McAfee stops updating, claiming there is no connection.

Question

It all started out very nice: Vista, McAfee (security center). Working perfectly. Then McAfee stopped updating itself, telling me I had to connect to the internet before it could. But I was. Next it started interfering with IE and Firefox, causing time outs all around.   I ended up deleting McAfee from my system. Now everyting works fine once again. But since I got the 15 month subscription I'm not to happy about how this is playing out.   So, anyone ran into trouble with mcafee/vista and (more important) found a solution yet?   McAfee told me to uninstall (which I already did gladly) and then re install (which I did reluctantly) but that only brought back the same problem. Dell ppl came up with the same 'solution'  but I refused. I'm more then willing to give the McAfee software another chance but I'm not about to try and re install it just for the heck of it, hoping it somehow fixes itself by just installing it very often.   System details: Dmsn 9200, Quadcore Q6600, 2 Gig, 2x320 HDD Raid, Vista home pr (dutch).

ky331 · Answer

' Then McAfee stopped updating itself, telling me I had to connect to the internet before it could. But I was.' Is it possible that you changed a firewall setting, that's now blocking McAfee from connecting to the internet to update itself??   I'm not sure if I'm reading things correctly, since you've uninstalled, reinstalled... and I think, uninstalled McAfee yet again... so I'm taking it that McAfee is uninstalled at the moment, and everything is back to working fine.   Many people report having problems with McAfee (regardless of which Windows they use).   McAfee (as well as Symantec/Norton) tend to be 'bloated resource hogs'.   The consensus in this forum seems to be that, unless you really 'love' it, you should replace it with alternative (and FREE) products.   In terms of FREE anti-virus programs [which I stress is just one of several components in your McAfee Security Center Suite], people in these forums are  recommending Grisoft/AVG, Avast!, or Avira/AntiVir.    All are considered good.   It's more a matter of user choice as to which is 'best'... Forum member Joe53 [whose opinion I strongly respect] currently recommends Avira's AntiVir or  Avast! 4 Home Edition, in this order.     P.S.   Do *NOT* install more than one of these Anti-virus products.        All are FREE; some may require you to go through a 'registration' procedure.   Grisoft/AVG Free (Win 98SE, ME, NT Workstation SP6a, 2000 Pro SP4 with Security Rollup Pack, XP SP2, Vista):  http://free.grisoft.com/doc/avg-anti-virus-free/lng/us/tpl/v5   Avast! Home Edition (Win 95/98/ME, NT 4.0, 2000. XP, Vista ;  but excluding NT/2000/2003 Server families):  http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html   Avira/AntiVir Personal Edition  ( Windows 98/ME/2000/XP/Vista ): http://www.free-av.com/       Message Edited by ky331 on 08-05-2007 09:51 AM

NLDimension · Answer

Thx for responding ky331, I don't think I changed any firewall setting, at least not on purpose. Still it seems somewhat strange (but not at all impossible) that the McAfee firewall would prevent the application to update itself (the windows firewall was switched off by the way).   McAfee is uninstalled and will probably remain that way, which is somewhat regrettable considering I paid €50 ($65) for it.   I currently use the windows firewall and will probably install Avira Antivir shortly.

Bugbatter · Answer

This may not apply to your situation, but as a warning to others reading this, there is evidence that registry cleaners are breaking updaters on some applications.

S.C · Answer

Apparently McAfee isn't worth it since it creates so many problems. I used to run it as well. After a bunch of problems and no help from McAfee support, I gave up and now run AVG Free Anti-Virus.   Bugbatter, Good thing I don't use registry cleaners. Apparently a bunch of things can go wrong with it, and frankly, I'd rather not try it and ruin my computer.

Dr. Doug · Answer

I spent about 4 hours with Dell free support and then Dell On Line.  It started with a uncontrollable Sousa March that went to a loud siren noise.  Only way to turn it off was to unplug battery.  I assumed that I had been 'virused'  Tried to go to McAfee site and got blank screen.  I was able to get on the internet but was blocked from Mcafee and Dell mcafee web sites.  Tried to uninstall the Mcafee program and would not install.  Tried to uninstall the uninstall program and would not uninstall.  Eventually after free service Dell Techies tried to do the same and failed then failed to be able to take over my computer on Dellconnect they steered me to Dell Online support to the tune of $129.00.  A very helpful Candace from Canada was able to delete my McAfee program by going to different Mcafee site and downloading an uninstall program.  Once that was accomplished, she was able to take over my computer, install 'Super AntiSpyware'  a free program.  This gleaned out all evil programs and now I am up and running again.  Though conversations with four different tech people at Dell,  it sounds to me that message to update McAfee were being sent and that one of these was bogus and shut down the McAfee program.  Not clear to me whether that also set off the Sousa march and siren routine or whether it just allowed viruses to penetrate my computer whilst the McAfee was shut down.  One of my associates had a similar problem and sounds like this was widespread.  Needless to say I am not happy to have paid $129.00 to Dell to fix a program that they sold me to protect my computer.  Any thoughts anyone out there?

ky331 · Answer

Doug,   While it will be of little consolation to you now (having already spent the $129), it's entirely likely that had you come here first, to the Virus/Spyware and/or HiJackThis forums, we might have been solve your problems at no expense to you.   That the McAfee and DELL/McAfee web-sites were blocked could have been something as simple as a 'loopback' entry in your HOSTS file.   The McAfee uninstall program that they had you download --- was it the McAfee Consumer Product Removal Tool ( MCPR) ??   SuperAntiSpyware is a well-known, and commonly recommended program used here.   And when all else 'fails', HiJackThis (used under proper supervision) can find just about anything.   I'm writing this for the sake of others, who might yet find themselves in your situation.

Virus & Spyware

McAfee stops updating, claiming there is no connection.

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