Hope someone out ther can help.... We have approximately 80 PC's that have McAfee 4.0.3. on them. Weekly I download the virus definitions and EMAIL them to all my users as an attachment (it is an executable update). Works pretty well.. We have been testing the auto update feature which goes out and unzips a file and installs it on the users PC. Problem... Is that it shuts down McAfee and will not restart it. If you try to restart it manually, it says the file definitions are corrupt and to reload the product. If youthen rebbot the PC, it will tell you your definitions are missing (press any key). You do and then all is well. Amyone had this problem and is there a fix...

I have the problem with updating dat files - keep getting screen that says I need to update even right after I have. Go to site and it shows I have same version as update. Can't figure this out. Contacting McAfee only gets autoresponders.

Thought I only had that problem. Forget the Auto Update, it either won't work or is too busy to let you get on. Go here instead, ftp://ftp.mcafee.com/pub/antivirus/datfiles/ which is the ftp site, click on either 3x or 4x depending on your version, then click on the update.zip file you want, should have the date on it there. Then download to your pc, unzip it to the McAfee folder that has the .dat files (Program Files/Network Associates/McAfee Viruscan) and reboot. TopGun, I'd do it like you have been, the auto update does just what you mentioned, which could be from being networked.

Bruce, I did get dat files from the site you listed, unzipped to McAfee folder, restarted, but still get screen that says I need to update dat files. If I go to McAfee page for update, now it reads I have newer version than what they list. It's just annoying to keep getting that screen every time I restart. I have already gone thru the delete and re-install process a few times. My original is from Nuts and Bolts CD, so it is registered. Thank you for the info. I will try it again in a few days. This site has been a great help for other problems. I really appreciate your time and effort.

Laura, did you make sure you got the correct .dat files for your version? I use McAfee 3x or v3.1.9, an OEM or registered one. I had much trouble with their 4x version. I installed McAfee that was included in the Win98 Plus. But it demanded to be upgraded and the auto update didn't work, then it timed out so I trashed it and put my old version in I bought long ago, v3.0 I upgraded to v3.1.9 and put in the new .dat files and all was fine. For a month. Once a month it'll come up as I get into windows, just like when it does an auto update or when the .dat files are old. I have to uninstall McAfee, then reinstall it and after rebooting, put the latest .dat files in it. Then it's fine for another month. That way seems to work best and outside of having to remove and reinstall it once a month, I haven't had any problems with it. I keep copies of the upgrades and updates on hand so it's just a matter of 5 minutes and it's up and running again. You might want to try it that way. Also, when reinstalling, choose Custom and don't select the VS Console which might be part the problem. I think the console acts like Microsoft's Task Manager and automates things that you don't need or use. It might be a problem because your's came from Nuts & Bolts and isn't a real full version, like the one that's in the Plus for Win89. Try getting the latest version at the ftp site and not using the one from nuts&bolts and see if it helps. Remember to put the new .dat files in also. Good luck

Bruce, I chkd N&B CD, started with V4.0. Did use 4x updates. I will delete (again) and try custom set up, as you suggest. Don't understand keeping previous update files tho - thought reason to have most current was to keep up with new viruses. Thanks much for your help.

I am having this same trouble with corrupted McAfee data files after the autoupdate runs and gets local file definitions from a zipped definitions file. Could this have something to do with way the definitions file is zipped (the program used to zip it)? I really need to get this issue resolved, as our number of supported Windows computers at school is spiraling upward and it is just too much of a pain to manually update both the virus defs and the scan engine on all machines every week or so.