those of us who have tried 2007 & still want to keep SE can go to the below site for up to date definintions. i believe Lavasoft is aware of 2007 negative response and has been god enough to keep us diehard SE lovers going. the url listed below will solve your problem:


http://www.lavasoft.com/support/securitycenter/blog/

I have SE Personal(free) Build 1.06r1. I manually installed the defs found at the above link; SE1R210 02.01.2008. My question is; are these compatable with my free version? I ran a full scan and all acted as it always does, and picked up my usual 15 negligible objects. I saw on another forum all SE defs are the same, just wanted to get some kind of verification here. Also, am I correct in saying we can continue running like this until the main SE program just gets too old to be useful? Thanks

i am using the same free version as you are and it works fine. i found that download accidently by viewing cnet.com. i have no clue as to how long lavasoft will keep these definitions available.
Ike

thanks

When Ad-Aware SE loads, in the Initialization Status box, you can click 'details' after where it tells you what definitions file is loaded. SE1R211 appears to be exactly what you expect as an incremental update to SE1R210 (build+1, slightly bigger in physical size, signatures, fingerprints, target families).

I think therefore, it's safe to assume that this file will work just fine, providing the same protection as the final auto-download file (SE1R210) plus a little bit more!

SE1B212 (the beta version of SE1R212) is being tested at the moment, so get ready for SE1R212 in a few days time!

It's available !!

Spoke 2 hours too soon!!

You can also download the latest defs file at http://download.lavasoft.com/public/defs.zip I hope these keep going as I had a lot of problems with Ad-Aware 2007, which can be summed up as 'It didn't work', so I reverted to SE which has never given me any trouble.

Hello All,

I realise that you are all content with being able to continue running AAW SE at present, albeit with having to download Defs manually.

That said, sooner rather than later, all access to AAW SE support will be cut off. To quote Madeline9 for example:



Since most problems now appear to be related to a particular user's system or program configuration, it might be best to "bite the bullet" and install AAW 2007 (Free, if you haven't paid for a license).

Any individual problems that may be encountered may then be worked through individually to the satisfaction of all - some of you may be reluctant to acknowledge that I personally have helped many users adjust to AAW 2007.

We volunteers are here to assist all of the Free version users as best as we can - licensed users (Plus & Pro) have access to one-on-one paid support through the Support Center.

Regards,

Spike

That's all very well, Spike, but I did "bite the bullet" and it all went pear-shaped!
1. I downloaded Ad-Aware 2007 via links on the Lavasoft site, uninstalled Ad-Aware SE and installed the new program - so far so good. Then...
2. I couldn't update the program. It kept telling me to "Run Webupdate" - I was! The only way I could update it was to disable my firewall, something I really don't like to do. However, I bit this 2nd bullet and did it and the update was installed. Next...
3. Tried to run a scan. Nothing, nada, zilch! I think it was trying to start the scanner, but after waiting for 10 minutes, I gave up. Then...
4. I had a look at the Ad-Aware 2007 forum here and decided to try to add AAW 2007 to be allowed by my firewall. I had wondered why my firewall hadn't popped up to let me know that AAW 2007 was trying to access the Internet and what did I want to do, it always does for either new programs or new versions of existing programs. Not this time though; when I tried to add it to my permitted programs, it said that the author of the program was unknown and that the program wasn't digitally signed, despite my having downloaded it via Lavasoft! By this time, I was heartily fed up, so ...
5. I uninstalled AAW 2007, did a SR and was back to AAW SE Personal, which is where I am now and where I will stay, with or without updates unless/until Lavasoft can produce a version of AAW 2007 that I can use without all this hassle.
My program configuration isn't unusual from what I've read and other anti-spyware scanners install and work immediately with no problems whatsoever. I've used various incarnations of Ad-Aware since some time in 2003 and have never had problems ... until now.
Back in 2003, the 2 recommended programs to deal with spyware, adware etc were AAW and Spybot S&D, both of which I still use. Since then, as you know, the problems with this malware has become much more acute and there are now a lot more excellent programs which can deal effectively with these threats. SUPERAntiSpyware, a-squared and AVG Anti-Spyware spring to mind. I've used the free versions of all 3 and they work without difficulty.
On other forums I've seen people saying that they will no longer use Ad-Aware because of the problems with it and - let's face it - they don't need to with so many other good programs, both paid-for and free, around.
You may think that only a few people have trouble with AAW 2007 as there aren't hundreds or thousands of posts here about it. You may see the statistics about how many people have downloaded it, but how many people still have it? Does anyone know? I know of 4 people who tried AAW 2007, but got rid of it because it wouldn't work properly, if at all and that's just me! Most people who find a program to be unsatisfactory won't go to a forum, they'll just uninstall it and use an alternative program.
Lavasoft's Ad-Aware has always, until now, had a good name. It would be great pity if it lost that.
Ah, I feel better now I've got that off my chest! I know it's not you and I appreciate the advice you give to us all in these forums, as do many other people I expect, but I do hope that Lavasoft address some of the problems with AAW 2007 soon. Until then it's Ad-Aware SE for me!

I've put all the reasons you need to switch to the new version here:
http://www.lavasoftsupport.com/index.php?showtopic=15293

We don't recommend continuing with the SE version because it is NOT effective in dealing with today's malware. You really need to realize that it is obsolete and that is why we rebuilt Ad-Aware from the ground up.

You may think you see a lot of problems with it but that is truly not representative of the millions of users who have now migrated to the new Version 2007. We do only see those having a problem posting here, but is expected, naturally that those not having problem we will not hear from. This is usually due to a system configuration or possible problem unique to a system and not the product itself (as in your case with your firewall problem Madeline9 - if your firewall is blocking Ad-Aware and not allowed through you need fix that because, yes, it will not update).

Well, LS Calamity Jane, you are trying hard to get us all to update to this flawed, new version!
Why does my firewall have a problem with AAW 2007? It doesn't and never has with any other program. Read again my point 4:
4. I had a look at the Ad-Aware 2007 forum here and decided to try to add AAW 2007 to be allowed by my firewall. I had wondered why my firewall hadn't popped up to let me know that AAW 2007 was trying to access the Internet and what did I want to do, it always does for either new programs or new versions of existing programs. Not this time though; when I tried to add it to my permitted programs, it said that the author of the program was unknown and that the program wasn't digitally signed, despite my having downloaded it via Lavasoft!
The point is, my firewall simply doesn't recognise AAW 2007 as a legitimate program. It has the facility for me to add things, but not this time, you've read the message I got.
Also, I don't doubt for one moment that many people have the same issues with AAW 2007 as have been posted here, but they won't visit a forum, they'll dump the program and get a different one. People who visit forums are a tiny part of the on-line population, so you can't really extrapolate much from what you see here.
One day, I'll probably try AAW 2007 again, but not yet. I'll keep AAW SE and use it, with or without updates, to scan for things that are already in the database. I'll also use other programs which install, update and run with no problems, there are quite a few excellent free ones about now.
One thing is for sure, I won't be forced into using an unsatisfactory program. It'll be a case of 2 strikes (3 if I'm in a good mood) and AAW 2007's out.
I'll be sorry about it because Ad-Aware's always served me well in the past and up until now.

I don't know but we would like to find out.

Thanks for the specific feedback!
What firewall are you using and perhaps we can duplicate the problem to find a resolution.

CalamityJane, I appreciate the need to encourage people migrate to newer and more advanced versions of security software, as many people tend to stick with tried and tested software they feel comfortable with, but you're missing the point somewhat in this melee! Most of the people here who are having a gripe are doing so because they're running Windows 2000 or 98SE and are therefore unable to upgrade to Ad-Aware 2007. Therefore it's a case of continuing to use Ad-Aware SE or buggering off elsewhere!!

You assert that Ad-Aware SE is "woefully inadequate against today's newer threats", but those newer threats almost exclusively target XP and Vista with their much larger networking footprints and service sets. As long as definition file support remains forthcoming (as appears to be the case) SE will afford powerful protection to systems running 2000 and 98SE in conjunction with a decent antivirus product and firewall.

(By the way, I hold a bachelors in Software Engineering, and I'm typing this message on a Win98SE box that's TOTALLY SECURE via a dialup connection!!)

For some background on win98SE security read this blog
http://weblogs.mozillazine.org/gerv/archiv...me_support.html

Thank you for your reply. Please explain how to install the downloaded definition(s) into Ad-Aware Se Personal (free) Build 1.06r1.

1) Download the file to your desktop (or any other location on your hard disk you wish).
2) Double click the file (which will be named defs.zip). You'll probably have Winzip installed on your machine and if so this will run.
3) Extract the file to Program Files\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware SE Personal\
4) Prior to 3, you might want to rename your old definitions file defs.ref.old so that it's not overwritten and you can revert to it.

Hello Jaheira,

Ad-Aware 2007 DOES run on Win2k. It's Windows 98 and ME that is no longer supported. No longer supported by Microsoft either.

Here are the system requirements for Ad-Aware 2007 FYI:

System Requirements

Pentium 600 MHz or faster

RAM Operating system +
minimum 50 MB (100 MB
recommended)

50 MB free hard disk space

Operating Systems

Windows 2000
(Pro and Server)

Windows Server 2003

Windows XP
(Home and Pro)

Windows Vista (32 bit)

Web Browsers

Internet Explorer
(version 5.5 or higher)

Firefox (version 1.5 or higher)

Opera (version 9 or higher)

Ok, I mixed up ME and 2000!!

My mistake. Though that doesn't really change the point I was making................

Six months ago, when AdAware 2007 was first released, I installed it having been loyal user of AdAware for as many years as I've had a PC (almost). It is such a long time ago I cannot remember all the reasons why I didn't like 2007 but it seemed cumbersome compared to SE (and certainly bloatware by comparison).

I have 4 physical HDDs with about 4 partitions on each. With SE I could do a custom scans, according to the content of the partitions, which I undertook over differing timescales. The content of some partitions were not exposed to the possibility of spyware infection so a long, full scan needed to be undertaken relatively infrequently and a minimal 'smart' scan undertaken most days. However I found it valuable to be able to selectively scan other partitions at longer time intervals. Custom scans were now only available in the paid for version. I uninstalled 2007.

I had been away over the Christmas period and my last definition was approximately mid December. I kept getting the 'No definition updates available' message which I thought strange. This, it turned out, was untrue as I eventually discovered by searching out this forum. I could find nothing on the Lavasoft home page, press releases, news etc. about the withdrawal of full support for SE.

So now I know I can manually download and install definition updates, and have done so. However it is messy and inconvenient. My habit was to regularly perform a basic 'Smart System Scan', checking for updated definitions before a scan so the inconvenience of doing this manually has now become a deterrent to using AdAware SE. I have sought out and installed several other free anti-malware programs some of which I will keep and others which are still being evaluated. I don't know if I will try 2007 again - maybe it has been updated since its first release. I had no idea so many others had found it less then satisfactory.

I consider it a bad move to update a program but oblige users to pay for functions that were previously available for free in an earlier version. I also consider withdrawing the facility of downloading definition updates from within the program without any hint of this to be very poor practice. For a couple of weeks I believed the untrue assertions of no updates when these were in fact available. For those of us that want to continue using SE I consider this deliberate introduction of inconvenience a hassle and petty. If the definition updates ARE available why cannot they be made available by clicking on the 'connect' button as before?

My continued affiliation with AdAware and Lavasoft is currently hanging by a thread.

As a WindowsMe user (who therefore can't use Ad-Adware 2007), and as a user who prefers to just use my computer rather than worrying too much about how it works, can I add my own plea to Lavasoft to make Ad-Aware Se Personal updates available via the 'auto-update' mecchanism again? Surely this would be a simple matter.

This would be so much easier for us 'non-techies' than all this unzipping and extracting, whatever they are!

Please Lavasoft, take pity on us!

Adie

Hi ALL

Ad-Aware SE Personal ended at 31.12 2007!
The reasons were explained here >> http://www.lavasoftsupport.com/index.php?showtopic=15293 <<
This forum is exclusively a help forum for AAW users.
If you want to update from SE pers. to AAW2007 free - feel free to post your problems - we'll try to help everyone.

SE yes or not ; please direct your interests and preferences to Lavasoft.com.
I'll try to close this thread .

Sorry for inconvenience
Raziel