[Giddy]

I run AVG Free 8.5 on an XP computer with windows firewall.

Until recently automatic update worked perfectly, but now I get an error message "Update failed - the connection with update server has failed" or "Update failed, Access is forbidden by the server"

I have tried manual updates (through the program) but get the same results.

I have made sure that all the necessary files, as per the AVG website, are exceptions in the windows firewall.

I have requested assistance from the AVG Free forum, but have drawn a blank.

I can do a manual update, downloading the files from the AVG website and updating via the program going to "tools and "update from directory", but this is obviously cumbersome, although it keep my virus definition files up to date. No problem with scheduled scans..

I believe it must be malware that is preventing the update, but AVG don't seem in a hurry to fix it.

Other than this, I really like the workings of AVG, but am now at a loss as to how to proceed.

Any ideas?

[Phantom010]

You could try uninstalling and reinstalling it. To uninstall it, it's preferable to use the AVG Remover.

[Giddy]

Thanks for the thought - I forgot to mention that I have uninstalled and reinstalled a new download of the program.

[Phantom010]

Did you use the AVG Remover?

[Giddy]

I did, although I first removed it with "Uninstall AVG free"

I believe the folk on the AVG free forum suggested I use AVG remover, and download a fresh version of the program to reinstall it.

[golferbob]

i had run avg for a long time ,i got tired of the update problems , so i switch to comodo free firewall & antivirus. so far in the last month no problems with updates. i have used the comodo free firewall for over a year.

http://www.majorgeeks.com/Comodo_Int...ity_d5033.html

[Giddy]

Thanks for the thought, Golferbob.
I would like to keep trying with AVG - I have read various reviews or both programs (and of many other free anti-virus progs) and AVG does seem to be the best - apart from the present problem.

Hopefully someone in this community will come up with a cure for the update glitch.

[Phantom010]

Originally Posted by Giddy

Thanks for the thought, Golferbob.
I would like to keep trying with AVG - I have read various reviews or both programs (and of many other free anti-virus progs) and AVG does seem to be the best - apart from the present problem.

Hopefully someone in this community will come up with a cure for the update glitch.

AVG has had quite a lot of problems and bad reviews lately. Only here on TSG, you'll find quite a lot of threads related to AVG problems. I would definitely get rid of it and consider another alternative. If you must go free, try Avira Antivir. I personaly recommend paid AV like NOD32 and Kaspersky. You won't be disappointed.

[blitzkreig]

AVG also seems to detect false positives
I recommend avira antivirus personal edition (free)
It would be much wiser changing the antivirus software rather than having an antivirus software that doesn't update and finally will kill your computer
Choice is finally yours

[Giddy]

Thanks for all the help,

I have decided to buy Kaspersky and maby try AVG again in a years time. Perhaps they will have sorted the problem by then.

[blitzkreig]

thats a excellent choice you made

[blitzkreig]

AVG is currently in doldrums. They just seem to have been carried away by the success of their earlier products.