Updates reports failure to connect to upate server.
"The connection with the update server has failed"
AVG 8 free, XP, firewall on or off, spybot resident on or off.
Previously had AVG 7.5 free with no trouble to update automatically regularly.
Allowed 8 free to do the uninstall of 7.5
Have since uninstalled/ repaired a few times but still the update refuses to work
Update server shown as http://guru.avg.com/softw/80free/update/
Downloaded updates to disk then updated from there.
Problem persists

You didn't provide us all the information that we need to help you. Read http://forums.avg.com/ww.avg-free-forum?sec=thread&act=show&id=371, provide all of the information mentioned in that post so that we may help you properly. Thank you.

Sorry for omissions - now collected here I hope.
Windows XP fully updated
Using AVG 8 Free version 8.0.100
Database 269.23.7/1410
2 Mb Broadband connection via cable from virginmedia.com in UK
Windows XP firewall off.
Ashampoo firewall used normally but it makes no difference if switched off.
Spybot resident usually on but makes no difference if switched off
Previously had AVG 7.5 with no troubles at all
Allowed AVG 8 Free to uninstal 7.5

Only use one firewall... two can cause issues. Ashampoo is the better of the two you listed so that is what I'd suggest you use unless you don't like it for some reason. Also, when enabling/disabling a firewall always follow that with a reboot or in some cases your action will not be "active".

Also verify your firewall permissions as stated in this http://free.avg.com/ww.faq.num-1334.

The following will help with routing table issues...

1. Turn off the computer.
2. Turn off any router or hub that your computer may be plugged into.
3. Turn off the cable/dsl modem.
4. Wait for a couple of minutes.
5. Turn on the cable/dsl modem.
6. Wait for a couple of minutes.
7. Turn on any router or hub that your computer may be plugged into.
8. Wait for a couple of minutes.
9. Finally turn back on your computer.

To clarify about my use of firewalls, normally XPs firewall is off and Ashampoo on.
The update problem remains if I then turn off the Ashampo firewall without a restart.
The firewall warns me that I'm then not protected until I restart.

Took the actions suggested by rdsok.
Some of the executables in the firewall permissions list don't appear among those in the AVG 8 folder (avgam.exe, avgnsx.exe)

Firewall has no provision for 'safe' Internet addresses.

Situation is still the same with connection to server failed.

Other things to check or try...

Check that your Windows HOSTS file does not contain an entry for any AVG / Grisoft websites in it... if so remove it/them...


Many AVG update problems have been attributed to a corrupted Winsock/TCP-IP stack. While you may have what appears to be normal access to the internet and email, other functions may not be working properly. To fix these types of problems, download the util mentioned below.

WinSockFix from http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=257.

NOTE: Recent updates to some versions of Windows won't allow this util to backup the registry so ignore any errors you may get and perform the registry backup manually if needed.

The following are in hosts.bak having been added by Spybot Search & Destroy
I presumed them to be not official avg or grisoft and left them.
127.0.0.1 free-avg-download.com
127.0.0.1 www.free-avg-download.com
127.0.0.1 free-avg.org
127.0.0.1 www.free-avg.org
127.0.0.1 avg-secure.com
127.0.0.1 www.avg-secure.com
127.0.0.1 official-avg-download-now.com
127.0.0.1 www.official-avg-download-now.com
127.0.0.1 avg.grab-it-today.net
127.0.0.1 www.avg.grab-it-today.net
127.0.0.1 avg.softwarecenterz.com
127.0.0.1 www.avg.softwarecenterz.com

Downloaded and ran WinSockFix with no benefit.

Would it make sense to System Restore to before the first attempt at installing AVG 8 Free then un-install AVG 7.5 free before again downloading a fresh copy of AVG 8 free from AVG Technologies site and having another go?
Edited 1 times. Last edit at 05/03/08 01:44PM by BIG AL 43.

The FAQ 1334 in the General area, lists all of the valid urls that the update may use.

You can try using System Restore to see if that helps or not and since you can always undo that action... you can at least get back to "now" if it doesn't work.

I also have another method to get back to the AVG 7.5 and uninstall etc ... but its is a lenghty process but if the SR trick doesn't work.. I'll post that direction if its needed.

I have had similar experience having updated to AVG 8 today and also had Ashampoo Firewall latest version. I have uninstalled Ashampoo Firewall and reloaded. Other programmes trigger Ashampoo for authorisation of programmes however AVG8 does not trigger Ashampoo Firewall permission box.

I have uninstalled Ashampoo Firewall and switched MS Firewall on and AVG updates without any problem. Therefore believe there must be some conflict between AVG8 and Ashampoo Firewall.

O/S= OEM XP Home Edition + SP2 and updates as of 3May 08.

BINGO!!!
Uninstalled Ashampo firewall and up dates now work.
Thanks to rdsok and Anoqoq for patience and help