OMG...

I REALLY want to vent! However... I am going to choose asking for HELP!

My problem started with getting pissed off at Symantec because their customer service has become substandard! I almost think they buried a bug on my computer to forbid me from using any other antivirus just to piss me off further! I did not renew my subscription and deleted the program. Since then, my "computer" life has been pure hell! So... let me try to get an abridged version out. I purchased a new antivirus prog and upon installation, I could not update. Could not connect to the server. I tried going thru CS countless times and got no help so I canceled the order. I deleted everything from that software and tried AVG 8.0 Free. The same problem. I cannot update the definitions due to not being able to connect to the server. I verified the Norton removal by using NRT (just incase). I am not connecting using a proxy. I WAS using XP firewall (which is worthless) and have installed ZoneAlarm. I have permitted rules allowing AVG internet access and nothing. I have been on AVG FAQs countless times with NO help. I am not alone in this prob using AVG either. I uninstalled 8.0 and tried 7.5 (because of others having fewer probs w/ that version) and still have same problem. I have restarted my computer so many times, I think it may do it on it's own soon!! I even tried utilizing the repair option in my internet connection folder for Local Area Connection and that says it cannot "finish repairing the problem because it could not clear the ARP Cache". What's that all about? I am battling the "Hardware -vs- Software" war and I am losing!! My ISP says it's software... etc,etc. Anyone... SOMEONE. Please help!

Win XP SP2
IE 7
AVG 7.5 Antivirus
ZoneAlarm Firewall 7.0
Win XP firewall is disabled
Broadband Internet connection

Let me know if you need more information. I'm going to sit here, head in hands... groaning!
P.S - Get this.... I normally use Firefox 2.0 and that hasn't connected since this started. I tried it on a whim and It JUST connected. Any ideas about that little tidbit??

Maureen

so ; I guess you are, at present , running unprotected?

who Is your ISP ?

you used the Norton removal tool to get rid OF norton.

what was the NEXT av program you attempted and how did you remove IT?

The zone alarm; are you sure you do NOT have the antivirus part of it too?
WILL your computer allow you to open THIS site and do an on line scan for nasties?
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/uk/

and; have you yet had a look IN system restore to see if you have a good roll back date if you need it ?

Ruby....

THANK you for replying!!! To clarify... I was not running unprotected so to speak. I just didn't have the RECENT definitions! (Kinda unprotected). ISP is Time Warner (Roadrunner), I used the norton removal tool (NRT), I do not have the antivirus portion of ZoneAlarm installed and I did do a computer scan. But get THIS... after I posted, I needed to edit the post because I forgot some info. I was looking for the Firefox version of what I was using and that is how I noticed it was running. (First time since this started!!!!!) So... I checked the Update and the damn thing ran!!!!!!! What the heck is going on here? I want to name my computer Sybil! This was about 30-45 mins AFTER the restart of using NRT!! I have no idea... I wouldn't even mind insight concerning this because this is bizarre!

I think I am cured. I'll let you know if I am not!

Thanks again!
Maureen

open your control panel/internet options/programs/I have ticked Internet explorer as MY default browser
BUT the browser should NOT make a difference to getting you av updates as you grab them via your avg icon.in your system tray ..don.t you??????? at least I do

well... for starters, I don't want IE as my default browser. I much prefer Firefox. However, I did try to update via the icon in the system tray and also via the website... to no avail. But as I said, it miraculously updated out of no where. No idea who, what when or why!!

Maureen