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General discussion

AVG Update Failed - 'General Error'

Mar 2, 2011 12:42AM PST

I'm trying to update my AVG but it keeps failing and displaying 'General Error'. What should I do?

I'm running AVG 10.0.1204, Virus DB version: 1435/3463 on Windows Vista SP2. If you need any more info then let me know.

Discussion is locked

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RE: GMER results & screen shots for Zbynek_AVG - 6/9/11
Jun 9, 2011 3:45AM PDT

Hello DanH_44,

Since GMER is not creating outputs properly, please provide us with Autoruns tool output (as compressed .arn file).

Thank you

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AutoRuns output ...
Jun 9, 2011 6:53AM PDT
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Re: AutoRuns output...
Jun 9, 2011 4:08PM PDT

Hello DanH_44,

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Successful installation has finally been achieved!
Jun 10, 2011 8:23AM PDT

Hello Ondrei,

FYI:
1. This might have been resolved sooner. The following information was insufficient:
"by Dusan_AVG - 6/7/11 9:22 AM

Installation again fails on accessing:C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\AVG 2011

... check access permissions of folder and its subfolders:C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\
Permissions need to be Full control for Administrators and SYSTEM."

... the problem apparently was at the "Start Menu" folder. I re-uploaded the screenshots showing full permissions for SYSTEM and Administrators for the Programs folder, as of 6/9/2011, 8:41 AM.

2. So here's what I did, responding to your instructions:
a. Looked at permissions for the Start Menu folder (screen shot uploaded for your curiosity).
b. 3 identities had full permissions for that folder, none were SYSTEM or Admins
c. In particular, one identity (ending in 100Cool could not be found in the registry. I deleted that.
d. The other "unknown" (ending in 1000) was from the other OS of my dual boot, np; not removed.
e. This was so messed up that I replicated the permissions from my other OS for the entire \ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows folder and all subfolders.
f. Used the avg_remover tool to get rid of my last failed installation
g. Ran the 2011_1382a3666 installer, this time with success.

Many thanks to you and everyone else that hung in there with me on this,
Dan

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AVG Update Failed-"General Error"
May 26, 2011 7:05AM PDT

I am trying to update my free AVG also and getting the same error. I am on FREE AVG 2011 V 10.0.1204 VDB:1435/3661 on WIndows Vista Home Premium SP2. <span id="INSERTION_MARKER">

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Re: AVG Update Failed-"General Error"
May 26, 2011 6:12PM PDT

Hello ixm1006,

analysis of provided information showed already known issue in older AVG program version, when one needed registry key has been corrupted.

Please follow this my post to fix the situation. Or it is enough to reinstall AVG with latest installation file.

What is the current situation?

Thank you

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Thanks Ondrej_AVG!
May 27, 2011 11:12AM PDT

Thank you! I am now up to date and everything updated fine. I downloaded the general fix .zip and extracted it and ran it and worked like a charm!

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Update failed: General error
Jun 10, 2011 8:32AM PDT
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RE: Update failed: General error
Jun 13, 2011 12:56AM PDT

Hello trevorjblythe,

analysis of the provided update log files revealed that the currently installed AVG version is 10.0.1204 and the error is caused by already known and fixed issue. Please perform AVG repair installation or follow this AVG Free Forum post to rectify this issue.

Thank you.

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Got it!
Jun 14, 2011 2:20PM PDT

The repair installation fixed it. Thanks! Happy

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Now I get it!
Apr 14, 2014 10:07PM PDT

I ignored "General Error" for a while and then I remembered that it was fairly important to update the virus definitions. I found the advice was to uninstal (fully) and reinstal AVG. I did this and did the first update alright. Then after there was a new update available, it started "General Error" again. You can read endless reams of technical advice about what some pseudo expert thinks you need to do, and its always something really complicated. But it is all just guessing, and nothing works. Just go ahead, uninstal and instal the latest version. Then I realised what AVG are up to. I have the free AVG and to get the update you need to uninstal and reinstall, because its the free version. Get it? Its free, but not for any further updates. Once there is an update available, you'll get "General Error".