Ad-Aware 2007 v7.0.2.7 ~ Unable Update // Scanning in Normal or Safe Mode?

Discussion in 'Software' started by frebnad, Mar 29, 2009.

  1. frebnad

    frebnad Private E-2

    Am a newbie, just joined today, an average PC user, and admit am rather overwhelmed by the vastness and complexity of the site. Have so far used MajorGeeks.com to download useful software, and have found the Popularity classification most useful in deciding which freeware to try out.

    Ad-Aware
    I never had any problem with the old SE version in any respect.
    But after update support was discontinued and I had upgraded the software, I was not able to update the definitions. Tried everything I cud with my limited knowledge, gave up, and de-installed the software. Have never had such a problem with any other software.
    Since Ad-Aware 2007 v7.0.2.7 is on top of the Popularity list under your Anti-Spyware Tools list, I decided to install it once again today. No change.
    I still got an error window when I tried a webupdate:

    An error occurred
    Update
    SSL download failed
    Suggested action
    Run Webupdate.

    What made things worse is that my PC inexplicably slowed down considerably! I immediately de-installed the software, rebooted the PC, and everything seems back to normal.
    I am not a Geek, just an average PC user, so far at least! And 20443688 downloaders of this software at MajorGeeks alone could not be wrong. What am I doing wrong? I know that there are mixed reports about problems with this software on various sites.
    I have a Dell Inspiron 6000 running Windows XP Pro, Symantec Endpoint Protection and ZoneAlarm Free. I also use Malwarebytes' AntiMalware, SuperAntiSpyware, MS Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool, McAfee Avert Stinger, all for periodic scans, and also Spyware Blaster, all downloaded thru MajorGeeks.com. All these software programs' updates take place flawlessly.

    Anti-Malware Scanning
    The consensus of opinion seems to be that malware scanning should best be done in Safe Mode with System Restore off. Is this true? I have also seen various sites stating that Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware (MBAM) should also be run in Safe Mode for best results. However, MBAM's Support have clearly declared to me directly that MBAM must always be run in normal mode, never in Safe Mode, the implication being that the software will never pick up any malware in Safe Mode!! ?? And I had spent hours scanning with MBAM in Safe Mode earlier! Even a Geek would be confused!! Evidently, the different engines in scanning software work differently. Doesn't it, therefore, stand to reason that all anti-malware scanning software should have scanning advice for users clearly mentioned in their Scan windows? ~
    SCAN IN SAFE MODE ONLY, or
    SCAN IN NORMAL MODE ONLY, or
    (SCAN IN SAFE MODE - RECOMMENDED)
    (CAN BE SCANNED IN NORMAL MODE ).
    That aside, would it be possible for the MajorGeeks website to perhaps consider giving some indication in this connection in the description page of all scanning software?

    Thanks in advance to all who respond. :confused:confused
     
    frebnad, Mar 29, 2009
    #1
  2. Kestrel13!

    Kestrel13! Super Malware Fighter - Major Dilemma Staff Member

    No, we prefer all the scans to be run in normal mode if possible and to resort to running in safe mode if the malware is preventing progress being made in normal mode.

    As for turning off system restore until your machine is clean, look at it this way: A "dirty" restore point is better than none at all. So we never toggle sys restore until the end of the fix and final steps.

    We clearly state in our Read and Run Me First the below:

    If you decide to follow the procedures for malware removal, ensure that you work your way thru the below completely:

    READ & RUN ME FIRST. Malware Removal Guide

    Then address any further questions you may have to whoever takes on your thread. Best of luck and welcome. :)

    As a final comment I would like to say that software such as MBAM or SAS are FAR more effective than Adaware.

    Kestrel
     
    Last edited: Mar 29, 2009
    Kestrel13!, Mar 29, 2009
    #2
  3. frebnad

    frebnad Private E-2

    Thank you, Kestrel !

    Can hardly comprehend how wrong I was to believe that anti-malware scanning should preferably be done in Safe Mode.

    Forgive me for my ungeekiness, but what is SAS? Can you give me the full name of the software?

    And if Adaware is not so effective as MBAM and SAS, why do you think it has reached the top of the Popularity list under Anti Spyware Tools?

    From now on, I will use the "Top Freeware Picks / Must Have Free Dowloads" for my guidance.

    Thanks again, and Cheers !
     
    Last edited: Mar 29, 2009
    frebnad, Mar 29, 2009
    #3
  4. Kestrel13!

    Kestrel13! Super Malware Fighter - Major Dilemma Staff Member

    I apologise, it's short for SUPERantispyware

    Maybe people who have no clue and think it's far more effective than what it actually is. Adaware tends to focus too much on the removal of cookies and not much else. I certainly don't use it on my machines, but that's just my preference...

    You're welcome! :)
     
    Kestrel13!, Mar 29, 2009
    #4
  5. frebnad

    frebnad Private E-2

    Hi there!

    Ad-Aware 2007
    Though the urgency of my query regarding Ad-Aware 2007 is now non-existent since I will not be using it, I still keep wondering why the software refused to update its definitions despite my downloading and installing it correctly. And all other software I have update flawlessly. I may have made an error somewhere, and would like to know so that I can have a resolution handy in case I experience the same problem with some future software. Does Kestrel13! or anyone else have an answer or an opinion?

    System Restore
    Silly and basic question to you I am sure, but what does toggling System Restore actually do? Does it maintain Restore Points created so far or does it delete earlier ones? How many System Restore Points are stored in memory by default? How many are recommended to be stored? Can one wipe out all System Restore Points except the last one? Are too many System Restore Points a load on the system?

    Thanks and cheers! :confused:confused
     
    Last edited: Apr 3, 2009
    frebnad, Apr 3, 2009
    #5
  6. DavidGP

    DavidGP MajorGeeks Forum Administrator - Grand Pooh-Bah Staff Member

    Hi

    With AdAware 2007 being old software at times the manual updates that are only available now (as auto update is ended) you need to likely be logged on as Admin of the PC, or as some have found, their is nothing wrong with your PC, and its just the software itself that doesnt wish to update.

    If you are downloading the manual definition update and then extract the file core.aawdef from the zip, then copy and paste it here C:\Program Files\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware 2007 then it should work, but not always it works for some, which is why while popular once its not now.


    System Restore.

    1. Toggling SR, wipes all the Restore Points off your PC, this is helpful in the event your PC has been infected with Malware as the SR Points will have malware saved in them, but only toggle once you have the all clear that you have no malware live on your system as in system restore they are dormant until you restore back to that point.

    2. System Restore uses around 12% in XP and 15% in Vista of the total of a hard drives space (unless you manually change that size) and yes it will delete older ones once its allocated space is taken up.

    3. As to how many SR points are created, that depends on how much size is allocated and howm much data you have on that PC, so numbers are different for most, but likely and rough guess is around 4-6, but you can check how many are on your PC in the System Restore menus (see link below)

    4. Yes you can wipe out all bar the last one, by opening My Computer, right click your Hard Drive and choose Properties > Disk Cleanup and then wait for the data to load and then click the More Options tab then under System Restore click Clean Up.




    More info on System Restore HERE
     
    DavidGP, Apr 4, 2009
    #6
  7. frebnad

    frebnad Private E-2

    Ad-Aware 2007 v7.0.2.7 ~ Unable Update // Scan in Normal or Safe Mode?// Sys Restore

    Hello Halo !

    Thank you very much for your reply and my regrets for my late response.

    Your reply regarding Ad-Aware was most helpful. In any case, I am not using Ad-Aware any longer.

    Your reply on System Restore was also excellent, exactly what I wished to know, short but comprehensive enough for a newbie like me.

    Thanks again. :) :wave
     
    frebnad, Apr 9, 2009
    #7

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