Classic Shell: Forum

I have been meaning to post this problem for a couple of weeks. I tried to use the Check for updates option and always get "Failed to Check for updates" message. I saw a message from another user and was suggested to reinstall 4.0.2, then check for updates. The problem is that I don't have version 4.0.2. I started with 4.0.4. I am currently at 4.0.6. I have been going to the site and checking for updates. It would be nice to have it check automatically so I don't have to remember.

The only components I installed were ClassicStartMenu and Update. I did not install Classic IE and the other one (can't remember the name).

I am running Windows 8.1 Pro 64 bit.

Each of Classic Shell's components do check automatically if "Automatically check for new versions" option is on in Classic Shell Update. The Check Now button is an additional way to manually check. Make sure the Windows Firewall or any additional firewall present in your security suite/anti-malware isn't blocking C:\Program Files\Classic Shell\ClassicShellUpdate.exe from connecting to the internet.

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I am a Windows enthusiast and did Classic Shell's testing and usability/UX feedback.

Looks like lately this website has been pounded with activity, most likely from the version checks.
Try checking at different times of day to see if this is a temporary problem or it happens all the time. If the Update component always fails, we can try few other steps

I have checked it multiple times at different times of the days. It does not work. I have been using since v4.0.4 and it has never worked. I have tried it after disabling AV and MBAM; no help. I did not disable Windows Firewall, since it has never blocked anything else. I doubt that it is the problem and other people have reported the same issue. It might be worth looking into. Also, since the manual check fails, the auto-check probably fails too. Thanks.

I have Windows Firewall enabled and no other anti-malware installed except the built-in Windows Defender/Security Essentials. I am behind a NAT/router yet manual update check works for me always as well as automatic (I tried multiple times at various times of the day). Since it works for some people always at any time of the day, I think we can rule out server overload or downtime. Some machines are just unable to check due to something blocking them.

_________________
Links to some general topics:

● Compare Start Menus

● Read the Search box usage guide.

I am a Windows enthusiast and did Classic Shell's testing and usability/UX feedback.

@NewWin8User - go to Internet Explorer and type this in the address line "http://www.classicshell.net/files/updates/update_4.0.4.ver". See if it downloads a file. If so, attach it here.

This is a serious problem and I need your help troubleshooting it. If you are currently having a problem where the check for new version is failing, please do the following:

1. Download the attached file (note: it is only for Classic Shell 4.0.6. Later versions include the fix already). Unpack it. It contains a modified version of the ClassicShellUpdate utility with some added logging
2. Run the tool and click on the "Check now" button. Confirm that it reports an error
3. Go to the folder %APPDATA%\ClassicShell and look for a file named UpdateLog.txt. Attach the file here
4. Go to the folder %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\ClassicShell and look for a file named update.ver.err. If it exists, zip it and attach it here

Also please include what version of Windows are you using - 7, 8, 8.1, 32-bit or 64-bit, server or not.

Windows 8.11 64 bit german, no update.ver.err file.

Thanks, that's pretty interesting. Looks like the C:\ProgramData\ClassicShell folder doesn't exist. Create it manually and try again.

Yes, the folder does not exist, after creating the folder, the updatelog.txt shows following:



And now, the Updater says after a short popup download windows, my version is up to date.

Thanks for the help. That must be the bug then - the folder is not always created and the update check fails. Next week I will release a new version to fix the problem.

Unfortunately there's nothing I can do to fix this for the existing versions. If you have version 4.0.4, 4.0.5 or 4.0.6, and you've never had older version installed before, there is a good chance you don't have the folder and you won't get a notification to update.

I had the problem where I would always get "failed to check for updates". I created the folder above by hand and now I can see an update.ver inside it and it says I have the latest version (which is true, I'm already on 4.0.6). We'll see how it goes when a new version is released if I will get notified.

Thanks a lot for your help troubleshooting this.

I had this problem too and just created the folder and the updater says I have the latest version which is not true. I have 4.04 installed. I see 4.06 is available for download on the website, but I get no notice about it.

Because of this update issue I have not enabled the updates from older versions yet. I hope to release a new version this weekend that will fix this.

I see that 4.1.0 has been released but when checking for updates from 4.0.6 it still says it's up to date. Is this normal? Will our upgrade woes be fixed by doing one last manual update to 4.1.0?

I will enable the update from 4.0.6 later today. Until then you can download and install 4.1.0 manually.

Thank you very much. I appreciate your effort.

Sorry I have not been here lately. I saw a new version yesterday. I d/l'ed and installed it. The check for updates now works for me. I just now read the messages relating to this. I do not know if my problem was due to the missing folder, but it works now; that is what matters. Glad you were able to figure out the problem and fix it. Good work. Thanks.