Avast! offered a program update!
PCR
virus definition updates-- avast! offered to update its program! Why? I
thought they were dropping us by the end of year? I'll probably take it
in later tonight.
--
Thanks or Good Luck,
There may be humor in this post, and,
Naturally, you will not sue,
Should things get worse after this,
PCR
pcr...@netzero.net
MEB
> On my Win98SE with avast! Home Edition v.4.8.1335 after my automatic
> virus definition updates-- avast! offered to update its program! Why? I
> thought they were dropping us by the end of year? I'll probably take it
> in later tonight.
>
>
As far as I can tell, that is still the case. Why wouldn't you expect a
program update, did you forget the flurry of updates just prior to the
EOL for 98?
There are other OSs running that version, so they also got the update...
--
MEB
Windows Networking, Diagnostics, and other materials
http://peoplescounsel.org/ref/windows-main.htm
The "real world" of Law, Justice, and government
http://peoplescounsel.org
-------
PCR
> PCR wrote:
>> On my Win98SE with avast! Home Edition v.4.8.1335 after my automatic
>> virus definition updates-- avast! offered to update its program!
>> Why? I thought they were dropping us by the end of year? I'll
>> probably take it in later tonight.
>>
>>
>
> As far as I can tell, that is still the case. Why wouldn't you
> expect a program update, did you forget the flurry of updates just
> prior to the EOL for 98?
> There are other OSs running that version, so they also got the
> update...
You've dashed my hopes! :-).
MEB
> MEB wrote:
>> PCR wrote:
>>> On my Win98SE with avast! Home Edition v.4.8.1335 after my automatic
>>> virus definition updates-- avast! offered to update its program!
>>> Why? I thought they were dropping us by the end of year? I'll
>>> probably take it in later tonight.
>>>
>>>
>> As far as I can tell, that is still the case. Why wouldn't you
>> expect a program update, did you forget the flurry of updates just
>> prior to the EOL for 98?
>> There are other OSs running that version, so they also got the
>> update...
>
> You've dashed my hopes! :-).
>
>
Oops, sorry...
philo
> On my Win98SE with avast! Home Edition v.4.8.1335 after my automatic
> virus definition updates-- avast! offered to update its program! Why? I
> thought they were dropping us by the end of year? I'll probably take it
> in later tonight.
>
>
If Avast is dropping support for win98 at the end of the year
why are you surprised that you can still get an update in August?
LOL
PCR
That's pretty close. Would you update a program -- I'm not talking about
virus definitions -- 4 months before it is defunct? But you & MEB have
dashed my hopes. Nevertheless, shortly I will take the update.
> LOL
who where
>On my Win98SE with avast! Home Edition v.4.8.1335 after my automatic
>virus definition updates-- avast! offered to update its program! Why? I
>thought they were dropping us by the end of year? I'll probably take it
>in later tonight.
I just finished removing Avast from my 98SE machine. Apart from the very
noticeable performance hit (Firefox and Eudora), it actually screwed up Firefox
completely. After removal I have to resore a five-day old reg. to get things
sort of normal (it had only bee installed for three when I pulled the plug).
square/circle
> PCR wrote:
>> On my Win98SE with avast! Home Edition v.4.8.1335 after my automatic
>> virus definition updates-- avast! offered to update its program! Why? I
>> thought they were dropping us by the end of year? I'll probably take it
>> in later tonight.
>>
>>
>
> As far as I can tell, that is still the case. Why wouldn't you expect a
> program update, did you forget the flurry of updates just prior to the
> EOL for 98?
> There are other OSs running that version, so they also got the update...
>
Hello all,,
Yes, they are dropping it. I wrote to them over a week ago on another
matter and also queried the 'drop' date and why they were doing it. It
has much to do with the engine and other technical jargon, but either
way, they are killing it.
I also wrote to 'Eset Nod32', regarding whether it will still support 98
and how much it would cost just for the AV; no reply so far. (I am
trying to find one in readiness for when Avast stops)
S/C
PCR
I've heard other complaints like that. I've only really noticed a
performance hit when avast! has completed its virus definition updates &
is in the process of opening its pop-up window to click for Summary.txt.
At that point, all is frozen for the several seconds it takes for that
pop-up to come & go. I guess they want total control for some reason.
Afterwards, all is fine. (But I don't often do much while the
auto-definition update is in process but run OE & IE. It's possible I
once tried Explorer & found it to be sluggish or worse during that
update which takes 10-15 minutes.) I've even uninstalled avast! once to
redo an early program update that seemed to fail coming in
automatically, & that uninstall went well.
But it makes little/no sense to defend avast! now. MEB & philo &
square/circle have dashed my hopes & put 3 nails in the coffin!
PCR
> MEB wrote:
>> PCR wrote:
>>> On my Win98SE with avast! Home Edition v.4.8.1335 after my automatic
>>> virus definition updates-- avast! offered to update its program!
>>> Why? I thought they were dropping us by the end of year? I'll
>>> probably take it in later tonight.
>>>
>>>
>>
>> As far as I can tell, that is still the case. Why wouldn't you
>> expect a program update, did you forget the flurry of updates just
>> prior to the EOL for 98?
>> There are other OSs running that version, so they also got the
>> update...
>>
>
> Hello all,,
>
> Yes, they are dropping it. I wrote to them over a week ago on another
> matter and also queried the 'drop' date and why they were doing it. It
> has much to do with the engine and other technical jargon, but either
> way, they are killing it.
That's another nail in the coffin of my hopes! Did they say whether
avast! would continue to run but just not update definitions? MEB has
speculated it will refuse to run altogether at the next update of
definitions. If it runs, I might try something with the Blocker tab in
the Resident Task Settings requestor.
> I also wrote to 'Eset Nod32', regarding whether it will still support
> 98 and how much it would cost just for the AV; no reply so far. (I am
> trying to find one in readiness for when Avast stops)
>
> S/C
--
MEB
> square/circle wrote:
>> MEB wrote:
>>> PCR wrote:
>>>> On my Win98SE with avast! Home Edition v.4.8.1335 after my automatic
>>>> virus definition updates-- avast! offered to update its program!
>>>> Why? I thought they were dropping us by the end of year? I'll
>>>> probably take it in later tonight.
>>>>
>>>>
>>> As far as I can tell, that is still the case. Why wouldn't you
>>> expect a program update, did you forget the flurry of updates just
>>> prior to the EOL for 98?
>>> There are other OSs running that version, so they also got the
>>> update...
>>>
>> Hello all,,
>>
>> Yes, they are dropping it. I wrote to them over a week ago on another
>> matter and also queried the 'drop' date and why they were doing it. It
>> has much to do with the engine and other technical jargon, but either
>> way, they are killing it.
>
> That's another nail in the coffin of my hopes! Did they say whether
> avast! would continue to run but just not update definitions? MEB has
> speculated it will refuse to run altogether at the next update of
> definitions.
I would think that a few might be offered after EOS, but version 4 will
be replaced with a strictly NT and BeOS/*nix/Linux/MAC version 5 which
will change the procedures. On the other hand, since the system and
files are checked prior to update, a simple kill could be easily placed.
My prior PAID version of another Anti-V did exactly that, a thirty day
grace with an auto kill afterwards...
> If it runs, I might try something with the Blocker tab in
> the Resident Task Settings requestor.
>
>> I also wrote to 'Eset Nod32', regarding whether it will still support
>> 98 and how much it would cost just for the AV; no reply so far. (I am
>> trying to find one in readiness for when Avast stops)
>>
>> S/C
>
--
square/circle
>> Hello all,,
>>
>> Yes, they are dropping it. I wrote to them over a week ago on another
>> matter and also queried the 'drop' date and why they were doing it. It
>> has much to do with the engine and other technical jargon, but either
>> way, they are killing it.
>
> That's another nail in the coffin of my hopes!
Did they say whether
> avast! would continue to run but just not update definitions? \
---------------------
Hello,
98% of our users have Windows XP or Vista, 0.5% have Windows 95,98 or
Me. The rest are server systems. Sorry but we have to support the most
used systems and the new Windows 7. Unfortunately it is not possible to
have new avast 5 running fine on upcoming Windows 7 and still working
under Windows 9x. And as you can see we are one of the last AV
devolopers having antivirus working under these older systems which
shows our respect for win9x user's loyalty. But we have to leave this
platform as Microsoft did many years ago.
Best regards,
ALWIL Software a.s. support team
Ticket Details
===================
Ticket ID: GRL-423715
Department: [ENG] Technical support
Priority: Default
Status: On Hold
---------------------
Hello PCR,,
This is one of the replies I got,, as for the definitions, they
mentioned in the last mail to me that they would continue right up until
'noose' time. If you like, I am more than happy to mail them again
with questions regarding the running, (I have become quite familiar with
a couple in their office/regime) and I am sure they will tell all.\
Now, I have a plan, if your are interested?? It would take all faithful
98 users to make it work, but I know it would work if all got behind it.
The end result would be a happy 98 bunch as well as a content Avast
administration/ceo(s)
S/C
PCR
No, I meant -- after they discontinue support for Win98 -- I think you
speculated the next update attempt of virus definitions might cause
avast! to cease to function. But auto-updates of defs can be turned off
to prevent that when the time comes. OTOH, they could cause it to cease
another way. Maybe they're checking for that updates expiration date all
the time (shown in its About box). Mine is Nov. 1, 2009. Hmm, that's
even quicker! But will the program cease to function or just the
updates? I see square/circle is willing to ask.
>> If it runs, I might try something with the Blocker tab in
>> the Resident Task Settings requestor.
>>
>>> I also wrote to 'Eset Nod32', regarding whether it will still
>>> support 98 and how much it would cost just for the AV; no reply so
>>> far. (I am trying to find one in readiness for when Avast stops)
>>>
>>> S/C
--
PCR
Yuck! That letter sounded fairly definitive! Yea, go ahead & ask whether
the program stops working altogether or whether it's just definition &
program updates that stop. Thanks.
> Now, I have a plan, if your are interested?? It would take all
> faithful 98 users to make it work, but I know it would work if all
> got behind it. The end result would be a happy 98 bunch as well as a
> content Avast administration/ceo(s)
Do we really all add up to just 0.5% of their users of avast!-- or could
they have meant to say 5%? And are they speaking of paying customers
only? What's your plan? No money! I never sent a penny to McAfee,
either-- & neither of them ever actually caught a real virus!, though
they both worked well at...
http://www.eicar.org/anti_virus_test_file.htm
> S/C
>
> MEB has
>> speculated it will refuse to run altogether at the next update of
>> definitions. If it runs, I might try something with the Blocker tab
>> in the Resident Task Settings requestor.
--
MEB
Oh I knew what you meant. Using my prior paid version as example, IIRC
the kill date had been implemented one or two versions and multiple
sub-versions before the end, it literally wouldn't run [hard coded
physical time as in the actual date, which was BEFORE subscription end -
they directed to the XP version]... the updates would only install in
the newer versions and the download versions couldn't be used [format
change], so essentially it was a year or so before... or use a version
which was so outdated it was useless and not upgradeable...
Maybe Alwil has other plans...
You aren't seriously considering using an outdated AV are you?
>
>>> If it runs, I might try something with the Blocker tab in
>>> the Resident Task Settings requestor.
>>>
>>>> I also wrote to 'Eset Nod32', regarding whether it will still
>>>> support 98 and how much it would cost just for the AV; no reply so
>>>> far. (I am trying to find one in readiness for when Avast stops)
>>>>
>>>> S/C
>
--
Buffalo
PCR wrote:
> On my Win98SE with avast! Home Edition v.4.8.1335 after my automatic
> virus definition updates-- avast! offered to update its program! Why?
> I thought they were dropping us by the end of year? I'll probably
> take it in later tonight.
Won't an old version of Norton still work?
A version like 2002 or 2003 after you finish the updating?
Buffalo
PCR
Right. It's wait & see.
> You aren't seriously considering using an outdated AV are you?
Well -- if it functions -- it still can continue to test for the myriad
of viruses & trojans I've never caught. Also, it might have some
heuristics for new ones. Finally, there might be something I can do with
the Blocker tab at the Resident Task Settings requestor. That will I
think cause a requestor to open whenever certain file operations are
attempted like opening a file for writing. It seems drastic, but I'd
only do it while online.
>>
>>>> If it runs, I might try something with the Blocker tab in
>>>> the Resident Task Settings requestor.
>>>>
>>>>> I also wrote to 'Eset Nod32', regarding whether it will still
>>>>> support 98 and how much it would cost just for the AV; no reply
>>>>> so far. (I am trying to find one in readiness for when Avast
>>>>> stops)
>>>>>
>>>>> S/C
--
PCR
I've grown accustomed to avast! now. I've heard the earlier versions of
Norton were better than the monstrous final version. But can one still
update the earlier version even just up to a certain point? And avast!
may have other useful if cumbersome & drastic abilities.
MEB
Hmm, I sure wouldn't recommend that to anyone, things are changing too
rapidly. Hopefully S/C comes up with something concrete...
>
>>>>> If it runs, I might try something with the Blocker tab in
>>>>> the Resident Task Settings requestor.
>>>>>
>>>>>> I also wrote to 'Eset Nod32', regarding whether it will still
>>>>>> support 98 and how much it would cost just for the AV; no reply
>>>>>> so far. (I am trying to find one in readiness for when Avast
>>>>>> stops)
>>>>>>
>>>>>> S/C
>
--
PCR
I've got my eyes & ears open for S/C's next words. Failing anything
turns up, I guess I'd increase my internet zone from medium to high
safety & take other precautions. Also, I'd create a second, bootable
partition that never or very rarely will be connected to the internet.
>>
>>>>>> If it runs, I might try something with the Blocker tab in
>>>>>> the Resident Task Settings requestor.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I also wrote to 'Eset Nod32', regarding whether it will still
>>>>>>> support 98 and how much it would cost just for the AV; no reply
>>>>>>> so far. (I am trying to find one in readiness for when Avast
>>>>>>> stops)
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> S/C
--
MEB
You're still at medium for Internet Zone? Am I not remembering
correctly or didn't an update or two from Microsoft place IE [and
subsequently OE] in High Safety [or was that just a recommendation]?
As an aside, S/C requested help with the setup of Kerio PF [perhaps you
noticed], I thought you and I might collaborate with some
recommendations as you have or had NetZero, and the conf I intend to use
was for AOL. Apparently a phone line ISP will be used, so between the
two they might give indication of the various styles or rules that might
apply. We did indicate a few years ago we might re-address the issue.
S/C is helping you and I am willing to help with the setup [you can
likely provide a more measured idea, whereas mine might be over-kill to
most].
Are you game if Kerio is used? [the computer was apparently going to be
taken to a local computer guy for some issues, that may be the present
delay]
>
>>>>>>> If it runs, I might try something with the Blocker tab in
>>>>>>> the Resident Task Settings requestor.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I also wrote to 'Eset Nod32', regarding whether it will still
>>>>>>>> support 98 and how much it would cost just for the AV; no reply
>>>>>>>> so far. (I am trying to find one in readiness for when Avast
>>>>>>>> stops)
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> S/C
>
--
square/circle
> philo wrote:
>> PCR wrote:
>>> On my Win98SE with avast! Home Edition v.4.8.1335 after my automatic
>>> virus definition updates-- avast! offered to update its program!
>>> Why? I thought they were dropping us by the end of year? I'll
>>> probably take it in later tonight.
>>>
>>>
>>
>> If Avast is dropping support for win98 at the end of the year
>> why are you surprised that you can still get an update in August?
>
> That's pretty close. Would you update a program -- I'm not talking about
> virus definitions -- 4 months before it is defunct? But you & MEB have
> dashed my hopes. Nevertheless, shortly I will take the update.
>
>> LOL
>
i gotta be quick, is real late. i got the new engine update 4 days ago,
forgot to mention that before.
S/C
PCR
You beat me to it, then. Probably, I'll take it tonight for sure. I
think I'll go to the site & try to find a complete download instead of
just clicking to update.
I wonder have you checked at... avast! Settings, Update (Connections)...
to see whether you are set right? I know you are having Internet time
out problems in another thread, but they started a month ago before you
took this update. Anyhow... since you are DialUp like me, you should be
checked "I only connect to the Internet using a dial-up modem" there.
Also, click the Proxy button. Mine is bolted "Auto detect (use Internet
Explorer settings)". What happens when you click the "Test connection"
button? Also, do this...
Optimization for dial-up connections
If you use dial-up connection only, there's another way to detect if the
computer is connected to the Internet or not. avast! can elicit the
connection status from the modem status - so it will NOT ping our
servers every 40 seconds. To set avast! this way, follow these steps:
a. In Notepad, open the file AVAST4.INI
(C:\PROGRAM FILES\ALWIL SOFTWARE\AVAST4\DATA)
b. Find section [InetWD]. If this section doesn�t exist, create it.
c. Into this section insert this row:
UseRAS=1
d. Save the file and restart your computer.
After that, check SpyBot's myriad settings to be sure nothing in there
is doing it. I may download & re-install SpyBot, myself, now that avast!
appears to be terminating. Zabcar knows everything in the world about
modems. Stick with him for that. The Registry keys he posted to you seem
to be what I've got too. I know you already are investigating the URLs
MEB posted & are searching for PA Bear's Antartic cave where he has
entered an early hibernation! Good luck!
> S/C
square/circle
>> i gotta be quick, is real late. i got the new engine update 4 days
>> ago, forgot to mention that before.
>
> You beat me to it, then. Probably, I'll take it tonight for sure. I
> think I'll go to the site & try to find a complete download instead of
> just clicking to update.
>
> I wonder have you checked at... avast! Settings, Update (Connections)...
> to see whether you are set right?
No, I hadnt ever done that before, but since reading what you just said,
I have found::
1)Both the boxes in the first diag-box are un-ticked(but it must have
been like this for 5yrs)
2)In the Proxy area I have AutoDetect ticked.
--------
I know you are having Internet time
> out problems in another thread, but they started a month ago before you
> took this update. Anyhow... since you are DialUp like me, you should be
> checked "I only connect to the Internet using a dial-up modem" there.
> Also, click the Proxy button. Mine is bolted "Auto detect (use Internet
> Explorer settings)". What happens when you click the "Test connection"
> button? Also, do this...
>
> Optimization for dial-up connections
-----
????? is that in the Avast area?? or are you relating to
the next part of instructions
-----
>
> If you use dial-up connection only, there's another way to detect if the
> computer is connected to the Internet or not. avast! can elicit the
> connection status from the modem status - so it will NOT ping our
> servers every 40 seconds. To set avast! this way, follow these steps:
>
> a. In Notepad, open the file AVAST4.INI
> (C:\PROGRAM FILES\ALWIL SOFTWARE\AVAST4\DATA)
> b. Find section [InetWD]. If this section doesn�t exist, create it.
> c. Into this section insert this row:
> UseRAS=1
> d. Save the file and restart your computer.
-------------
Yes, it is there, and its:: UseRAS=0 and, under the same initWD is
this:: AssumeAlwaysConnected=0
I dont want to change these right now because I dont want to reboot, I
only just got back on the net after yet again being suspended. (have
just posted again to Franc regarding this and attached the modem log of
which shows my disconnect and some sort of error 24... if you'd like to
look at it.
--------------------
>
> After that, check SpyBot's myriad settings to be sure nothing in there
> is doing it. I may download & re-install SpyBot, myself, now that avast!
> appears to be terminating.
-----------------
Do you know of any other anti-spyware programs that still include 98?
Even Super-Ant gave me the flick a couple of months ago; and lets not
even go into Adaware. I guess I am like you, only have SpyBot and
Avast. Oops, thats a lie, I also have SpywareBlaster, but the updates
only come about every 2-3weeks, and even then there arent many.
---------------
Zabcar knows everything in the world about
> modems.
----------
Yes, I found that out,, he is definately da-modem-man.
Stick with him for that. The Registry keys he posted to you seem
> to be what I've got too. I know you already are investigating the URLs
> MEB posted & are searching for PA Bear's Antartic cave where he has
> entered an early hibernation! Good luck!
----------
I found a folder on my BookMarks in F/F called Forums, I have heaps and
heaps stashed there,, so it was my bad in not using them.
S/C
ps, sorry I took so long to get back,, guess I have been fussing with
the modem too much at the moment.
square/circle
>> Did they say whether
>>> avast! would continue to run but just not update definitions? \
> Yuck! That letter sounded fairly definitive! Yea, go ahead & ask whether
> the program stops working altogether or whether it's just definition &
> program updates that stop. Thanks.
Sorry for lateness,, Am sure I will get a reply real soon.
S/C
PCR
>>> i gotta be quick, is real late. i got the new engine update 4 days
>>> ago, forgot to mention that before.
>>
>> You beat me to it, then. Probably, I'll take it tonight for sure. I
>> think I'll go to the site & try to find a complete download instead
>> of just clicking to update.
>>
>> I wonder have you checked at... avast! Settings, Update
>> (Connections)... to see whether you are set right?
> ----------------
>
> No, I hadnt ever done that before, but since reading what you just
> said, I have found::
> 1)Both the boxes in the first diag-box are un-ticked(but it must have
> been like this for 5yrs)
It won't hurt to check the right one, though the avast! docs apparently
don't insist upon it.
> 2)In the Proxy area I have AutoDetect ticked.
> --------
The docs say that will cause avast! to use IE's setting...
"Auto detect (use Internet Explorer settings). avast! will use the
settings that Internet Explorer browser is using."
Did you say elsewhere you no longer use IE? Maybe make a choice among
the other two possibilities at that screen. The avast! docs says you
probably do not use a proxy. So, maybe try this one...
"Direct connection (no proxy). Select this option if you do not use any
proxy server to connect to the Internet. Dial-up users usually don't use
any proxy server."
> I know you are having Internet time
>> out problems in another thread, but they started a month ago before
>> you took this update. Anyhow... since you are DialUp like me, you
>> should be checked "I only connect to the Internet using a dial-up
>> modem" there. Also, click the Proxy button. Mine is bolted "Auto
>> detect (use Internet Explorer settings)". What happens when you
>> click the "Test connection" button? Also, do this...
>>
>> Optimization for dial-up connections
> -----
> ????? is that in the Avast area?? or are you relating to
> the next part of instructions
> -----
Right, the following is out of the avast! docs on how to optimize for
dial-up.
>> If you use dial-up connection only, there's another way to detect if
>> the computer is connected to the Internet or not. avast! can elicit
>> the connection status from the modem status - so it will NOT ping our
>> servers every 40 seconds. To set avast! this way, follow these steps:
>>
>> a. In Notepad, open the file AVAST4.INI
>> (C:\PROGRAM FILES\ALWIL SOFTWARE\AVAST4\DATA)
>> b. Find section [InetWD]. If this section doesn�t exist, create it.
>> c. Into this section insert this row:
>> UseRAS=1
>> d. Save the file and restart your computer.
> -------------
>
> Yes, it is there, and its:: UseRAS=0 and, under the same initWD is
> this:: AssumeAlwaysConnected=0
That should be UseRAS=1 for you for the reasons stated above! My full
section reads...
[InetWD]
UseRAS=1
AssumeAlwaysConnected=0
UpdatePeriod=240
> I dont want to change these right now because I dont want to reboot, I
> only just got back on the net after yet again being suspended. (have
> just posted again to Franc regarding this and attached the modem log
> of which shows my disconnect and some sort of error 24... if you'd
> like to look at it.
I will go look at it, but probably tomorrow. Zabcar will be best for
that.
> --------------------
>>
>> After that, check SpyBot's myriad settings to be sure nothing in
>> there is doing it. I may download & re-install SpyBot, myself, now
>> that avast! appears to be terminating.
> -----------------
>
> Do you know of any other anti-spyware programs that still include 98?
> Even Super-Ant gave me the flick a couple of months ago; and lets not
> even go into Adaware. I guess I am like you, only have SpyBot and
> Avast. Oops, thats a lie, I also have SpywareBlaster, but the updates
> only come about every 2-3weeks, and even then there arent many.
Probably tomorrow I'll take SpyBot again. I uninstalled it once,
thinking it was too intrusive. But with avast!'s pending defection, I
must commence a search &/or tighten my security measures.
> ---------------
> Zabcar knows everything in the world about
>> modems.
> ----------
>
> Yes, I found that out,, he is definately da-modem-man.
>
>
> Stick with him for that. The Registry keys he posted to you seem
>> to be what I've got too. I know you already are investigating the
>> URLs MEB posted & are searching for PA Bear's Antartic cave where he
>> has entered an early hibernation! Good luck!
> ----------
>
> I found a folder on my BookMarks in F/F called Forums, I have heaps
> and heaps stashed there,, so it was my bad in not using them.
>
> S/C
>
> ps, sorry I took so long to get back,, guess I have been fussing with
> the modem too much at the moment.
All right. I skip a day/two myself these days.