How AVG updates itself

Question

I have a Dell 2400 with XP Home SP2 installed. My antivirus software is AVG Free Edition, v. 6, which I started using a few days ago. I've got a question about how this program is supposed to update itself.

On my computer AVG is configured to check for updates once a day, every morning. For the record, the "User confirms Dial-Up connection" option is unchecked because I use a cable modem.

Yesterday evening when I came home from work, the AVG control center window was on the screen. No special messages or anything, and the virus definitions were the same, 9/22. Somewhat puzzled as to why the window had popped up, I did a manual update which brought the definitions up to the current 9/24.

Is AVG supposed to do this? I thought the program would update itself without any help from me?

msil217 · Answer

BTW, if you decide to try Avast, download and save the installation file to your Hard drive.

After it is done downloading, disconnect from the internet.

Uninstall AVG(important), REBOOT

Install Avast--Reboot

Now you can connect to the internet.

msil217 · Answer

I never had AVG update automatically. If there was a way, I couldn't figure it out.

But as suggested by someone in another forum, AVAST! antivirus DOES auto update. I have been using AVAST instead of AVG since 9-10-04, and am pleased with it..

And it has a free version, which I use.

HERE

SteveandCJ · Answer

Lawnmowerguy,

I use AVG free as my anti-virus and I have it set to update automatically. It took me awhile to figure out how to make it work, but I finally got it.

Open Update Manager, you will see Scheduled Download of Update Files From the Internet, then, you should have a check in Allow scheduled update. Then, Update will start at whatever time you desire, example 7:00AM. Then, Update if database is older than 1 day, yours probably says 14 days. Then, If not successful, then repeat in 1 day. I use DSL, but I have a check in User confirmes dial-up connection, I guess it doesn't hurt anything. I get my updates every morning when there is updates. If it updates the definitions, the AVG screen will be on your desktop. I always check to make sure that the Virus Database & Release Date has changed.

Hope this helps you. I really like AVG & the price is certainly good!

CJ

lawnmowerguy · Answer

I haven't had much success with AVG's updating capability.  Mine is set to check for updates every day at 10:01am ET, and if unsuccessful, to try again a day later.  At 10:29am today I checked to see if anything had been updated.  Nothing.  So I ran a manual update and new definitions were downloaded.  I suppose it's possible the new files could have been released after 10:01am this morning, but I suspect the updating process is not functioning properly.  I can't contact AVG because they don't have tech support for the free version.

msil217 · Answer

@lawnmowerguy wrote:
Â Â Â Â Â I haven't had much success with AVG's updating capability.Â Mine is set to check for updates every day at 10:01am ET, and if unsuccessful, to try again a day later.Â At 10:29am todayÂ I checked to see if anything had been updated.Â Nothing.Â So I ran a manual update and new definitions were downloaded.Â I suppose it's possible the new files could have been released after 10:01am this morning, but I suspect the updating process is not functioning properly.Â I can't contact AVG because they don't have tech support for the free version.

It may possibly be a Firewall, either a third party firewall, or Windows Firewall.

My only guess.

lawnmowerguy · Answer

I'm using Windows Firewall. If it was blocking AVG, I'm assuming I'd be notified.

I suppose I could add AVG to the Windows Firewall exception list, but I never had to do that with eTrust EZ Antivirus.

Message Edited by Lawnmowerguy on 09-27-2004 11:38 AM

lawnmowerguy · Answer

I decided to uninstall AVG Free Edition and go back to eTrust EZ Antivirus.  It updates on its own with no problem.

gudgeon · Answer

I have used AVG 6.0 Free Edition & now use the payed-for AVG 7.0 Pro. Both update automatically & are fine pieces of software in my opinion - 7.0 is very reasonably priced & well worth paying for.

msil217 · Answer

I am using AVG again, because I reverted my PC from a Ghost image file(long story) and found AVG WILL auto-update, but it has an irritating behavior:

I am on Dial-up, and checking "user confirms dial-up connection" causes a change in my connections in internet options.

If I set it to "never dial a connection", AVG will revert it to

"Dial when a network connection is not present" on each bootup and everytime I voluntarily connect to the internet.

So, what happens is, when I boot-up Windows, it will show a dial-up dialog and start dialing. I don't want it to dial out and soon as I boot-up.

So, I unchecked "User conforms dial-up connection" and my connection option "Never dial a connection" stays the same.

I'll check check manually everyday.

Avast is nice, but AVG is a lot simpler, and just as good. (I think)

Windows General

How AVG updates itself

Was this post helpful?