Tech: AVG 7.5 download problems

Subject: Tech: AVG 7.5 download problems
From: Bee
Date: 21 Feb 07 - 10:55 AM

Is anyone else with an older OS (Win98SE here) having problems downloading this anti-virus software? I've used it successfully for years, but it now needs replacing with the new version. It insists on downloading from Netscape, which I haven't used for a couple of years (I use IE), it crashes the browser within 20 minutes, and I've found no advice on the AVG site beyond trying a different download site, which also didn't work.

Any advice? I'd love to solve this without calling my BIL again!

Subject: RE: Tech: AVG 7.5 download problems
From: bobad
Date: 21 Feb 07 - 11:03 AM

I believe that AVG is no longer offered for free, I switched to Avast which seems to work OK, and is free.

Subject: RE: Tech: AVG 7.5 download problems
From: Bee
Date: 21 Feb 07 - 12:38 PM

Solved my problem. Bobad, yes, there is still a free edition of AVG, they will no longer service the original, but you can download a repair to upgrade to 7.5.

I had to go to the AVG site from IE, not from their desktop icon. I went to the FAQ and directly from there to the download. Took 1 hour 37 min. on dialup.

Subject: RE: Tech: AVG 7.5 download problems
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 21 Feb 07 - 12:48 PM

Several of the free AV, Adware, etc programs have had problems with downloads from the main sites simply due to traffic and server overload, and have set up numerous "mirror" sites that people can download from. Spybot S&D is one that I'm often unable to get good downloads of the signature updates from if I use the "default" site that's built into the program. I usually have little trouble if I use the nearest mirror site.

Using a mirror site that's listed at the home site is generally considered a good idea, as a search for some of this free stuff can turn up people offering "not quite original" copies with extravagent claims that you really need their version (which often doesn't block their personal junk as would be expected - and/or contains some "free extras" you may not want).

John

Subject: RE: Tech: AVG 7.5 download problems
From: Bee
Date: 21 Feb 07 - 12:58 PM

Good advice, John. I think it was a rickety old Netscape version messing me up, plus having dialup crash a few times. Augghh!

Subject: RE: Tech: AVG 7.5 download problems
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 21 Feb 07 - 01:11 PM

Bee -

In my area, the dialup (phone company) appears to be quite deliberately slowing dialup service to "encourage" everyone to get a high speed connection. They're the available providers here.

My "average" transfer rate has dropped from a typical 8-10 kb/sec a year ago to near 2 kb/sec a lot of the time recently, with about 5 for a maximum late at night. I get automatic reconnects about every 2 hours, and occasionally have to disconnect and redial manually when the computer doesn't detect the drop; but that may be the ISP rather than the phone conspirators.

John

Subject: RE: Tech: AVG 7.5 download problems
From: Dave Wynn
Date: 21 Feb 07 - 05:52 PM

As an ex (retired) computer professional I have used just about all the mainstream virus guards but still find AVG the best yet. 7.5 is good. Updates regularly, never had a system hang. Even though I have a license for Norton I prefer AVG.

If they were to pull the free single home user version I would certainly buy the pro version. Just my few penn'orth.

Dave Wynn (A.K.A. Spot the Dog)

Subject: RE: Tech: AVG 7.5 download problems
From: bobad
Date: 21 Feb 07 - 06:00 PM

I had been using AVG and liked it a lot also but I received a notice saying that as of the 15th. of January 2007 it was to be no longer offered for free so I switched to Avast.

Does anyone know what gives in this regard? Did they change their mind? Did you not receive that notice as well?

Subject: RE: Tech: AVG 7.5 download problems
From: Bill D
Date: 21 Feb 07 - 06:19 PM

It IS still free. They just did not word that notice well....The noticed tried to say the old FREE one was being replaced, and it would be necessary to have the new one to receive updates properly.

This question has been asked 27 times on the freeware newsgroup...I sure wish AVG would clear up their awkward notice.

(I have the new one...it works fine.)

Subject: RE: Tech: AVG 7.5 download problems
From: bobad
Date: 21 Feb 07 - 06:41 PM

Thanks Bill, I will go back to AVG as I find Avast a little clunky even though it did find some problems that AVG didn't, but I guess that's not uncommon.

Subject: RE: Tech: AVG 7.5 download problems
From: Bee
Date: 21 Feb 07 - 07:05 PM

John in Kansas, there is only dialup out this far in the sticks, but your experience sounds about like mine. Here the frequent crashes are blamed on old phone lines, likely true, since the drier and calmer the day, the better the service is. Wet and windy is worst. I also get those hang-ups that the computer doesn't notice, but I thought that was my antique computer. I usually have to reboot after one of those. My landline (not a portable) also picks up strange voices, crackles, and whines in bad weather.

Bobad, I got AVG7.5 today and it is free, honest. ;-)

Subject: RE: Tech: AVG 7.5 download problems
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 21 Feb 07 - 09:38 PM

I did the AVG 7-5 dance a while ago - it is free.

Like JiK, I too have done the Spybot S&D update dance too...

My dialup is currently running at 52000 (a Wommera modem with an lcd screen!) - I can get up to 53333, sometimes drop to 48000. This modem fully speed autoranges, and has auto line quality detect.

I have my 98SE 'System Monitor' set to show 'CRC errors' 'Incomplete Frames' 'Overrun Errors'.

Subject: RE: Tech: AVG 7.5 download problems
From: bobad
Date: 21 Feb 07 - 09:50 PM

I did the the Spybot S&D dance today, and it was a good thing too, as it found 42 new baddies.

Subject: RE: Tech: AVG 7.5 download problems
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 21 Feb 07 - 10:01 PM

That should have been 'Woomera' - a Maestro modem intended and designed to cope with 'bad' outback Aussie lines - I may be in the city - but sometimes it is interesting to watch the line speed jump up and down all over the place on this thing... and largely independent of the weather - all the lines here are underground.

Interestingly, I'm back on telstra - copper pair - when I was on Optus, their phone was a 'cable' - so digitally run - I never got much above 40000 with them - one reason I changed back when offered a 'sweet deal' - other was that their cable modem was always playing up and they refused all attempts to accept anything wrong - until it died completely.

I also know all the tricks about 'other phones on the line' etc too...


The price of ASDL is just becoming reasonable for me now.

Allegedly over 80% of households 'have access to broadband' says the Govt - but they won't say just what percentage actually HAVE it...

Subject: RE: Tech: AVG 7.5 download problems
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 22 Feb 07 - 12:30 AM

I've been looking at a higher speed connection for some time now, and would really like to have something better.

I just can't bring myself to deal with criminals.

1. All published information of rates, fees, and charges, is about "special introductory rates for new subscribers" and they REFUSE to tell me what current subscribers are paying, or what my rates will be when the "introductory period" ends, or how long the "introductory rate" is assured.

2. A contract is required, but they REFUSE to show me a copy of the contract until AFTER I'm connected.

3. Additional equipment is required, but they REFUSE to specify what equipment is acceptable, whether I'm required to use (some or all of) their components, or what payments for required stuff might be.

4. For at least some of the options available, service is confirmably "locally patchy" by individual neighborhoods, and they REFUSE to tell me prior to their installation whether I actually can expect to receive any specific level of performance in my own neighborhood, or even whether they have made connections to nearby users.

5. The "most likely acceptable" service, based on my investigations, requires me to use Yahoo as my ISP, but this provider REFUSES to tell me which of the several Yahoo "plans" is included with the service.

So I'm overly suspicious?

John

Subject: RE: Tech: AVG 7.5 download problems
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 22 Feb 07 - 04:40 AM

That sort of Game is illegal in Australia - we have far too many differing and overlapping layers of protections against just that sort of thing.

Cheer up, you live "The Land of the Free"!!!

:-)

Subject: RE: Tech: AVG 7.5 download problems
From: Bill D
Date: 22 Feb 07 - 10:47 AM

Good grief, John! That is ridiculous. I know that it is a big game..(and rates here are creeping up)... but at least they told me what the prices and rules were. (I do rent a cable modem, but I 'could' go buy my own.) I get internet & cable TV bundled, and they are trying to get me to add phone service to the bundle...but we just don't need long distance enough to justify it.

I get fast service, reliable connections and long retention in newsgroups...all from Comcast....and Verizon is now offering fiber-optic "to the house" service to compete. The only thing keeping me from switching is newsgroups retention.

Subject: RE: Tech: AVG 7.5 download problems
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 22 Feb 07 - 06:27 PM

Bill D -

Another point:

I get internet & cable TV bundled

I don't have cable TV, and the cable internet service that's offered appears to assume I do and appears to quote a rate increment for internet connection that's in addition to the basic cable TV hookup. BUT, despite my direct question they REFUSE to answer: "Am I required to subscribe to cable TV service in order to get this internet connection?"

The only answer I get to any and all questions is:

"The installer will explain it all when he puts in what you need."

I think it's called "advertising." The agents one can contact are allowed only to read the same ad to you that was in the newspaper. They are not permitted to show any evidence of knowing anything that doesn't appear in the ad (and apparently don't know anything else anyway.)

I've been trying to get real information for about 3 years now, on a casual basis for most of the time but with a couple of "concentrated efforts" to track down someone who would/could answer at least the trivial questions. I've been completely unsuccessful.

John

Subject: RE: Tech: AVG 7.5 download problems
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 22 Feb 07 - 07:02 PM

The price of 'freedom from Govt Supervision of your life'....

:-)
(who lives in a country where the State has legislated to make such 'commercial' behaviour Criminal)

Subject: RE: Tech: AVG 7.5 download problems
From: Bill D
Date: 22 Feb 07 - 07:37 PM

"The installer will explain it all when he puts in what you need."

You vill not qvetchtion der details! Ve know vhat's best for you! All vill be clear vhen der bill arrives!

Who IS this company?

Subject: RE: Tech: AVG 7.5 download problems
From: Bill D
Date: 22 Feb 07 - 07:41 PM

I see this one

http://www.nationwide.net/broadband_wireless_coverage.php

Subject: RE: Tech: AVG 7.5 download problems
From: Bill D
Date: 22 Feb 07 - 07:44 PM

Hmmm...I see 4 choices
http://www.broadbandinfo.com/want-high-speed/find-a-broadband-provider/kansas/wichita-broadband-providers.html

One of them...Cox...has a good reputation in this area. (VA. side of the river.)

(yes, I know you probably have checked out everything)