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jules · Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2007 9:09 am Post subject: McAfee and VDS programs

Anyone here using McAfee anti-virus? I have had two reports from people trying to install a program of mine developed using VDS 5 that they were unable to install it. My installer reported that the file was in use. I don't know what message was reported by the Inno installer. The reason for the message is that the installer is unable to copy the file, so it assumes that the reason is the file is in use, even though it does not even exist on the user's system.

After I suggested to the second user who experienced this that an anti-virus might be interfering with the install he disabled his McAfee anti-virus and was able to install the software. But with it enabled again he was unable to run any of the VDS programs. He did not report that they were being detected as any particular virus.

Has anyone experienced this issue? Since my VDS programs are freebies that I don't really support any more I don't want to spend a lot of my time looking into it, but I thought it might be an area of concern for VDS developers.

vdsalchemist · Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2007 12:55 pm Post subject:

jules,
I use McAfee with VDS 5 and Inno Setup. I have not tried any of your programs yet. I would be happy to download them and let you know if I have any trouble. Is there a paticular install you would like tested?

vdsalchemist · Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2007 1:02 pm Post subject:

Jules,
I downloaded and installed the Green-Saver program and did not have any trouble at all. I am assuming it used Inno setup and VDS 5.

alwayslooking · Newbie Joined: 19 Apr 2006 Posts: 13

I use McAfee products and VDS, so far no known issues.

I downloaded one of your products (greensaver) and installed it without the installer reporting any issues...on this PC I am running Vista Business and McAfee Enterprise 8.5 in a standard configuration (default install).

There are some settings in McAfee that enable it stop users from installing unwanted Programs. Perhaps there was a setting there that stopped the install (until they disabled McAfee) and stops the program running (when re-enabled). If that's the case, they could try adding the programs they want in an exclusion list.

Cheers

Matt

vtol · Posted: Sun Mar 18, 2007 3:13 am Post subject:

I had McAffee last year and never had any trouble with VDS5 at all.
But I didnt like not being able to totally unload McAffee while off line which was not an issue with VDS5. I'm using another AntiVirus now.

jules · Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2007 7:07 pm Post subject:

Thanks. GreenSaver is a Delphi program so it is not affected by the issue, although the installer is written in VDS (it's an integrated VDS 5 EXE built using VDS 6.) The programs that a couple of people have reported trouble with is Tech-Pro Utilities http://www.tech-pro.net/files/tputils.exe The last person to report the problem said that the problem definitely went away when McAfee was disabled.

vdsalchemist · Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2007 7:20 pm Post subject:

Jules,
While attempting to install Tech-Pro Utilities I got a message from the setup program. Please see the attached screen shot for the message. However I was able to click Yes for Setup to try again and the setup continued to the end. Now I am at a screen with the option to restart so I am going to restart and test the execution of Tech-Pro Utilities and let you know the outcome.

I am currently running
OS: Windows XP Pro SP2
AntiVirus: McAfee VirusScan Enterprise version 8.0.0
Buffer Overflow Protection Definitions: 131
Virus Definitions: 4988
Scan engine: 5100
Patch Versions: 13

vdsalchemist · Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2007 8:14 pm Post subject:

Jules,
After the reboot there was only 2 icons for the Tech-Pro Utilities on the start menu. The icons are for the Tech-Pro URL and the Startup.chm but none of the executables were given icons in the start menu. Here is the list of files that the setup installed in the C:\Program Files\Tech-Pro Utilities folder.

C:\Program Files\Tech-Pro Utilities\dirlst.txt
C:\Program Files\Tech-Pro Utilities\Startup
C:\Program Files\Tech-Pro Utilities\startup.lst
C:\Program Files\Tech-Pro Utilities\tech-pro.url
C:\Program Files\Tech-Pro Utilities\Startup\downloader.exe
C:\Program Files\Tech-Pro Utilities\Startup\startup.chm
C:\Program Files\Tech-Pro Utilities\Startup\startupmgr.exe
C:\Program Files\Tech-Pro Utilities\Startup\tpmenu.exe

None of the *.exe files autostarted upon reboot. There is no Windows registry entries for any of the Exe files. Also I am not sure what these programs do exactly? I guess I will read the help file now.

vdsalchemist · Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2007 8:35 pm Post subject:

Jules,
Also none of the *.Exe files have icons or Version Info resources. I cannot copy or move the *.exe's from the folder? Also I cannot view the *.exe's with a hex editor either? It is like only a shadow of the *.exe files exist in the folder?

vdsalchemist · Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2007 8:46 pm Post subject:

After shutting off the OnDemand Virus Scan of McAfee I was able to launch the Exe's.

vdsalchemist · Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2007 9:14 pm Post subject:

Ok Jules,
I think I have figured out the issue. You place your Exe's in a folder called Startup in the Program Files folder. McAfee has an issue with a folder called Startup under the Program Files folder. Also you might consider changing the name of the downloader.exe file to something else since it the name itself looks like it could be a virus. McAfee does not see downloader.exe as a virus it's just that if that name shows up on a software audit it could cause an alarm to go off.

alwayslooking · Newbie Joined: 19 Apr 2006 Posts: 13

Hi Jules,
I downloaded and installed Tech-Pro Utilities.

I am currently running
Windows Vista Business with McAfee VirusScan Enterprise version 8.5.0i

I didn't have any issues with the install or running the programs.

Cheers

Matt

jules · Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2007 1:04 pm Post subject:

Hi Dragonsphere.

Thanks for your extensive testing. I guess McAfee is blocking all access to the EXEs and that is why the icon and version resources even cannot be accessed.

I would never have guessed that the problem was due to the name of the folder being Startup. Thanks again!

Matt: Thanks also. I'm glad not everyone has these problems.