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thesnacker
Former Member
Message 1 of 5

"Fix for Failed Update" failed. Now what?

First of all, I am running Win XP sp3

Despite McAfee, I downloaded a trojan a few days ago. After several scans, it seemed like the trojan was gone, but then McAfee started giving me the failed update error. I wasn't too worried at first, since that error popped up from time to time, and it had always just disappeared on it's own before, but this time it stayed. It became clear that I would have to do something to fix it, and that is when things started to get weird.

My first try was to reinstall McAfee, as the error advised. I logged into my account, clicked download, clicked agree, clicked download, and IE8 told me that it could not display the webpage... inside the inner frame. The rest of the webpage was loaded fine, but just that one part would not load. This is when I first tried support. Nothing in the FAQs obviously. The auto checker could not load either. I tried the chat client and my computer froze trying to load it. Cursed, shut down, restart, cursed some more, and then came to the forums. I found the "Fix for Failed Update" and tried it, but I use a wireless keyboard and mouse so I couldn't get into safe mode. After some rage grunts I decided to just wait and ignore it.

Time passed, and ignoring it became more annoying then trying to fix it, so my first try was to download the installer from another computer onto an SD card and then bring it to my computer and use it there. The installer got as far and trying to download files, then it failed. Being able to guess the most likely cause, and knowing the most likely outcome of attempting the "Fix for Failed Update," I decided to try it anyway. I hooked up a wired keyboard and mouse, and deleted the contents of the Bin folder. As you might have guessed, the update continues to fail and now McAfee is in even worse shape.

My guess is that the virus somehow blocked connections to parts of McAfee.com, but not all as is evidenced by this post. Any idea how to get this block removed, or if it isn't a block, how to get things fixed?
4 Replies
Peacekeeper
Message 2 of 5

RE: "Fix for Failed Update" failed. Now what?

First this sounds as if your hosts file has had mcafee.com or similiar added to it that would preclude connections to it.

have a look at the hosts file it is in c:\windows\system32\drivers\etc


If it has any additions other than 127.0.0.1 ie to mcafee sites try this

 

Restoring a basic HOSTS file (Windows XP-Vista)
Link-> hosts.exe by secured2k



Also scan your Pc with both of the following

 

Malwarebytes Installer Download Link (Clicking on the links below will immediately start the download dialogue window.)
http://www.besttechie.net/tools/mbam-setup.exe

Malwarebytes Manual Updater link
http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam/dat...mbam-rules.exe

Next, download the SuperAntispyware program and the manual updater from the links below. After running the Malwarebytes tool above, if you still can't download and install it directly from the problem machine, download it on a friend or family member's computer as well. After installing and updating SuperAntispyware, run another full system scan and delete everything it finds as well. As before, you may need to rename the installer file to get the program to install.:

SuperAntispyware
http://www.superantispyware.com/

SuperAntispyware Manual Updater
http://www.superantispyware.com/definitions.html

thesnacker
Former Member
Message 3 of 5

RE: "Fix for Failed Update" failed. Now what?

My host file did have a slight change, but it was something that I was aware of, but still, I changed it back. I tried downloading and using the programs, but my Internet Explorer could not display any of them on my computer. I downloaded them on another, other than the manual updater for the first one as the link you gave doesn't work. I installed the first one, but it does not run, and the second will not install.

More help please.
thesnacker
Former Member
Message 4 of 5

RE: "Fix for Failed Update" failed. Now what?

While I'm here, I might as well ask you guys about this too: I keep getting this strange pop-up like thing that insists that it is from Microsoft. I've been clicking don't allow so far, since I'm unsure if it is another trojan trying to get in. Is this something I can actually trust?

http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/7049/oddcopy.jpg
Peacekeeper
Message 5 of 5

RE: "Fix for Failed Update" failed. Now what?

Ok 2nd link doa atm but the 1st should have installed it.

Try resetting your Internet explorer. After you have done so reactivate the addons ie Site advisor

I found this re the popup and Malwarebytes not running you need to rename the mbam.exe file to say Chris.exe (read the thread)

http://forums.cnet.com/5208-6132_102-0.html?threadID=352273

The links I see for the popup recommend you download hijack this and post on 1 of the forums that analyse the resultant logs.
TrendMicro™ HijackThis™
For stubborn infections that nothing seems to budge try using an application called "Hijackthis" and posting its log on one of the forums below. They will check it and help you get rid of whatever ails your machine.

DOWNLOAD HIJACKTHIS

Do not post the log here, we can't help!

Post the logs at a specialist Forum:

AUMHA FORUM

BLEEPING COMPUTER FORUM

GEEKS TO GO FORUM

MAJOR GEEKS FORUM

MALWAREBYTES FORUM

MALWARE REMOVAL FORUM

SPYWAREHAMMER FORUM

SPYWARE INFO FORUM

WHAT THE TECH FORUM


Be sure to read all the sticky announcements/instructions at the top of each malware forum!
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