permission to distribute this fix widely, with
full attribution, of course.

Please do, everybody, copy the fix to users in distress. Put it in the FAQ
as well.

But please consider this to be the Master Thread for reporting any problems
with the fix as posted.

 

[Bruce]

After much debugging, I have found that the problem with definition update
failures and repetition is because of an incorrect version of the file
gcUnCompress.dll in C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\ (for XP) or C:\WINNT\SYSTEM32\
(for 2000 or systems upgraded from 2000).

Many thanks and I must say that I am grateful that someone spends time to do
something constructive instead of bitching about "crappy this, crappy that
....", ingrates who want the world to do them a favour and for nothing.

 

[Richard Urban]

Show off (-;

Thank You from all the people who have been fighting this.

--
Regards,

Richard Urban

Quote from: George Ankner
"If you knew as much as you thought you know,
You would realize that you don't know what you thought you knew!"

 

[Bruce]

Please do, everybody, copy the fix to users in distress. Put it in the
FAQ as well.

But please consider this to be the Master Thread for reporting any
problems with the fix as posted.

An alternative, is to simply uninstall and reinstall.

I am not 100% certain, I believe the problem is associated with updates on
the earlier version that expired on July 31st.

 

[Jbob]

And for further clarification of the said file, I show version 1.0.614.10.
This is on a new OS install of WinXP Pro which did not have earlier versions
of MSAS installed.

 

[Anonymous Bob]

After much debugging, I have found that the problem with definition update
failures and repetition is because of an incorrect version of the file
gcUnCompress.dll in C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\ (for XP) or C:\WINNT\SYSTEM32\ (for
2000 or systems upgraded from 2000).

Robin,

Your procedure worked for W2K but not for XP Pro. Even after
emptying the recycle bin and disabling restore I had to uninstall
and download/install the program again to get the correct version.

Bob Vanderveen

 

[Texas Handly]

definition update


C:\WINNT\SYSTEM32\ (for


Robin,

Your procedure worked for W2K but not for XP Pro. Even after
emptying the recycle bin and disabling restore I had to uninstall
and download/install the program again to get the correct version.

Bob Vanderveen

Your procedure appears to have worked on my WinXP Home SP2. However, I
seem to recall that the splash page for MS Anti-Spyware said "Beta2"
before the fix and "Beta1" after.

Texas Handly

 

[Jbob]

Update for me:

I went and checked my notes. Sure enough I did post on BBR of a problem
with my new OS load. I had just reloaded a new hard drive with XP Pro and
installed MSAS .614 from scratch. None of the other versions had been
installed yet. After a few tests it too was getting into the update loop.

Now that the incorrect dll file issue was determined I checked mine on my
new install and it has the correct dll file already. So since I have seen
the update loop issue on this machine, I will question the valididity of
this new find until a later date and more testing. Perhaps there was a
glitch or it was coincindence on my new install. Time will tell.

 

[Norm]

Congratulations. This solved an irritating problem of having to manually
install the updated files.

Norm



Robin Walker [MVP] wrote:
|
|| I'd would like your permission to distribute this fix widely, with
|| full attribution, of course.
|
| Please do, everybody, copy the fix to users in distress. Put it in
| the FAQ as well.
|
| But please consider this to be the Master Thread for reporting any
| problems with the fix as posted.

 

[Tom R]

After much debugging, I have found that the problem with definition update
failures and repetition is because of an incorrect version of the file
gcUnCompress.dll in C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\ (for XP) or C:\WINNT\SYSTEM32\
(for 2000 or systems upgraded from 2000).

The incorrect version is of length 130,272 bytes.
The correct version is of length 95,448 bytes.

To update your system to install the correct version of the file, do the
following:

1. In the System Notification Area, right-click on the MSAS icon and
select "Shutdown Microsoft AntiSpyware".
2. In Explorer, navigate to C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\, locate the file
"gcUnCompress.dll", right-click on it, and select "Delete".
3. In Control Panel "Add or Remove Programs", select "Microsoft
AntiSpyware" and click button "Change".
4. Click "Next".
5. Select "Update Microsoft AntiSpyware", click "Next".
6. Click "Install".
7. When the re-installation finishes, click "Finish".
8. In Explorer, in folder C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\, check that
"gcUnCompress.dll" is now 95,448 bytes long, by right-clicking it and
selecting "Properties".
9. Launch MSAS, pull down the File menu and select "Check for updates" -
this time it really will update your definition files to the latest
version.
10. In Explorer, open the folder C:\Program Files\Microsoft AntiSpyware,
and satisfy yourself that the modification dates of the three definition
files have changed:
gcDeterminationData.gcd
gcThreatAuditThreatData.gcd
gcThreatAuditScanData.gcd

Done!

You won't ever have to manually install the definition files again, nor
will the update keep repeating every time you try.

Robin,
Thank you for posting the fix,
I just tried it and it works for me on XP Pro. SR2

Tom R

 

[OldBoy]

[snip]

Perfect!
Works on XP Pro SP2 (English) and XP Home SP2 (Dutch).

Thanks, Jan

 

[Robin Walker [MVP]]

Even after
emptying the recycle bin and disabling restore I had to uninstall
and download/install the program again to get the correct version.

Is it possible that the previous version of MSAS on this PC was not build
614? That would explain the procedure not producing the correct version of
the DLL until you had downloaded and installed the latest version.

 

[Robin Walker [MVP]]

Your procedure appears to have worked on my WinXP Home SP2. However,
I seem to recall that the splash page for MS Anti-Spyware said "Beta2"
before the fix and "Beta1" after.

Beta 2 has not yet been released by Microsoft, so I think you can relax on
that point.

 

[Anonymous Bob]

Is it possible that the previous version of MSAS on this PC was not build
614? That would explain the procedure not producing the correct version of
the DLL until you had downloaded and installed the latest version.

Yes! Very possible.

Bob Vanderveen

 

[\old\ devildog]

I checked the "gcUnCompress.dll" on my unit. File length was 130,272 bytes.
I then followed all instructions as shown. I still had a "gcUnCompress.dll"
file length of 130,272 bytes. I uninstalled MSAS and revisited the install
page from MS. Downloaded the 614 build ( what I already had running )
reinstalled the 614 build and still have "gcUnCompress.dll" file length of
130,272 bytes. I am using XP SP2 with all updates and hotfixes from MS. I
ran a manual update from the dropdown on MSAS and received an upgrade of
def. files to 5733. I gave it about an hour and did another manual update,
and was again updated to 5733. I just finished another total uninstall of
MSAS again and the "gcUnCompress.dll" file length is once again "127 KB
(130,272 bytes)". I upgraded to def. file 5733. I will check it later on
today, but expect the same update to happen again. If you have a file length
of 95,448, it must be from a previous install of MSAS. The file included
with the current install form MS is 130,272 bytes. When I upgraded my hard
the hard drive I had to reinstall MSAS as well as many other pieces of
software, I do not have a build 613 or lower on my machine. Maybe having MS
post link to a repaired uncompress library file will be the answer.
I though MS monitored this forum. If the MSAS group is on vacation then I
think it is about time to return to work. The "beta" MS is banking on to
"show it cares about security" is starting to crash down around their ears.
I am glad I am also running SpybotS&D, AdAware, and Counterspy. And by the
way Counterspy (same basic engine) is not having problems and has not
downgraded the Claria defs. Microsoft is required to give def. files to
Counterspy till July of 2007 as part of its buy out of Giant. Looks like
they are providing different files to MSAS users than Counterspy.

"old" devildog

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
: After much debugging, I have found that the problem with definition update
: failures and repetition is because of an incorrect version of the file
: gcUnCompress.dll in C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\ (for XP) or C:\WINNT\SYSTEM32\
(for
: 2000 or systems upgraded from 2000).
:
: The incorrect version is of length 130,272 bytes.
: The correct version is of length 95,448 bytes.
:
: To update your system to install the correct version of the file, do the
: following:
:
: 1. In the System Notification Area, right-click on the MSAS icon and
select
: "Shutdown Microsoft AntiSpyware".
: 2. In Explorer, navigate to C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\, locate the file
: "gcUnCompress.dll", right-click on it, and select "Delete".
: 3. In Control Panel "Add or Remove Programs", select "Microsoft
AntiSpyware"
: and click button "Change".
: 4. Click "Next".
: 5. Select "Update Microsoft AntiSpyware", click "Next".
: 6. Click "Install".
: 7. When the re-installation finishes, click "Finish".
: 8. In Explorer, in folder C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\, check that
: "gcUnCompress.dll" is now 95,448 bytes long, by right-clicking it and
: selecting "Properties".
: 9. Launch MSAS, pull down the File menu and select "Check for updates" -
: this time it really will update your definition files to the latest
version.
: 10. In Explorer, open the folder C:\Program Files\Microsoft AntiSpyware,
and
: satisfy yourself that the modification dates of the three definition files
: have changed:
: gcDeterminationData.gcd
: gcThreatAuditThreatData.gcd
: gcThreatAuditScanData.gcd
:
: Done!
:
: You won't ever have to manually install the definition files again, nor
will
: the update keep repeating every time you try.
:
: --
: Robin Walker [MVP Networking]
: (e-mail address removed)
:
: