65 replies to this topic

[Computer wizard]

Our MCSE is laughing at your suggestion, as is the manager of tech support at Comcast. However, they are BOTH applauding my decision to acquire real-time, real-world statistical data which has already begun.

Sorry the PRO's don't see things your way there ol' boy, Computer wizard. That being said, I anxiously await the first 24 hour stats from my family.

CurlySue

There is more than one way to perform the test, but at the end of the day YOU are the one with problem so the results the rest of your family produce wont fix yours, if this issue was Lavasofts update servers problem, there would be more than yourself complaining and as far as i can see your the only one so far with this problem, every time someone tries too offer help you are reluctant too accept that it might be a issue at your end and instant respond in a manor which isn't tolerated, so i have to agree with visitor if you dislike Ad-aware so much just uninstall it quickest fix yet but this topic has bored me from get go, goodluck.

Sorry the PRO's don't see things your way there ol' boy, Computer wizard

hate too burst your bubble of humor but i am one of those PRO's

[CurlySue]

There is more than one way to perform the test, but at the end of the day YOU are the one with problem so the results the rest of your family produce wont fix yours, if this issue was Lavasofts update servers problem, there would be more than yourself complaining and as far as i can see your the only one so far with this problem, every time someone tries too offer help you are reluctant too accept that it might be a issue at your end and instant respond in a manor which isn't tolerated, so i have to agree with visitor if you dislike Ad-aware so much just uninstall it quickest fix yet but this topic has bored me from get go, goodluck.
hate too burst your bubble of humor but i am one of those PRO's

This is not about disliking Ad-Aware, I have been a proponent and advocate for nearly 10 years. I have an inventory of newsletters, emails, lectures and college level coursework to support this claim. Instead, it is about resolution. But given the abundantly clear shift in procedures that have introduced significant delays associated with updating the 8.3.0 version, Internet congestion is about as lame an excuse as I have heard in the last 5 years. In addition to 54 family members, I have a list of over 2700+ users who are experiencing the same problem.

It is now 8:00 AM EDT in the U.S. and in less than 10 minutes I will have one-third of today's results.

Tic tic tic.

CS

Edited by CurlySue, 15 July 2010 - 02:11 PM.

[bw1]

Ad-Aware 8.3.0 is the SLOWEST of ANY software PROGRAM that I have USED IN 15 YEARS of online updating.

The previous released took only seconds, sometimes - though rarely - a minute, maybe 90 seconds to update. This new 8.3.0 version has been taking anywhere between 2-1/2 to 10 minutes to update.

I am confident that there will be a few Ad-Aware moderators or like individuals whom will suggest the SLOW or LAGGING updates are due to their servers being overwhelmed by the BILLIONS of users updating to the latest version. While this may be plausible, it was NEVER this SLOW with 8.2.0 or 8.1.0 or 8.0.0 or any significant update in the past several years.

Any suggestions other than wiping Ad-Aware completely out of my system (which I have already done, twice, including but not limited to a manual scrubbing of my Registry and HDD)?

Puzzled,

Martin

Ad-Aware has been increasingly slow since AE. Two of my lesser Pentium 4 machines take 40+ seconds just to load Ad-Aware 8.3 every time. Both my Core2 machines and this P-4 load it instantly. Updates always take forever no matter what machine. All machines are kept clean with Ad-Aware (all automation off), Spybot Search & Destroy (all automation off), AVG 9.0, Eusing Free Registry cleaner, and CCleaner. I defrag the XP machines once every two to three months. For Ad-Aware I use Advanced Mode -> Settings -> Updates (check the three "do not..." radio buttons -> Ad-Watch! Live! (uncheck everything and select the "do not..." radio button -> Customize (uncheck everything). I manually update when I feel like it and use Ad-Aware as a scanner only. It often finds infections that Spybot and AVG miss.
This machine: P-4 2.8, 3GB, Win7 ultimate, mirror RAID, 25Mb fiber internet connection.
Hope this helps,
BW

[visitor]

Due to Ad-Aware's system delay, this was a duplicate of my above post. I guess the system is CONGESTED at 1:15 PM GMT.

HA!!

Actually, the board lockup is a different problem. From what I understand, it's due to the Google and Ask Jeeves spider bots which are perpetually onboard. Quite annoying.

[CurlySue]

With 54 of 54 computers reporting in, beginning Thursday 2010 JULY 15 at Midnight, in accordance with the following schedule...

FIRST
- Thursday, Midnight
- Friday, 1AM
- Saturday, 2AM
- Sunday, 3AM
- Monday, 4AM
- Tuesday, 5AM
- Wednesday, 6AM

SECOND
- Thursday, 7AM
- Friday, 8AM
- Saturday, 9AM
- Sunday, 10AM
- Monday, 11AM
- Tuesday, 12AM
- Wednesday, 1PM

THIRD
- Thursday, 2PM
- Friday, 3PM
- Saturday, 4PM
- Sunday, 5PM
- Monday, 6PM
- Tuesday, 7PM
- Wednesday, 8PM

FOURTH
- Thursday, 9PM
- Friday, 10PM
- Saturday, 11PM
- Sunday, Midnight (repeat loop)

...where the starting times of all 54 computers were staggered, I have compiled statistical data which includes not less than 4 updates (corresponding with each day since last Thursday) that reflects every hour on the current 12 hour clock (or 24 hour clock if you prefer military time).

Not surprising, given five different broadband Internet Service Providers - with download bandwidths of 15 Mbps (minimum) to 34 Mbps (maximum), with upload bandwidths between 5 and 9 Mbps - the average update download time required for Ad-Aware 8.3.0 is 21.7 (as in twenty-one point seven) minutes. The variance associated with this average is less than 2.3 (as in two point three) minutes. In other words, the average range across a sample of five ISPs, including 54 (as in fifty-four) computers - running Windows XP SP2, SP3, Linux, and Mac operating systems - is currently 19.4 to 24.0 minutes, connected to Ad-Aware servers updating Ad-Aware 8.3.0

The current average across 54 PCs is simply PATHETIC! Prior updates, including 8.2.6 and those prior, averaged less than TWO MINUTES on the same 54 computers.

So, all of you Ad-Aware profligates, it has been less than two weeks since 8.3.0 was introduced and not one of you has a credible explanation of what has truthfully happened at Ad-Aware or with its servers. Each of the 54 computers in my survey report the same issue that several other members of this forum have noted... the update has been segmented into several individual downloads with significant pause times between each segment. These segments may have existed prior to 8.3.0, but the pause times between each segment were negligible if at all existent.

So other than the usual pontifications and mutterings, got any other suggestions that are not only truthful, but reflect the position of Ad-Aware Administration?

CurlySue

[linuxcity]

Hello CurlySue,

I am sorry for the inconvenience it brought. I believe it is caused by a large definition update. Currently the only solution for it is to download the latest installer and install it again. (You can download it from download.cnet.com, for example) And we are working on an alternative solution for it. Thank you very much!

Sincerely,
Zhe

[martinsmithson]

Hello CurlySue,

I am sorry for the inconvenience it brought. I believe it is caused by a large definition update. Currently the only solution for it is to download the latest installer and install it again. (You can download it from download.cnet.com, for example) And we are working on an alternative solution for it. Thank you very much!

Sincerely,
Zhe

Tried the "latest installer" suggestion several times, including a total Registry scrubbing, both manual and several cleaners. The "installs" could not have been cleaner, and yet the problem persists. CurlySue could not be more precise in her analysis, and, in my opinion, Visitor is both indirectly and directly derisive and often antagonistic with little or no real value suggestion or recommendation.

Zhe, you state this issue "is caused by a large definition update." But the 8.2.0 definition updates are not less than 98% the size of the 8.3.0 definition updates and this DELAY problem did not exist with the 8.2.0 version. So, without additional obfuscations, what is the truth here?

Martin

Edited by martinsmithson, 20 July 2010 - 10:17 AM.

[martinsmithson]

One more question, Zhe.

As an alternative to the current DELAY PLAGUED Ad-Aware server(s) update problem(s), I tried installing the 97 MB Ad-aware 2007 / 08 / AE Definitions File 0149.0331/ 150.16 file (core.zip).

Following the instructions, I unzip the core.zip file in my C:\documents and settings\All Users\application data\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware directory. Unfortunately, no files are updated or installed with one exception > a new sub-directory named consolidate_core_output.

Any suggestions?

Martin

Edited by martinsmithson, 20 July 2010 - 10:08 AM.

[Mike...]

Ad-Aware 8.3.0 is the SLOWEST for update

You can say that again. I only manually update AA and it doesn't look like the actual downloads are taking a long time (I have a fast cable connection as well), it's the initial "update check" (even if there are no updates) and the application of downloaded updates/definitions.

[martinsmithson]

You can say that again. I only manually update AA and it doesn't look like the actual downloads are taking a long time (I have a fast cable connection as well), it's the initial "update check" (even if there are no updates) and the application of downloaded updates/definitions.

Hey, thanks for your reply, Mike.

Yeah, support really sux at this forum.

Martin

[linuxcity]

Hello Martin,

Sorry for the late reply. I think we have found the cause for this issue.

As you may know Ad-Aware switched to Viper last year and it seems it takes really long time to apply each incremental definition update, not matter how small they are. Therefore the update time is not depends on your download bandwidth. (The simple way to check it is to open your update.log file in ProgramData folder and compare the timestamps for downloading and applying operation.)

Our developers are currently working with our partner on a better update solution and it should be fixed in 2 weeks.

I apologize for all the inconvenience it may bring.

Sincerely,
Zhe
Quality Assurance Department

[linuxcity]

One more question, Zhe.

As an alternative to the current DELAY PLAGUED Ad-Aware server(s) update problem(s), I tried installing the 97 MB Ad-aware 2007 / 08 / AE Definitions File 0149.0331/ 150.16 file (core.zip).

Following the instructions, I unzip the core.zip file in my C:\documents and settings\All Users\application data\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware directory. Unfortunately, no files are updated or installed with one exception > a new sub-directory named consolidate_core_output.

Any suggestions?

Martin

Yes, as I mentioned above. The problem is from the extended engine, so simply replacing core.aawdef would not help. The Viper definition files are in extended folder.

Regards,
Zhe

[erpguy6]

Yes, as I mentioned above. The problem is from the extended engine, so simply replacing core.aawdef would not help. The Viper definition files are in extended folder.

Regards,
Zhe

and replacing the core.aawdef file and then loading Ad-aware 8.3 will give you the "wrong" version number of the Definitions File which will show version 0149.x instead of 0150.x in the program. I found out when I actually did replace that core.aawdef manually and then ran Ad-aware 8.3.

just wondering, Zhe, is Ad-aware 8.3.1 out now? I've just got back from vacation and I haven't been paying much attention as to whether or not an updated version of Ad-aware 8.3 will be released to fix the slow update problems.

Edited by erpguy6, 18 August 2010 - 01:07 AM.

[visitor]

just wondering, Zhe, is Ad-aware 8.3.1 out now? I've just got back from vacation and I haven't been paying much attention as to whether or not an updated version of Ad-aware 8.3 will be released to fix the slow update problems.

Lavasoft used to post software updates in the Support Blog:

http://www.lavasoft....ft/support/blog

I've asked them if this has stopped since 8.3 and 8.3.1 are not there. When we find out about updates, I post them in a sticky topic atop this forum and the general support forum.

[erpguy6]

hi visitor.

actually, Ad-Aware 8.3.1 has been released a few days ago.
the MajorGeeks.com site did mention Ad-Aware Free 8.3.1.

I've installed it last night on three of my machines. Runs pretty good.

[visitor]

Ad-Aware 8.3.1 has been released a few days ago.
the MajorGeeks.com site did mention Ad-Aware Free 8.3.1.

That's my point - MajorGeeks lists the newest version update, but Lavasoft's own blog does not. It's only listed in this forum because of me, and I don't work for Lavasoft.

Yet in May, Lavasoft stopped posting definition updates here, and only updates the Security Center Blog:

http://www.lavasofts...mp;#entry119465

Seems disorganized, like there's no system in place for release info

[erpguy6]

Seems disorganized, like there's no system in place for release info

oh well. anyways much of the slow update problems have been resolved in the Ad-aware 8.3.1 release. The Viper definition files seem to download faster now and Ad-aware "applies" all the updates after all of them have been downloaded rather than applying the updates in-between downloading the Viper definition files, which seem to reduce updating time.

I installed a clean version of Ad-aware Free v8.3.1 on my XP/Vista computers after uninstalling the 8.3.0 version. I didn't want to install v8.3.1 on top of v8.3.0.

So martinsmithson & CurlySue: if you two are out there, download the Ad-aware 8.3.1 setup installer package ASAP and see if you guys get better response in updating Ad-aware on your computers.

[feising]

I have version 8.3.1 running on XP and Win 7 (laptop) and it intolerably slow. Today, it took me 18 minutes for the update to complete. If it does not improve I will have to delete it. Is it possible to get Ad-Aware without the AV portion?

[visitor]

Is it possible to get Ad-Aware without the AV portion?

The AV started with version 8.3. You can download older versions at filehippo.com, but you'll have to turn off auto-update and download definitions manually:

http://www.lavasoft....hat-should-i-do

[Mike...]

I have version 8.3.1 running on XP and Win 7 (laptop) and it intolerably slow. Today, it took me 18 minutes for the update to complete. If it does not improve I will have to delete it. Is it possible to get Ad-Aware without the AV portion?

Running 8.3.1 here on W7 and it has not gotten any better. As in my earlier report, the update check (even with no new updates available) and application of updates take minutes and minutes and minutes.