sayanything2
@optonline.net
| Avira Free - Very Slow Updates
No matter what time of the day I try to manually update my Avira AntiVir 9 (Free Version), the update is so slow. It takes about five minutes to check for updates. The Status says “Scan for updates…” and it scans for roughly 3 to 5 minutes on average, before it either downloads the updates or tells me no updates are currently available.
This all started a few weeks ago, and prior to that, the updates were checked very quick, within seconds.
I have Windows Vista Home Premium and Windows Defender is disabled, since AntiVir 9 has spyware/adware protection.
Is anyone else having the same exact issue the last few weeks, and if so, is it something on Avira’s end that they are aware of? I’m not sure what I can do in order to make the updates quick like the past, and not have to wait approximately 5 minutes for it to scan for updates.
Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much in advance!
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Somnambul33t
L33t.
Premium
join:2002-12-05
Mullica Hill, NJ
clubs: | havent looked. they only release like 1 update a day anyway. i dont know why youd be doing manual updates on a home PC. thats kinda ultra-paranoid |
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dean corso
join:2007-09-07 | reply to sayanything2
Just updated my Avira 9 in about 20 seconds. |
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Erg
Too lazy for idealism
join:2008-01-19 | reply to sayanything2
Can you just set it to automatically update itself? |
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Ravenheart
join:2006-02-10
Berkeley, CA | reply to sayanything2
You can try for the wee hours Central European time (late afternoon Pacific). That's helped me at times. |
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Mele20
Premium
join:2001-06-05
Hilo, HI
| reply to sayanything2
Avira forum is full of posts about this. I had the problem myself on an XP computer. I finally reverted to ver 8 which updates within a few seconds. This appears to be connected to a change in avira 9 around June 10. It now tries to update via IPv6 addresses even on XP where the user probably has not installed IPv6. On Vista, IPv6 is installed by default. Does your Report log look like this:
[UPD] [INFO] Downloading of '»[2a01:138:a001:201::21]/update/i···ster.idx' to 'C:\ProgramData\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\TEMP\UPDATE\idx\master.idx'.
[UPDLIB] [ERROR] Download manager: An error occurred inside the WinINet library.
[UPD] [INFO] Select update server '»[2a01:138:a001:201::22]/update'.
[UPD] [INFO] Downloading of '»[2a01:138:a001:201::22]/update/i···ster.idx' to 'C:\ProgramData\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\TEMP\UPDATE\idx\master.idx'.
[UPDLIB] [ERROR] Download manager: An error occurred inside the WinINet library.
[UPD] [INFO] Downloading of '»[2a01:138:a001:201::22]/update/i···ster.idx' to 'C:\ProgramData\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\TEMP\UPDATE\idx\master.idx'.
[UPDLIB] [ERROR] Download manager: An error occurred inside the WinINet library.
See the repeated attempts to connect to Avira's IPv6 server addresses? That is just a piece of one user's log. After many, many repeated attempts to connect via IPv6, Updater finally tries an IPv4 address but that frequently doesn't work and the Updater goes back to trying IPv6 addresses over and over again instead of going on to the next Avira server using an IPv4 address. Eventually, the IPv4 ones are tried again but it may take more than one try to find a server not busy and then eventually the update takes place.
Avira refuses to explain any of this to us and we have asked repeatedly. What some of think may be happening is that because most ISPs DNS servers, and public DNS servers like Level 3's and Open DNS, return IPv6 addresses along with IPv4 ones for Avira and other sites now (as the internet makes the preparations for the slow move to IPv6) and because Avira has enabled the use of IPv6 recently in version 9 only that the Updater is confused and tries to connect to the IPv6 addresses. I say "confused" because almost no ISPs are currently supporting IPv6 on their residental networks (Comcast just announced IPv6 trials for this year and next) so there is no point in Updater trying to use those addresses. Further, on my virtual machine running XP Pro, I never installed IPv6. It is not native to XP but can be installed on it. Yet, even with it not installed AND my ISP (Road Runner) not supporting IPv6 yet Updater for Avira 9 free was trying over and over and over to connect to three IPv6 Avira addresses. I checked and my DNS servers (Road Runner and Level 3) both are returning IPv6 addresses for Avira update servers. Like you, and others, eventually I would get updated after 3-5 minutes but the same update just a few minutes later on my host XP machine (with Avira 8 free version) would take 17 seconds with no WinINet errors in the Report.
This may not be your problem. If you don't see the IPv6 addresses in the Report log then you probably have another problem. Why Avira, so far, has ignored our queries to please explain to us why we are suddenly having such slow updates and to explain if we are right and it has to do with IPv6 addresses, I don't know. I have also seen in my own Reports and others posted at the forum that after trying unsuccessfully over and over to connect to servers via IPv6 that when IPv4 is finally tried it is a strange IP used in a range that should not be available to Avira or it is a normal IPv4 server connection but Updater fails to connect and sometimes gives up entirely. Other times Updater goes back to trying IPv6 server connections or may keep trying using IPv4 going from server to server to server (maybe all ten before it finally connects).
Avira has suggested a command that has helped a very few number of users but that is what they tell a user to do if they post with this problem and the log looks like the above piece of a user's log. They ignore any questions, refuse to answer when directly asked, refuse to say anything when the user reports that the command didn't help. So, I am saying that some of us at the forum think the attempts to connect via IPv6 addresses to update servers may be why many of us now have slow updates (when there is no gigantic update which would overload the servers) but Avira has yet to state officially what the problem is. I went back to Avira 8 free on that XP computer with IPv6 checking and now my updates are very fast again. Since Avira 8 has no ability to try to use IPv6 addresses I think we may be correct about the cause of the slow updates with 9 now.
--
"The same ferocity that our founders devoted to protect the freedom and independence of the press is now appropriate for our defense of the freedom of the internet. The stakes are the same: the survival of our Republic". Al Gore, The Assault on Reason |
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sayanything2
@optonline.net
| Mele20:
Thank you so much for your detailed response. It's really appreciated and gave a lot of useful information and insight.
My report log is below, and looks like it may be what you're talking about. I'm not very savvy with the technical stuff, so I'm not positive. Does my report log below look like the issue could be what you're talking about? Thanks a lot!
Avira AntiVir Personal - Free Antivirus Updater
Creation time: Mon Jul 06 00:08:20 2009
Operating system:
Windows Vista () [6.0.6000]
Product information:
Product version: 9.0.0.403
Updater: C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\update.exe 9.0.0.49
Plugin: C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\updext.dll 9.0.0.6
Temp Directory: C:\ProgramData\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\TEMP\UPDATE\
Backup folder: C:\ProgramData\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\BACKUP\
Installation Directory: C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\
Updater folder: C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\
AppData folder: C:\ProgramData\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\
[UPD] [INFO] Checking whether newer files are available.
[UPD] [INFO] Select update server '»[2a01:138:a001:201::23]/update'.
[UPD] [INFO] Downloading of '»[2a01:138:a001:201::23]/update/i···ster.idx' to 'C:\ProgramData\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\TEMP\UPDATE\idx\master.idx'.
[UPDLIB] [ERROR] Download manager: An error occurred inside the WinINet library.
[UPD] [INFO] Downloading of '»[2a01:138:a001:201::23]/update/i···ster.idx' to 'C:\ProgramData\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\TEMP\UPDATE\idx\master.idx'.
[UPDLIB] [ERROR] Download manager: An error occurred inside the WinINet library.
[UPD] [INFO] Downloading of '»[2a01:138:a001:201::23]/update/i···ster.idx' to 'C:\ProgramData\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\TEMP\UPDATE\idx\master.idx'.
[UPDLIB] [ERROR] Download manager: An error occurred inside the WinINet library.
[UPD] [INFO] Select update server '»[2a01:138:a001:201::22]/update'.
[UPD] [INFO] Downloading of '»[2a01:138:a001:201::22]/update/i···ster.idx' to 'C:\ProgramData\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\TEMP\UPDATE\idx\master.idx'.
[UPDLIB] [ERROR] Download manager: An error occurred inside the WinINet library.
[UPD] [INFO] Downloading of '»[2a01:138:a001:201::22]/update/i···ster.idx' to 'C:\ProgramData\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\TEMP\UPDATE\idx\master.idx'.
[UPDLIB] [ERROR] Download manager: An error occurred inside the WinINet library.
[UPD] [INFO] Downloading of '»[2a01:138:a001:201::22]/update/i···ster.idx' to 'C:\ProgramData\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\TEMP\UPDATE\idx\master.idx'.
[UPDLIB] [ERROR] Download manager: An error occurred inside the WinINet library.
[UPD] [INFO] Select update server '»[2a01:138:a001:201::21]/update'.
[UPD] [INFO] Downloading of '»[2a01:138:a001:201::21]/update/i···ster.idx' to 'C:\ProgramData\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\TEMP\UPDATE\idx\master.idx'.
[UPDLIB] [ERROR] Download manager: An error occurred inside the WinINet library.
[UPD] [INFO] Downloading of '»[2a01:138:a001:201::21]/update/i···ster.idx' to 'C:\ProgramData\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\TEMP\UPDATE\idx\master.idx'.
[UPDLIB] [ERROR] Download manager: An error occurred inside the WinINet library.
[UPD] [INFO] Downloading of '»[2a01:138:a001:201::21]/update/i···ster.idx' to 'C:\ProgramData\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\TEMP\UPDATE\idx\master.idx'.
[UPDLIB] [ERROR] Download manager: An error occurred inside the WinINet library.
[UPD] [INFO] Select update server '»80.190.143.237/update'.
[UPD] [INFO] Downloading of '»80.190.143.237/update/idx/master.idx' to 'C:\ProgramData\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\TEMP\UPDATE\idx\master.idx'.
[UPD] [INFO] No update available, the installation is up-to-date.
Summary:
********
0 Files downloaded
0 Files installed
00:11:30 The update was carried out successfully! |
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dsilvers
join:2009-05-17
Canyon Lake, TX
1 edit | reply to sayanything2
Start Avira > Configuration > Expert Mode > General > Update > Web Server > Proxy > Do Not Use A Proxy Server > Apply > OK your way out. Obviously this will not work if you are using a proxy server. This work around is form an old post at Wilders than I can't seem to locate.
This does not work for everyone and you will still see the same errors in your update logs. However, updates here are under 30 seconds for the last 30 days. Your mileage may vary.
Running XP SP3 fully patched Avira 9.
Regards,
Dave |
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Traxless
Premium
join:2005-02-16
USA | reply to sayanything2
I must be lucky because my updates take less than 20 seconds to include the countdown to close. I am using AntiVir 9. Please note that I am not discounting the OP issue. |
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jabarnut
Light Years Away
Premium,MVM
join:2005-01-22
Galaxy M31
1 edit | reply to sayanything2
I've been "playing around" with version 9 on one of my machines (the rest still have version 8), and I've had no problem whatsoever updating.
As Ravenheart  suggested: "You can try for the wee hours Central European time" (I'm on the east coast USA, so I think they're around 6 hours later than me).
That's a little trick Mele20 mentioned once and I never forgot it....generally works fine for me.
(Edit) I usually only bother to update once a day (and not automatically), but rather right click on the system tray icon and select "start update"...around 8 or 9:00 at night, eastern time.
--
I had a life once.....now I have a Computer and a Modem. |
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Ravenheart
join:2006-02-10
Berkeley, CA
| reply to sayanything2
I guess IPv4 entries start out like this:
[UPD] [INFO] Checking whether newer files are available.
[UPD] [INFO] Select update server '»80.190.143.237/update'.
[UPD] [INFO] Downloading of '»80.190.143.237/update/idx/master.idx' to 'D:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\TEMP\UPDATE\idx\master.idx'....
For me, just another bonus for staying with Windows 2000, it looks like. |
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55580504
join:2009-06-12
| said by Ravenheart :For me, just another bonus for staying with Windows 2000, it looks like. So what are you doing about errata updates and security updates since it's EOL? |
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Ravenheart
join:2006-02-10
Berkeley, CA
| said by 55580504 :said by Ravenheart :For me, just another bonus for staying with Windows 2000, it looks like. So what are you doing about errata updates and security updates since it's EOL? I don't think they're gone. "The end-of-life date for Windows 2000 will be no sooner than January 1, 2010."--KB891861.
I've been relying more on manual (such as Registry) fixes and third-party security software anyway. |
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sayanything2
@optonline.net
| reply to sayanything2
Thanks so much for everyone's help.
Just as an update, it appears it "may" have fixed itself on it's own, which probably means Avira may have fixed it. I have tried three manual updates this morning (EST), and it took just a few seconds, as opposed to 3 to 5 minutes. Hopefully I didn't speak too soon, but so far, so good, for this morning. It's the first time in many weeks it took this quick to update. |
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sayanything2
@optonline.net | reply to sayanything2
I spoke too soon. The issue still persists. |
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jabarnut
Light Years Away
Premium,MVM
join:2005-01-22
Galaxy M31
1 edit | Right after I saw you post (a short time ago), I tried updating and it took around 30 seconds to download the files and install them.
Not sure what to suggest at this point, or why I'm having better luck.
I see you're on the East Coast like me.....I'd be interested to see how successful you are trying an update later in the evening, when "Europe is asleep" as mentioned earlier.
This has been an intermittent problem with Aviras Servers for quite some time (even with v8).
But my Mele's "update at night" solution has always worked during those times.
Anyway, good luck. 
--
I had a life once.....now I have a Computer and a Modem. |
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sayanything2
@optonline.net
| I don't think it has anything to do with the time I try. Prior to a few weeks ago, no matter what time I tried to manually update, it took from a few seconds to several seconds, but the last few weeks, no matter what time, be it 8:00 PM, 9:00 PM EST, it takes 3 to 5 minutes, with errors in the report.
I'll update again if I get anywhere with this, but I have a feeling it's on Avira's end. Having just read some posts on their forum, it appears I'm not the only one who had this issue around the same time-frame. |
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