Ramblings, ideas, problems, and solutions

Resolving “Database is outdated” messages in AVG when there is no available updates

I’ve been a happy user of AVG Free for a long time. Granted, it’s never been exactly easy to get, but a google-search does the trick. Having run version 7.whatever for some time, I got a message that they’d soon stop supporting it, and that I should upgrade to version 8. All fine and well, I did so, and after another google-search found the free version, which I downloaded and installed.
 
Now, I don’t mind paying for quality products, but frankly, there are so many good, free anti-virus solutions out there, that I really don’t see the need to pay for one (and the ones you pay for are in my experience usually inferior as well…).
 
So, back to my story. I had “upgraded” to AVG Free 8, and updated the databases when, in the corner of my eye, I saw the following message:
 
Your computer may be at risk etc.
 
Naturally, I updated the signature files, but my system tray still looked like this:
 
Updated, still annoying
 
I browsed around the web, and found that I wasn’t the only one experiencing this problem. Browsing around some more, I found a FAQ hosted with Grisoft, telling me that:

Database is outdated, but no new updates are available
 
The “Database is outdated” message is displayed, when the database is older than one week. This is in most cases caused by incorrect time or date settings of the computer. To check the time and date, please proceed as follows:

    Windows XP or 2000

  • either double-click on the time display in the lower-right corner of the screen
  • or open Start – Settings – Control Panel – Date and time
  • make sure the date and time are set correctly

 

    Windows Vista

  • either click on the time display in the lower-right corner of the screen and select “Change date and time settings”
  • or open Start – Control Panel – Clock, Language, and Region – Set the time and date – Change date and time
  • make sure the date and time are set correctly

I followed the instructions, and after a few restarts, the problem was gone. Paradoxically enough, a different computer, on which I also run AVG Free was upgraded a week or so after this first one. The problem occured there as well. In fact, every computer I have seen running AVG Free 8 seems to have the problem. It seems AVG is mucking about with the time and date settings, which is disappointing to say the least.

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Aleksander Nordgarden-Rødner

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Comments

15 responses to “Resolving “Database is outdated” messages in AVG when there is no available updates”

  1. Aleksander R. Rødner

    Alan: Well, I can’t be sure, but so it seems. The only change I made to the machine having problems was install AVG.

    Reply
  2. Alan R

    Thanks, but why my date time was wrong? Installing AVG 8 produced it?

    Reply
  3. Anonymous

    Hoho, I’ve been having the same problem aswell. And, yes my xp calendar had the next month on display. I doubt it was AVG in my case which set my date wrong, because I often forget to put the right month back when I check dates of other months on my calendar, and just press OK.

    Reply
  4. tommygator

    AVG endless restart request and "database is out of date error helper"

    my solution!! Force the upgrade!!

    go to your Grisoft AVG folder.
    Find the file
    Updatecomps.cfg.prepare

    also find
    Updatecomps.cfg

    Delete file
    Updatecomps.cfg

    Rename the file
    Updatecomps.cfg.prepare -> Updatecomps.cfg

    Restart

    Upon restart open AVG

    once you have your internet connection established click the update link

    Select and perform the update

    this time once it is done, follow the instructions and
    Restart now

    once you have restarted the second time AVG should not bo in error at the main status window.

    Ciao

    Tom

    Reply
  5. Aleksander R. Rødner

    Tommygator: While that might remove the symptoms, it doesn’t fix the problem. I’d be extremely cautious in replacing any files connected to the AV system that secures my computer.

    Reply
  6. friendlyfire

    Thank you for posting this Grisoft AVG repair.I’ve been using avgfree for 6 or 7 years.
    In addition to the definition update errors,I had a problem where most of my task manager icons were not visible,even though the programs were running.I had no Updatecomps.cfg.prepare in the avg folder,but I deleted the Updatecomps.cfg, and avg8 updated happily,shows no errors,and now my tasbar buttons are back.

    Reply
  7. Anonymous

    I had the same thing happening with my computer as Aleksander R. Rødner was describing. I followed his directions about ensuring the date and time was correct, restarted once and the problem was resolved….Thanks!!

    Reply
  8. Anonymous

    I just had the same thing happen, and the only thing that has changed is that I updated the flash player. Was using it for something, can’t remember, and a balloon popped up. This was a few days ago, and AVG has not ran right since. Just noticed a minute ago that the date was a month ahead. Changed it and now I have another update going. Running a full scan now too, just to see what may have gotten on it.

    Reply
  9. Anonymous

    I get two error messages with AVG Free 8.0:

    “Anti-virus data base is outdated”

    “Anti-spyware data base is outdated”

    The calendar in Vista is correct.

    I have tried downloading and reinstalling AVG numerous times. Still the same errors.

    Also, I have tried uninstalling, but have been unable to do so completely. I get a error message toward the end of the uninstall.

    AVG, I think, was working fine before 8.0 came along.

    Any suggestions. I am baffled.

    Reply
  10. Aleksander R. Rødner

    I’d check time zone settings, to see if that’s causing it.

    Otherwise, I’d uninstall AVG, and replace it with something else, like Avast or Nod32

    Reply
  11. Anonymous

    This worked for me:

    In Tools > Advanced Settings

    Restore to last version of virus databse.

    And then try updating

    Reply
  12. Anonymous

    My solution:
    Open AVG window. Click tools menu, then advanced settings. Find update section then Open manage. –> delete temporary updating file. Once this is done you should have no error in updating.

    Try it.

    Z

    Reply
  13. Anonymous

    My solution:
    Remove AVG8.
    Fresh install AVG8.
    Look in AVG8 folder, find any files dated before today; delete them.
    (avi7.avg, incavi.avm were the files I deleted)

    Then the update utility worked.

    Reply
  14. joe zink

    “delete temporary update files” is the trick. thanks for the website.

    Reply
  15. Ed

    Here is the fix:
    open AVG and go to the “Tools” menu and choose “Advanced Settings”.
    On the left hand side, double click on “Update” top open it. Click on “Manage” and choose the option to “Delete temporary update files”. Click “OK” and run the update again.
    Restart your system and you should be fine..

    Reply

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