hi all. its my first visit to this site but already it looks rather good!!! anyway here is my problem . i am running macafee but it wont let me update its database it just keeps telling me "an error has occured when dowloading" it also tells me my computer is not fully protected but it wont let me "fix" the problem. the internet and e-mail side of it are running ok as is the scan. any help would be appreciated. thanks

Edit: Moved topic from XP to the more appropriate forum. ~ Animal

Hi and Welcome.
try reinstalling Macafee and then try updating it. see if that works and reply back.

Regards,
Extremeboy

will try that but will log off internet as god only knows what will happen with no security whatsoever

thanks

The Windows firewall...is always an option for any XP user...in lieu of 3d-party software providing that protection.

And...there are various free, reliable AV programs that can be installed/utilized on either a short-term or long-term basis.

Same for malware-defense programs.

No system ever has to be considered "unprotected" just because one piece of software has problems.

Louis

ok. i didnt uninstall mcafee, instead i inserted the mcafee installation cd as this will delete the version i already have installed with the one on the cd. sorry i forgot to mention the version i have installed is an updated version from mcafee web site( so the updates did work at one point in time). however when the cd asks me if i want to overwrite the"newer" existing file an "error installing mcafee " appears and then the installation stops. it has done this if i either say yes or no to the overwrite........

Files could be corrupted...why not try uninstalling it...then reinstalling it, as previously suggested? Nothing to lose .

Louis

Turn on the Windows firewall.
Next shut down McAfee, then go to add remove programs.
Uninstall McAfee products.
Reboot your computer.

After the computer boots back up, run the McAfee Consumer Products Removal tool.
Instructions and download link:

http://service.mcafee.com/FAQDocument.aspx...083&lc=1033

After another reboot, reinstall McAfee.

Or you can install different anti-virus and firewall programs.
A list of free programs can be found at
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic3616.html