Automatic LiveUpdate does not update virus definitions but manual LiveUpdate does

Products

• Mail Security for Microsoft Exchange

Issue/Introduction

Automatic LiveUpdate fails to update virus definitions. In order to update virus definitions you have to run LiveUpdate manually.

 

Cause

Symantec Mail Security for Microsoft Exchange (SMSMSE) creates a task in Scheduled Tasks (windows 2003) or Task Scheduler (Windows 2008) to automatically run LiveUpdate. The System account is assigned to the task. In some cases the System account is unable to run LiveUpdate.

Resolution

Disable automatic virus definitions updates in SMSMSE and create a task using Scheduled Tasks (Server 2003) or Task Scheduler (Windows 2008) to run LiveUpdate. Make sure the user assigned to the task can successfully run LiveUpdate.  

To disable automatic virus definitions updates

1. Open SMSMSE.
2. Click Admin > LiveUpdate/Rapid Release Schedule.
3. Uncheck Enable automatic virus definitions updates

To create a task in Windows Server 2003
These steps create a LiveUpdate task that runs daily at 2 AM. Use a frequency and timer that is appropriate for your environment. 

1. Click Start > Control Panel.
2. Double-click Scheduled Tasks.
3. Double-click Add Scheduled Task.
4. The Scheduled Task Wizard opens.
5. Click Next.
6. Click Browse. Go to the location for the version of SMSMSE you have installed and choose SAVFMSELive.exe.
7. Give the task a descriptive name and check Daily.
8. Click Next.
9. Set the start time to 2 AM.
10. Leave Every Day checked.
11. Leave the Start date as today's date.
12. Click Next.
13. Enter the user name and password of the account that will run the task.
    Note:  You must be able to successfully run LiveUpdate when logged on with this account.
14. Click Next.
15. Check Open advanced properties for this task when I click Finish.
16. Click Finish.
17. In the Run box, add -s to the end of the path. The -s will cause the task to run silently. The run line will look similar to this:
    
    "C:\Program Files (x86)\Symantec\SMSMSE\6.5\Server\SAVFMSELive.exe" -s

To create a task in Windows Server 2008 or 2012
These steps create a LiveUpdate task that runs daily at 2 AM. Use a frequency and time that is appropriate for your environment.

1. Click Start > Administrative Tools.
2. Click Task Scheduler.
3. In the right panel click Create Basic Task.
4. In the Create a Basic Task dialog box give the task a name. Description is optional.
5. Click Next.
6. In the Task Trigger dialog box select Daily.
7. Click Next.
8. In the Daily dialog box change the time to 2 AM.
9. Click Next.
10. In the Action dialog box select Start a program.
11. Click Next.
12. In the Start a Program dialog box click Browse. Go the the installed location of SMSMSE and choose SAVFMSELive.exe.
13. In the Add arguments (optional) box type -s. This will cause the task to run silently.
14. Click Next.
15. Check Open the Properties dialog for this task when I click Finish.
16. Click Finish.
17. In the smsmselive task properties dialog, click Change User or Group...
18. In the Select User or Group dialog, add the account you want to run this task under, then click OK.
19. In the smsmselive task properties dialog, click Run whether user is logged on or not, then click OK.
20. Enter the password for the account you are using for the task, then click OK.
21. Exit the Task Scheduler.