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[Fixed] ClamWin: ERROR: Malformed database

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jeslouwa
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[Fixed] ClamWin: ERROR: Malformed database

I just uploaded the ClamWin updated today and when I start the virus scan it reads:

ERROR: Malformed database

What can I do to get the program running again?

Tim Clark
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jeslouwa

Could you try deleting all files in the directory:
x:\YourPath\ClamWinPortable\Data\db EXCEPT mirrors.dat

You should do this when CWP is NOT running,
Then connect to the net and launch CWP, it should ask you to download the latest defs databases.

Note if you are on a modem/dial-up this will take a very long time as the current main.cvd it almost 22 MB.

If needs be you can download the files needed, main.cvd and daily.cvd, from here:
http://www.clamav.net/lang/en/
from a computer with high speed access and put them in the location indicated above, After deleting all files except mirrors.dat

This is advice is based on the idea that the "ERROR: Malformed database" message refers to a bad download of the definitions database and not something else. [edit: It turns out this in not quite the case, see below]

Tim

EDIT: See my post below for a simpler solution

Things have got to get better, they can't get worse, or can they?

Tim Clark
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Follow Up, Never Mind, Confimed

Ok, I just downloaded CWP .096.1 Rev 2
md5 checksum matches

Straight install, not overwriting the previous version.

I copied in my existing .CVDs which I know were good as of Last night.

Same error,

Tim

EDIT: See my post below for a solution

Things have got to get better, they can't get worse, or can they?

John T. Haller
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Re-Download the Databases

It looks like your database is corrupt as Tim said. I'd suggest just wiping your data directory at ClamWinPortable\Data as long as you don't have any custom settings you want to keep.

Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!

Tim Clark
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OK, solution, I think

The new version of CW requires an additional file, which is not available at the page I linked to above.

After updating the app, you Must do a check for updates so you can get that file, bytecode.cvd

To force a check for updates you can delete Just the daily.cvd [or daily.cld] and it should then download a new one, AND the newly required file.

Tim

Things have got to get better, they can't get worse, or can they?

d_byrnes
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Just doing a check for

Just doing a check for updates won't do it. You'll still get that error (or at least I did). For me it was easiest to simply delete the Clamwin directory and reinstall. On start it prompted to download definitions and created the database successfully..

Tim Clark
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Probably

That is why I suggested deleting the daily.cvd, this forces CWP to ask for an update check before the interface is even done launching, saving you having to download the main.cvd, but I'm glad you got it working Smile

Tim

Things have got to get better, they can't get worse, or can they?

jeslouwa
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Thanks for the advice. Rev3

Thanks for the advice. Rev3 fixed it all up.

John T. Haller
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Fixed in Rev 3

This is fixed in rev 3. The installer will reset the ClamWin DB if upgrading from a version earlier than 0.96.1 Rev 3 to ensure no one has this issue.

Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!

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