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Norton Anti-virus-Unable to Live Update (Virus Def) Error/Java 1.4.2

Hello all.

I have Norton Anti-virus 10.1.1 running on my iMac, Live Update has always been set on "auto" scheduling.

Until these few days, I have difficulties Live Updating the latest virus definition, I will get this error message window:

Updating Error

There was an error performing the update (OK button)

I emailed Symantec and got a reply, saying the problem could be due to Java 1.4.2, they ask me to re-install Java 1.4.2

However, a check at Apple's Download site reveals no single stand-alone Java 1.4.2 installer, only updates. Is Java 1.4.2 part of the current OS or was from previous OS?

Anyway when I tried downloading the Java 1.4.2 Update, my iMac refuses, in the installer it says:

You cannot install Java 1.4.2 Update 1 Package on this volume. This volume does not contain a version of Java that needs updating.


So if Java is the problem like what Symantec Support points out, how can I re-install Java 1.4.2?

Thanks and cheers

iMac G5 20" (Ambient Light Sensor) •, Mac OS X (10.4.7), • 250G HD • 2G Ram • iPod nano 4G • iPod 60G • 12" PowerBook

Posted on Oct 2, 2006 10:57 AM

Reply
80 replies

Oct 2, 2006 1:44 PM in response to howwow

I think Symantec had a temporary problem with their servers. It may be a recurring issue. I ran LiveUpdate over the weekend to get the latest virus defs and also encountered the same message, i.e.
"There was an error performing the update (OK button)"
I suspected a server issue at Symantec's end as it took a good bit of time before it apparently timed-out and nothing was downloaded.

I tried again five minutes later and the update went fine. Therefore, I suspect they had a server glitch, similar to the same problem Apple has been having lately keeping the Discussions running. 😉

Good luck!

😉 Dr. Smoke
Author: Troubleshooting Mac® OS X

Oct 2, 2006 7:39 PM in response to Dr. Smoke

Hi Dr Smoke, thanks for the re-assurance. Your post just gave more weight to the possibility of a server glitch rather than a Jave re-install, because...

At first I thought it was due to OS Update to 10.4.8; At work I have a G5 Tower and a PB 12", both still running at 10.4.7, and Live Update went fine with no error messages, even without any new updates. I made a copy of all the Java folders I can find.

Then for both macs I perform the OS Update, Repair Permissions etc etc, all that went fine. After that, both macs I ran Live Update, and they did just fine too.

So what should I do now? Wait a few more days? It has been happening to my home iMac G5 since last Thursday. Or should I just try replacing those Java folders (and its contents) from my G5 to the iMac - or is it ill advise?

Thanks and cheers

Oct 2, 2006 10:19 PM in response to howwow

Have you tried downloading and installing the Java 1.3.1 and 1.4.2 Release 2 for 10.4 or later? The Java 1.4.2 Update 1 requires Java 1.4.1 to be installed so if you already have Java 1.4.2 that's why you get the error message because there is nothing to update. Before you try to reinstall Java you might have to trash the Java 1.3.1 and Java 1.4.2.pkg files in Mac OS X disk/Library/Receipts/ and trash the respective Plugin Settings applications in Applications/Utilities/Java/

Oct 2, 2006 11:02 PM in response to scapesuiter

Hi scapesuiter,

Thanks for the great tip, I did download the Java 1.3.1 & 1.4.2 Release 2 and tried but failed to install, because I did not trash the pkg files.

So just to be clear, am I just to (re)install this particular download? And not needing to trace back to earlier releases like the Jave 1.4.1? Which took me a long while but seem unable to locate this download...

Thanks and cheers

Oct 3, 2006 4:17 AM in response to howwow

Before doing anything else, I recommend you determine the version of Java installed on the affected computer using the Terminal command:

java -version

For example, on my PowerMac G5 running 10.4.8, I see:

[PMG5:~] drsmoke% java -version
java version "1.5.0_06"
Java(TM) 2 Runtime Environment, Standard Edition (build 1.5.0_06-112)
Java HotSpot(TM) Client VM (build 1.5.0_06-64, mixed mode, sharing)


If you run into the same error on your iMac G5 at home, you could also then immediately check the ends of these Console logs for additional clues, e.g. messages related to LiveUpdate.

Good luck!

😉 Dr. Smoke
Author: Troubleshooting Mac® OS X

---
Note: The information provided in the link(s) above is freely available. However, because I own The X Lab™, a commercial Web site to which some of these links point, the Apple Discussions Terms of Use require I include the following disclosure statement with this post:

I may receive some form of compensation, financial or otherwise, from my recommendation or link.

Oct 3, 2006 8:07 AM in response to Dr. Smoke

Hi Dr. Smoke, I have the same Java version as yours stated in your post. Also, to the previos post, I trashed all the Java receipts and still unable to (re)install Java 1.3.1 and 1.4.2 Release 2, I think the console results say it all, I have Java ver. 1.5, right?

Dr. Smoke, not exactly sure how to go from here where you point to the URL, about checking the console messages/logs for Live Update? Can you help provide some pointers.

Just got another email from Symantec, telling me to download the Virus Def manually, then wait for a few days and see what happens.

But the evident at the office, where two macs have 10.4.8 updates, and probably the same files structure (particular to Java), and they preform the Live Update normally, worries me.

The fact that I can seem to find an installer to override the alleged Java 1.4.2 file...

I really don't know where to go from here, I don't want to from now on, keep downloading manually and install each Virus Def Update.

Cheers

Oct 3, 2006 2:38 PM in response to howwow

1. You wrote:
"Also, to the previos post, I trashed all the Java receipts and still unable to (re)install Java 1.3.1 and 1.4.2 Release 2, I think the console results say it all, I have Java ver. 1.5, right?"
If you see the same output as I provided, then you should have the same version: that should be obvious.

Don't touch anything in the Receipts directory unless you know what you're doing.

2. You wrote:
"Dr. Smoke, not exactly sure how to go from here where you point to the URL, about checking the console messages/logs for Live Update? Can you help provide some pointers."
The instructions I provided earlier, as well as my FAQ, are self-evident. You should not need any additional pointers. Re-read my instructions then re-read my FAQ.

Paraphrasnig what I wrote earlier: If you see the Live Update error again, check the ends of the logs cited in my "Checking Console for clues" FAQ for any messages related to LiveUpdate problems, e.g. messages citing LiveUpdate that were written to the ends of the logs I cite in my FAQ at the time the problem occurred. If you check immediately after the problem occurs, the messages — if any — would be at the end of the log.

What could be clearer than that?

3. I suspect the Java 1.4.2 info you were given earlier by Symantec was a red herring, i.e. a false lead. Console-related messages as noted in point 2 above would be helpful.

4. You might want to perform a general checkup for some common troublemakers: run the Procedure specified in my "Resolving Disk, Permission, and Cache Corruption" FAQ. Perform the steps therein in the order specified.

5. Likewise, following the Symantec advice to download the virus defs once and then trying again in a week or so isn't a bad idea.

Good luck!

😉 Dr. Smoke
Author: Troubleshooting Mac® OS X

---
Note: The information provided in the link(s) above is freely available. However, because I own The X Lab™, a commercial Web site to which some of these links point, the Apple Discussions Terms of Use require I include the following disclosure statement with this post:

I may receive some form of compensation, financial or otherwise, from my recommendation or link.

Oct 3, 2006 7:07 PM in response to Dr. Smoke

Hello Dr. Smoke, thanks for all the time and help provided, you have been very detail and patient!

I think I am beginning to think what you said earlier about the Symantec servers may be true afterall, either that or somehow the cable connection to my iMac and my home AirPort Wireless Network has some "effect" on the Live Update.

Because I tried the same Live Update on my sis's Intel Mac mini, just did her OS update in the weekend, her mac has very little software etc, i.e. not a complicated machine, she just surf and email. Anyway, I got the same error message. That "couldn't be a coincident" right?

Secondly, I heed Symantec's advice and downloaded the stand alone Virus Def Update and install, after that I ran Live Update, and this time no error message, but with that "big" window informing me of all the latest Norton AV components' (update) status.

Thanks again and cheers

Oct 6, 2006 5:08 PM in response to Dr. Smoke

3. I suspect the Java 1.4.2 info you were given
earlier by Symantec was a red herring, i.e. a false
lead.


Dr. Smoke, I thought that may be the case for me also. This is second week I get the "there was and upadating error". with live update. I got through to them on and there "chat" they sent me to this URL http://www.javatester.org/enabled.html

Im like Huh? Im still on 10.4.7 ergo I have not done any new OS updates, security or otherwise, yet get the "error" message and now every time i try to get throuhg to Symantec support both Sarfari and Firefox crash or I get an eternall spinning beach ball just try to see there web pages for support.

Makes me wonder if somebody has finally written a bug that keeps us from accessing Symantec support. I dunno.

Ran

Oct 7, 2006 9:58 AM in response to Ran

Hi, Ran.

1. re: Symantec Support web page.

I have been able to reproduce the problem you've seen with the Symantec Support site home page:

http://www.symantec.com/techsupp/index.html

I've tested this with Safari on two computers, one running 10.4.8 and the second running 10.4.7. I also tested it with OmnIWeb 5.5 (latest) on the Mac running 10.4.8.

The page does not load fully and then the browsers hang ("not responding" in Activity Monitor). The one time when the page did load OK, clicking one of the links on the page resulted in the browser still hanging.

I ran sample from within Activity Monitor to capture a trace of Safari while it was hung. I've sent this, along with a detailed report, to Symantec. This included an analysis of the page by the W3C HTML Validator, which flags some issues.

I even launched our old favorite, MS IE 5.2.3, and it flagged an error in a script on that page.

So, it looks like something could be amiss with the Symantec Support web page.

2. re: LiveUpdate issue reported by howwow. I've been unable to reproduce that problem as LiveUpdate currently shows all NAV components up-to-date on my Macs. I'm keeping an eye out for the next NAV virus defs update to test this again.

Good luck!

😉 Dr. Smoke
Author: Troubleshooting Mac® OS X

Oct 7, 2006 11:12 AM in response to Dr. Smoke

Hi Dr Smoke,

I would like to add prior to my success as reported in my previous post that I went to Symantec's Download page to download the latest Virus Def installer and after installation it solved my Live Update problem.

Because I threw away the downloaded installer file, a few days later I wanted to go to the same page to download the Virus Def file to install on my sis's Mac mini, same like was reported previously, Safari will not respond further then the Download link, Rainbow wheel... I have to force quit Safari, this happens on both Safaris on my iMac and the Mac mini.

Until today I have not yet try to download the Virus Def file...

Cheers

Oct 7, 2006 11:16 AM in response to Dr. Smoke

I have been able to reproduce the problem you've seen
with the Symantec Support site home page:
http://www.symantec.com/techsupp/index.html


Dr. Smoke, great to hear Im not alone.

The page does not load fully and then the browsers
hang ("not responding" in Activity Monitor). The one
time when the page did load OK, clicking one of the
links on the page resulted in the browser still
hanging.


Yes, same sort of results here on several several trys to contact them via their suport page.

I've sent this, along
with a detailed report, to Symantec. This included
an analysis
of the page
by the W3C HTML Validator, which
flags some issues.


Thank you and I hope it gets their attention.


I even launched our old favorite, MS IE 5.2.3, and it
flagged an error in a script on that page.


You ARE thorough!

So, it looks like something could be amiss with the
Symantec Support web page.


That was my conclusion after droppng the viral bug idea.

2. re: LiveUpdate issue reported by howwow.
I've been unable to reproduce that problem as
LiveUpdate currently shows all NAV components
up-to-date on my Macs. I'm keeping an eye out for
the next NAV virus defs update to test this again.


Ok, well I sitll cant get viral definitons "Live Updates" and the following is a letter from them with suggestions for me. Im doubtful that this is the problem tho.

......"This error may occur because of a problem with Java in Mac OS X. The version of LiveUpdate that is included with Norton AntiVirus for Macintosh 9.0.x is a Java-based application. You may also see the following message:

"There are pieces missing from LiveUpdate. Try reinstalling LiveUpdate."
P.S. Dr Smoke I dont get this message

..."For more information about how to update Java in Mac OS X to solve this problem, read the document Error: "There are pieces missing from LiveUpdate. Try reinstalling LiveUpdate."

If you see this error message after you upgrade to Mac OS X 10.3.9, then read the document Error: "There are pieces missing from LiveUpdate. Try reinstalling LiveUpdate." after upgrading to Mac OS X 10.3.9.".....


Thank you agin Dr. Smoke. As always your assistance and knowledge base is gives us dediceated mac users much comfort.

Ran

Oct 7, 2006 11:42 AM in response to Ran

1. re: Symantec support page issue: Thanks. I suspect my report will get their attention. I've found them to generally be responsive to issues with their Web site. Being that it is the weekend here in the states, I don't expect to hear anything back until Monday or Tuesday.

2. re: message from Symantec. What version of NAV are you using with 10.4.7? NAV 10 or NAV9?

The reply they sent you refers to NAV 9:
"The version of LiveUpdate that is included with Norton AntiVirus for Macintosh 9.0.x..." [Emphasis added]
• If you're using NAV 9, it is incompatible with Tiger. With Mac OS X 10.4, you should be using NAV 10 for Mac. See: "Compatibility between Symantec software and Mac OS X."

• If you're running NAV 10 for Mac, then I suspect they've answered your question incorrectly, i.e. sent you a NAV 9 answer but you're using NAV 10. LiveUpdate in NAV 10 may also be Java-based, but it should work with Tiger: it does on my Macs running Tiger.
Good luck!

😉 Dr. Smoke
Author: Troubleshooting Mac® OS X

Norton Anti-virus-Unable to Live Update (Virus Def) Error/Java 1.4.2

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