91 replies to this topic

[troobie]

Yes i'm having the same problem as petesky1.

Here's a screencap of the program when i want to want to update the definition. Can somebody please look into this? Because it's really troublesome having to download the file definitions when there's supposed to be an auto update.

I'm having the same problem. I've been using Ad-Aware AE with no problems until I downloaded the update today. This was caused by the latest update.

[joey A]

I emailed support about my problem that in the control pannel of AdAware anniversary the update does nothing not even an error but from the start menu I can update it, I am calling my credit card company and stopping payment and making a complaint about the customer sevice

[rd52]

I am having the same problem as everyone else, I'm running Vista 32, free editions of spyware doctor, spyware blaster, and superantispyware, plus trendmicro anti virus. I tried deleting and reinstalling Ad-Aware, but it didn't help. I'm still unable to get new updates.

[Miguel Angel]

Miguel: You know where I can get the Ad Aware 2008? It not available to download froom Lavasoft, you know any other trustable wensite who have it? Because if this won't update, I rather use the Ad Aware 2008.

Sure... you can download from this link.....

Filehippo

Good luck

PS : Obviously uninstall Anniversary Edition and reinstall 2008

Greets
Miguel Angel

[Kheldan]

Ok so today there was a new definition released (0148.0017). I did the procedure I described below (replacing the 8.0.4 AAWService.exe with the older one from 8.0.3) and it updated to the new definition file. It naturally also updated the AAWService.exe file back to the 8.0.4 version and rebroke the update but until Lavasoft fixes this atleast I can "easily" ensure my AdAware remains current and up to date...

Is this issue acknowledged by Lavasoft and being looked into?

Thanks and I hope this helps,

Kheldan

OK, I work in the Automated Testing space and have worked for Compuware, Mercury Interactive and Worksoft. I have over 15 years in this domain and decided to do a bit of digging into this issue for our Lavasoft developpers. Here's what I've found.

With the upgrade to 8.0.4 from 8.0.3 the AAWService.exe file has been updated. The new version actually has a new Digital signature dated April 21st 2009 the old one had a date on the signature of March 9th 2009.... I took a copy of the old file AAWService.exe from my Vista Shadow Copied file and overwrite the newer one (after stopping the Lavasoft service and exiting AdAWare AE). I then restarted AdAware and lo and behold, Update now no longer has the UAC prompt that started with 8.0.4 come up AND I no longer get the error on updates, it runs, updates AAWService.exe to the newer version, restarts and the error is back in effect, UAC popup and "Connection Error, Check your settings" when I try and click update... so it is clearly something with the new version of the AAWService.exe file.... I can repeat this process as many times as I like. Copy over the new AAWService.exe file with the older one, restart AE, click on update, it installs the newer version of the file and BOOM, I can no longer update. This file was broken or something happened with the Certificate as it is now requiring UAC popup and no longer works.

Hope this helps in identifying the root cause and fixing the problem. :-)

Kheldan

Edited by Kheldan, 24 April 2009 - 12:47 PM.

[Ian501]

I wonder if this is happening with the paid versions also? If not maybe that explains the seeming uninterest in fixing the problem.

[The Elf]

Sure... you can download from this link.....

Filehippo

Good luck

PS : Obviously uninstall Anniversary Edition and reinstall 2008

Greets
Miguel Angel

I tried the Filehippo version and it wasn't right. I ended up downloading from the MajorGeeks site. Eventually I had to uninstall the 2008 version when it began to have issues with my Norton virus program.

[petesky1]

Ok so today there was a new definition released (0148.0017). I did the procedure I described below (replacing the 8.0.4 AAWService.exe with the older one from 8.0.3) and it updated to the new definition file. It naturally also updated the AAWService.exe file back to the 8.0.4 version and rebroke the update but until Lavasoft fixes this atleast I can "easily" ensure my AdAware remains current and up to date...

Is this issue acknowledged by Lavasoft and being looked into?

Thanks and I hope this helps,

Kheldan

Hi Kheldan,

That resolution sounds like a reasonable way to update until they fix the problem. However, I'm not quite sure how to find a copy of the previous version of the AAWService.exe file? It's possible it's not retained on my computer at this point. Is there somewhere that file can be downloaded? Thanks for finding a "fix" for the problem.

[casey_boy]

I'm not 100% sure I should tell you this and I'm not 100% sure it's gonna work, but I think I'd rather you did this than download from some website since we cannot verify the authenticity that way.

Navigate to

• (Vista) C:\ProgramData\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware\Update
• (XP)C:\Application Data\All Users\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware\Update

and you will find back ups of all the files which have ever been written over (i.e. the older versions).

Casey

Edited by casey_boy, 27 April 2009 - 10:37 AM.

[Kheldan]

I'm not 100% sure I should tell you this and I'm not 100% sure it's gonna work, but I think I'd rather you did this than download from some website since we cannot verify the authenticity that way.

Navigate to

• (Vista) C:\ProgramData\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware\Update
• (XP)C:\Application Data\All Users\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware\Update

and you will find back ups of all the files which have ever been written over (i.e. the older versions).

Casey

As Casey Boy mentioned OR if you`re running VISTA Ultimate, it keeps Shadow Copies of replaced files (not sure about other versions of Vista but Ultimate does). You can go to C:\Program Files\Lavasoft\Adaware and right click on AAWService.exe select properties in popup menu and the Previous Versions tab. Right click on the file and save a copy to desktop. Then ensure the AdAware Service is stopped, rename the current AAWService.exe file (as a backup and safety AAWService.BAK) copy the one on the desktop into the C:\Program Files\Lavasoft\Adaware folder. Restart the service and then start AdAware. Click on Update and voila it will now update all the files *including the AAWService.exe file thus rebreaking the update process but also bringing the defs up to date! :-) To rerun simply repeat the process....

It looks difficult like this but really isn`t if you`re comfprtable with copying files and stopping/starting services...

[petesky1]

As Casey Boy mentioned OR if you`re running VISTA Ultimate, it keeps Shadow Copies of replaced files (not sure about other versions of Vista but Ultimate does). You can go to C:\Program Files\Lavasoft\Adaware and right click on AAWService.exe select properties in popup menu and the Previous Versions tab. Right click on the file and save a copy to desktop. Then ensure the AdAware Service is stopped, rename the current AAWService.exe file (as a backup and safety AAWService.BAK) copy the one on the desktop into the C:\Program Files\Lavasoft\Adaware folder. Restart the service and then start AdAware. Click on Update and voila it will now update all the files *including the AAWService.exe file thus rebreaking the update process but also bringing the defs up to date! :-) To rerun simply repeat the process....

It looks difficult like this but really isn`t if you`re comfprtable with copying files and stopping/starting services...

So I've tried what is suggested, and get to the previous versions tab. However, once I get there, it states that there are no previous versions available. I'm not sure if this gets cleaned out when I run programs like 12Ghosts wash, or if it's because of my version of Vista. Regardless - no previous version. Is there somewhere to download it from?

[AAWService]

I found an easier short term solution for this problem.

I didn't find previous versions of AAWService.exe and Ad-AwareAdmin.exe available.

But I have changed the current versions of these files, setting the Compatibility mode to "Run this program in compatibility mode for: Windows XP"

Works perfect and you don't need to replace files.

You go to C:\Program Files\Lavasoft\Adaware and right click on AAWService.exe, select properties in popup menu and the Compatibility tab.

Do the same for Ad-AwareAdmin.exe and you will be able to update from the icon tray either.

[petesky1]

Well Kheldan's procedure did the trick!.. I didn't have a shadowed backup, nor could I locate it via casey_boys suggested directory, but after a good samaritan e-mailed me a copy of the previous version of the AAWService.exe file (march 9/09 signature), I was able to:

-> Shut down Ad-Aware
-> "Stop" the Lavasoft Ad-Aware service through the services menu
-> Overwrite the updated AAWService.exe file with the previous version (which I had saved in a different directory... copy 'n paste)
-> "Start" the Lavasoft Ad-Aware service through the services menu
-> Start up Ad-Aware and web update as normal

Of course, once updated, the old glitch comes back since Lavasoft has not addressed this issue, but at least I'm dealing with an up-to-date version as far as scanning my system for malicious files is concerned.. And I'm assuming that once Lavasoft DOES fix this error, that it will automatically be corrected on my end with one of these updates.

...Maybe they'll also fix the "error" of a Lavasoft Ad POP-UP??? I find it ironic that a program protecting us from such events is now doing the same thing.

ps. Lavasoft, I don't need a pop-up to remind me to buy my mom flowers for mothers day by the way.....

Thanks again Kheldan for finding a solution to this annoying update problem!!

[Kheldan]

I found an easier short term solution for this problem.

I didn't find previous versions of AAWService.exe and Ad-AwareAdmin.exe available.

But I have changed the current versions of these files, setting the Compatibility mode to "Run this program in compatibility mode for: Windows XP"

Works perfect and you don't need to replace files.

You go to C:\Program Files\Lavasoft\Adaware and right click on AAWService.exe, select properties in popup menu and the Compatibility tab.

Do the same for Ad-AwareAdmin.exe and you will be able to update from the icon tray either.

Tried this method, was able to run update from the Start Menu option but got the same error from main window of AdAware and the tray icon... only the start menu method worked this way... I changed the compatibility settings of both AAWService.exe and Ad-AwareAdmin.exe to Windows XP SP2.

Thanks for the heads-up,

Kheldan

Edited by Kheldan, 28 April 2009 - 01:53 AM.

[AAWService]

Able to update from all methods now. Start menu, tray icon and main window.

Anyway, I hope that solution can help others in one method at least.

[petesky1]

I found an easier short term solution for this problem.

I didn't find previous versions of AAWService.exe and Ad-AwareAdmin.exe available.

But I have changed the current versions of these files, setting the Compatibility mode to "Run this program in compatibility mode for: Windows XP"

Works perfect and you don't need to replace files.

You go to C:\Program Files\Lavasoft\Adaware and right click on AAWService.exe, select properties in popup menu and the Compatibility tab.

Do the same for Ad-AwareAdmin.exe and you will be able to update from the icon tray either.

Yep this seemed to do the trick too. The only difference I noticed is that Vista still asks for program permission when I would click on web update, but at least this time there would be no connection error - it just downloaded as it should. Fairly easy to do in the interim until Lavasoft fixes the glitch and includes the patch in an update.

[lav101]

Hi
@petesky
are you able to update manually ?
what other security software is installed ?

@ThanksLavasoft
plz disable Norton ( Symantec ) and try it again.

you should also have a look to
http://en.wikipedia....Account_Control
regards
Raziel
LS staff will have a look into, sorry for the inconveniences

Why do you need all that space wasting/time wasting stuff on your post?

@lav101: Please do not shout or your posts will be edited or deleted, especially if, like this one, they are completely irrelevant.

I would suggest that you take the time to carefully read the forum rules: Forum Rules - Please read before posting! There is a section which states what can and can't go into a signature - Raziel's fits the criteria. If you don't want to read it, skip over it...

Edited by spike-nz, 29 April 2009 - 02:37 AM.
To remove "shouting - totally irrelevant post

[maf23]

Having advance notice that this was a major update (as opposed to just a def update) so that user could deactivate FW and AV settings in advance may have prevented some of these update problems.

Edited by maf23, 28 April 2009 - 09:25 AM.

[Andy CWS]

yeah, can Lavasoft look into this new version 8.0.4
This must be some sort of glitch of the new version like how pete said.

I been using Lavasoft even back then in my XP days, and it all work fine, and it still work fine with my new Vista until today morning when I was told to update to the 8.0.4 version.

I have experienced a complete failure after updating AE version. So far no correction has been made availble expect by a service guy who wants $27 upfront. I was told this service should be free, but....

This is really frustrating to buy a bug-fix software only to be the biggest bug I have.

Andy

[casey_boy]

@ Andy,

If you have paid for Ad-Aware then you do not need to pay for support. You can log into the support center and fire off an email to the support team. If you are using the Free version, then yes you will need to upgrade first or use these forums for support.

Lavasoft are well aware of this update problem and are trying to fix it.

Casey