How to Update manually Virus Definations for Macafee 8.0i virus scanner...

For an online demonstration of the topic discussed in this article see Manually updating the DAT files for VirusScan Enterprise 8.0i.

For a list of all VirusScan Enterprise Tutorials, see article KB48226.

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To manually update the DAT files for VirusScan Enterprise 8.0, follow the steps below:

Step 1 - Obtain the latest DAT files.

1. Using Windows Explorer, create a temporary folder C:\DAT.
2. Using Internet Explorer, browse to:
   
   http://www.mcafee.com/apps/downloads/security_updates/dat.asp?region=us&segment=enterprise
   
   
3. Under Security Updates, select DATs.
4. Under DAT File, double-click the latest DAT file. Example: dat-5052.zip (Windows & Netware).
5. Click Save, browse to the C:\DAT and click Save again.

Step 2 - Disable the On-Access Scanner.

1. Click Start, Programs, Network Associates, and select VirusScan Console.
2. Right-click On-Access Scanner and select Disable.
   
   If this is successful, exit the VirusScan Console and continue to Step 3. If not, continue with this section.
   
   
3. If it is not possible to disable On-Access Scanner or the option is grayed out, right-click On-Access Scanner and select Properties.
4. Under General, deselect Enable on-access scanning at system startup and click OK.
5. Close any open screens and restart your system. After the system restarts, continue to Step 3.
   

Step 3 - Extract the DAT files.

1. Using WinZIP or a similar file compression utility, extract dat-5052.zip. This will produce the following files:
   
   clean.dat
   internet.dat
   names.dat
   packing.lst
   pkgdesc.ini
   scan.dat
   
   
2. Hold the CTRL key and select each of the following extracted files:
   
   clean.dat
   names.dat
   scan.dat
   
   
3. Right-click on one of the selected files and click Copy.
4. Browse to C:\Program Files\Common Files\Network Associates\Engine.
5. Right-click the Engine directory and select Paste.
6. When asked about replacing existing files, select Yes to All.

Step 4 - Verify the DAT version has been updated.

1. Click Start, All Programs, Network Associates, and select VirusScan Console.
2. Select Help, About.
3. The virus definitions should now indicate the latest DAT version is installed.

Step 5 - Enable On-Access Scanning

1. Click Start, Programs, Network Associates and select VirusScan Console.
2. Right-click On-Access Scan and select Enable.
3. Exit the VirusScan Console.