"An error occured in avast! engine: Invalid argument"

This annoying message popped up after I ran the update in avast! in Ubuntu yesterday. avast! crashes every time I attempt to launch it after that. Did some googling and someone suggested deleting a file called "400.vps" in the ".avast" folder. I did just that and avast! was able to launch again. However, the same error occurs immediately after the virus definition update is performed. There is an error with the signature file. Hmmmmmm. What happened to quality control nowadays?

Update: I resolved the update issue. Run the following command.

commandrine@bridge:/$ sudo sysctl -w kernel.shmmax=128000000
kernel.shmmax = 128000000
commandrine@bridge:/$

I combined this command and the avast! update command together in this script to simplify matters. You no longer need to launch the avast! GUI to start the update. Download it here.

Comments

  1. Super ! Cela permet effectivement de résoudre le problème.

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  2. Thanks a lot friend. it is working ...

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  3. Thanks Buddy, its worked wow

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  4. SUPER!!! Updated & Scanning :D Thanks!!!

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  5. I am unable to delete file 400.vps in folder as it is saying permission denied. command not working with ubuntu,

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  6. It says permission denied because you did not use "sudo" command.

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  7. thanks but I am a duh with linux / ubuntu. can u pse tell me the exact command to type in the terminal to delete 400.vps which is located in the foll path on my pc: filesystem/usr/lib/avast4workstation/var. Also pse give me the next command also to activate 'update'.

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  8. unable to delete as I am a duh with linux / ubuntu & do not know how to compose cmd. pse help. the file 400.vps is the following location

    Filesystem/usr/lib/avast4workstation/var.

    also subsequent cmd not clear. commandrine@bridge:/$ sudo sysctl -w kernel.shmmax=128000000
    kernel.shmmax = 128000000
    commandrine@bridge:/$

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  9. Simply put... your user ID does not have "root" privileges. This is the design of Ubuntu. Before you can run commands that require "root" privileges, you need to use "sudo" command together with that specific command. You can refer to my post about secure deletion.
    http://securityrepublic.blogspot.com/2009/06/folder-secure-deletion.html
    Instead of manually keying in the "update" command, download my script and use it. My advise is to google for articles about Ubuntu basics.

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  10. Alternatively, you can add the kernel.shmmax = 128000000 value to your /etc/sysctl.conf file and have the value automagically adjusted during boot. Just a thought...

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  11. Ran command. It didn't work. file not found.

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  12. Which file? Did you download the script and make it executable?

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  13. wonderful thanks a lot

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  14. commandrine, Thank you!!!!!

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  15. Under which dir do I put the above script?
    I am a different Anonymous user.

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  16. You can place the script anywhere because the commands contained within can be executed anywhere in the system. I personally placed the script in my home folder.

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  17. It has come to my attention that this script was temporarily unavailable because availibility is dependent on Skydrive. I received a comment from a reader containing vulgarities which was uncalled for. Please refrain from using such unsavory language.

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  18. hi,

    thx for sharing this.nice.

    please elaborate what does that other script (with the name 'ubuntuprivacy.sh') at the same page (where this avast.sh was there) is for??

    One other doubt is that we can place script(s) anywhere in the unbuntu and make it run?? As I placed the avast.sh script in the same folder in which 400.vps was there, however removed 400.vps).

    Thanks.

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  19. After doing it with what you said, the avast icon is no more there in Applications -> Accessories, what to do and how to run it??

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  20. Hi. Please note that the script is open in which you can inspect the contents of the script. As documented above, the script does 2 things: prepare your Kernel to accept the Avast! update and download the latest signatures. It does not do anything else.
    As for your question on "ubuntuprivacy.sh", please read my detailed post on what it does. You can also open the script and read the comments within to understand what the script does.
    Thanks.

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  21. Hello, the problem is the same still. It is as follows:

    "After doing it with what you said, the avast icon is no more there in Applications -> Accessories, what to do and how to run it??"

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  22. I think you accidentally removed Avast! yourself. It has nothing to do with the script. I use it daily and other readers have used it without issue. Install Avast! again.

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  23. Worked great! Thanks for the help.

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  24. Okay I can follow some of the information here, some of it is unclear though. I am new to Ubuntu/Linux I am running ORACLE VM Virtual-box and my OS is Ubuntu 10.04.4 LTS Lucid Lynx. Every time I log off and shutdown Ubuntu and shut down my computer, when I go back in to start Ubuntu and go to open avast! anti-virus it still gives me the error "An error occurred in avast! engine : Invalid argument. I have the avastupdate.sh downloaded and saved. As I mentioned above each time I start Ubuntu I get the same error as above and have to rerun script in terminal. I am brand new to Ubuntu so some help will be appreciated. Than yo.

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  25. Hi Monk. The script is a simple batch file that includes commands to prepare your Kernel to accept the new signatures that are downloaded via the Avast! update command. You have the option of scheduling the script to run at intervals using Cron for example or you can include it as part of your boot up. That is up to you to define.

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  26. wow, it works like a charm!!!
    thank you very much, you are so brilliant when created that .sh file

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  27. No problem... just trying to help. If you appreciate the scripts I provide on this blog, please show your support to my work by donating money via Paypal by clicking on the "Donate" button on the right panel.

    ReplyDelete

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