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fleiscd

3 Posts

13935

February 5th, 2004 13:00

McAfee Security Center 90 Day Trial not working, unable to update...McAfee say's it's an old version and not supported any longer.

I just got my Dell XPS System a week ago.  It came with a 90 Day Trial of McAfee Security Center.  I was able to install the Virus & Firewall, but I can't update them.  The Virus .Dat file is from June for goodness sake.  When I try to update it I get an error message that my system is "Missing a Valid Service Tag" and cannot be updated.  Everytime I turn my system on, I get a message asking me to update McAfee and everytime I click submit I get this message.  I called the McAfee's "Special Customer Support Number for Dell Customers Only" and they told me it was an old copy and that they don't support it.  They suggested I buy their latest version from their web site (that was after being on-hold for 1 hour and 37 minutes).

So, is it Dell's standard practice to install outdate, obsolete software?  How do I get my 90 day free trial?!?!

If anybody has any suggestions (other than installing BlackIce and Norton Anti-Virus, which is what I used on my old system) please let me know.

eph521n22

3 Posts

February 5th, 2004 17:00

I have had similar problems with McAfee.  I recently purchased an updated McAfee 8.0 online.  I have not been able to update.  When I go to the McAfee site, it says I do not subscribe to the services, yet I paid more than I should have for the product, and also $6.99 extra for a year of being able to re-download and re-install.  Maybe it is the McAfee problem, they do not support what they sell.

kjharris

428 Posts

February 6th, 2004 13:00

Since your computer is only a week old you might want to contact Dell Customer Support and complain--tell them what McAfee said about VScan being and old version and not supported and see what they say. You could try going onto McAfee.com and going to My Account and see if you are listed there as subscribed to the trial version. Also, if you go to the McAfee website and then to their forums, you will see that the VScan8 forum is full of postings complaining about not being able to update, register etc. Apparently there are problems with their registration and updating procedures. Sorry I don't have any real helpful advice.

Ken

melmcbee

56 Posts

February 7th, 2004 04:00

I also had problems with my 90 day trial. However, I e-chatted with a mcafee tech and told him the message and he sent me instructions on how to uninstall the firewall. The e-chat only took a short time compared to waiting on the phone. Due to more problems since then I have uninstalled the entire Mcafee product and found AVG which is free. Unless you particularly like Mcafee I would uninstall it and use another program. There are plenty of good suggestions on this site. Good luck.

Keifer27

2 Posts

February 7th, 2004 15:00

I am having this same problem with the Mcafee Personal Firewall Plus. I installed the 90 day trial last night. This morning an update window popped up and it gives me the same error message when I try to update it. I contacted McAfee "live" support and they told me it was a Dell isssue and to contact them. I am waiting for a response from Dell, but I have a feeling I will probably get the "run around". I have been using the Antivirus since I got the pc last month and haven't had any problems updating it.

fleiscd

3 Posts

February 7th, 2004 23:00

I found that once I installed the Privacy software I was able to update everything without a problem.  Originally I only installed the Firewall Plus and Virus Scan software.  Until I installed the Privacy Software I had the problems I mentioned and nobody at McAfee or Dell was able to help in anyway...nor did it they cared to help at all. 

Keifer27

2 Posts

February 8th, 2004 05:00

Fleiscd, thanks for your update. After I installed the Privacy Trial, as you said you did, it works now. I agree apparently Dell doesn't care, as I haven't gotten a reply to the Tech Support email I sent them earlier. Thanks Again!

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