Recently,I tried to update AVG anti-virus definition files like I normally do regularly.This time however,I saw an unusual error message :
“Invalid Update Control CTF File, AVG 8.0”
What this probably meant was the AVG update database control file was probably corrupt on my Vista machine and hence no updates were getting installed.The definite fix for this error is the deleting of stale .ctf files which by default in Windows XP are in Documents and SettingsAll UsersApplication Dataavg8updatedownload in your system drive.
However,I got the error on Vista which does not have the Documents and Settings folder at all by default.Instead it has C:ProgramData which is a symlink.
To get rid of the AVG error in Vista,go to command prompt (Start > Run > cmd).
With administrator rights,navigate to C:ProgramDataAVG8updatedownload
This will be same as C:Documents and SettingsAll UsersApplication Dataavg8updatedownload in XP.
List all the ctf files by doing a dir *.ctf and then delete all of those files sweetly from command prompt by del *.ctf
Confirm this deletion by trying to list dir *.ctf and no files should be found.
Try running the AVG updates again,this time the error message should no longer be there.Instead AVG will give the usual healthy message that it gives after a successful update :
To automate the above steps,a simple batch file can also be created.Take a look here if you want to do that.
Hope this has been an informative post.
Remember to religiously update your antivirus software.