updates won't download-bad checksum

[jkroger]

I had the previous spybot, and quit using it because it would not update, and it said bad checksum. I got the new one and it worked, but now I tried to update and the same thing, everything says bad checksum. There are no instructions what this means or what to do. Thanks if you have any info...

Jim

[---Kc---]

Hello Jim,

Many users have reported that they are not able to download updates. The 'Search for updates' reveals updates, but they cannot be downloaded. Often a 'HTTP Error 403' or 'bad checksum' is displayed. This has a simple reason - millions of people trying to download from the same server, which can't handle such a burden. In combination with the growing size of the detection file this is becoming a serious problem. We are currently considering possibilities to improve the situation. This includes the search for additional servers and ways of more effective compression. At least one server will soon be added, others will follow hopefully.

In order to overcome the problem for now, if you try again, have a second look at the update-menu-bar after searching for new updates. Therefore choose the update site from the navigation bar on the left. Now you'll see the update-menu-bar. It has a pull-down item to select a mirror. Click the arrow beside it, and select a different location (try the ones locatest nearest to you first), where you'll most probably have better chances to download. For a better understanding we have placed a picture at this link on our website:
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/howto/update.html
In section 4 you'll see how to select a download location nearest to you.

If this sounds too difficult please try to download the updates manually:
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html
Here is the direct download link:
http://www.spybotupdates.com/updates/files/spybotsd_includes.exe
Just download and run that file - it is self-installing.

The information about "bad checksum" is also available in our FAQ:
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/faq/20.html

For more information please do also have a look into our forum:
http://forums.spybot.info/showthread.php?t=63&highlight=checksum

best regards,
KC

[noel-pr7]

I had the previous spybot, and quit using it because it would not update, and it said bad checksum. I got the new one and it worked, but now I tried to update and the same thing, everything says bad checksum. There are no instructions what this means or what to do. Thanks if you have any info...

Jim

this is a common problem when downloading spybot updates, Jim. many other spybot users including me have also experienced "bad checksum" errors when downloading updates. i think you just have to choose a different server or download the updates at a later time to see if the update servers are less crowded and you might have a better chance of downloading the updates cleanly.

[gainmorey]

I am experiencing the same symptoms, as reported by Jim.
However, the explanation, about, 'Try again', doesn't work.

If I 'Search for Updates', it tells me, 'No Updates available'

If I select another server, it prompts me to 'Select some Updates'.

I have received 'Bad Checksum', on the last 5 Updates, and this was using many of the servers available.

I have tried the manual Updater... it only Updates to what was current, a few months back.

Is there some method to 'back-out' the downloaded definition files, so I can 'Search for Updates', and it won't see that I have them ('Bad Checksum') ? Presumably, it won't let me select Updates, which it assumes I have ?

:scratch:

Love the product, it HAS worked well... but, lately, not so well...

[smokeysco]

:bigthumb: Thank you worked a treat :bigthumb: