Malwarebytes won't download.

[Clyde Mattocks]

O.K., so it's on my old other PC which has the outdated Windows XP, so that may be the first clue.
Anyway, I went to scan last week with my Malwarebytes and my definitions were about 30 days old, so I clicked on for the update. It got part way thru and stopped, saying the download had been interrupted, please try again. This time, it said the file was corrupted, please download a new version. So I uninstalled Malwarebites, then went to the official site (malwarebytes.org). I clicked on the free download, the box comes up to save the file, I click on and nothing further happens. I wait and try again, same result. Check task manager for any sign of action, check file to see if any have been downloaded, none. So I decide I'll try Microsoft Security Essestials, same results. I click the download and the save file and nothing further happens.

Other than this problem, the computer is operating normally.

[Richard Sinkler]

This computer is a Win Xp computer, and I have no problems with Malwarebytes. I get the updates fine. I have the paid version,so I don't know if that makes a difference.

[Clyde Mattocks]

Well now it seems the file actually downloaded, but gave me no hint or status while it was doing so. But when I go to install it, it tells me it is already installed, to uninstall the existing file, but when I click on the uninstall for the existing one (which doesn't work anyway), it tells me it can't find it.

[Richard Sinkler]

Download this uninstaller software. I use it any time I want to uninstall any program. It might work for you.

http://www.revouninstaller.com/revo_uni ... nload.html

[Clyde Mattocks]

Thanks Richard, I downloaded that program and it seemed to do a good job of uninstalling the old program. I now have Malwarebytes back, but when I run a scan, it gets interrupted with a box saying "SDKDatabaseloaddefaults failed with code: 2" Whatever the hell that means.

[Richard Sinkler]

Maybe Wiz will see this and know what that error message is.

[Wiz Feinberg]

Clyde;
Please reboot into Safe Mode With Networking. Uninstall then reinstall MBAM, update it and scan from Safe Mode.

If you still get errors, your PC may be infected with malware that is defending itself from MBAM. Scan for threats with whatever anti-virus you have, but update the definitions first.

If you don't turn up any known malware, your hard drive may be messed up from bad shutdowns, and/or bad magnetic sectors. The simplest diagnostics to run are Chkdsk and Defragmenter. Begin by scheduling a disk check for errors.

Go to My Computer and right-click on the C drive icon. From the flyout menu, left-select Properties. Click on the "Tools" tab. Under "Error checking" click "Check now." An options box will appear. Place a checkmark in both options and click "Start." A box will open telling you that Windows can't check the disk while it's in use. It will offer to schedule the disk check to run the next time you start your computer. Press the long button labeled "Schedule disk check."

Shut down all open programs and restart the computer. As it reboots you will eventually see text telling you that a disk check has been scheduled to run. DO NOT CLICK ANY BUTTONS on the keyboard or you will cancel the disk check.

Once Chkdsk begins scanning it will be a long time until it completes its tasks, especially the part about checking for and repairing bad sectors. You should probably find something else to do in the meantime.

When Chkdsk completes it will briefly display the results on-screen, then it will reboot the computer. Once you have logged into your computer you can go back to the same Tools menu and run Disk Defragmenter. This may take a long time. Fishing might be something to consider until it finishes.

You can also find a link to Defragmenter under: Start > (All) Programs > Accessories > System Tools

After all this is done, open the Run box and type in (or copy and paste) this command:
SFC /SCANNOW
Press Enter to begin a scan for corrupted system files. Have your Windows XP Service Pack 3 CD ready to install in case SFC finds corrupted system files. You must have the XP installation CD, with the same service pack as is in the current operating system, or a copy saved somewhere on your hard disks.

If you are still having trouble after these steps, an in-place reinstallation of Windows may be necessary.

Note, that bad or failing RAM can also cause random errors like this. Power off the PC, open the side cover and carefully remove all RAM wafers. Take them to a professional computer repair depot or custom builder that has a RAM tester.

With the cover off, vacuum out the dust bunnies.

[Clyde Mattocks]

Thanks Wiz, working on it.