Valid definitions file

  • Thread starter Thread starter Byteguy
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Byteguy

This is not the same problem that was discussed in 2007--does not have
to do with mail.

I get the error "Could not locate a valid definitions file. Please go
to the program options and click 'update definitions' to download a
definitions file"

This message appears every time Vista starts. We think it has to do
with the installation of a HP printer--a Photosmart C4140 which is not
fully supported by Vista and won't completely install because of that.

The original problem gave this error along with a message that Vista
had recovered from a serious error and then would shut down in 1
minute--which it did. Continuously.

I uninstalled the printer and all was well. Funny thing is, the
computer and printer were working up until maybe 5 days ago.

Any suggestions? Perhaps installing only the basic printer drivers
for the printer would make this go away? The user says he has no need
for scanning, so maybe that solution would work. What we would really
like to know is what on earth does the error message mean. What
definitions file? What program options?

Art
 
Which software had you installed in your system just before this problem
surfaced for the first time?

This is not the same problem that was discussed in 2007--does not have
to do with mail.

I get the error "Could not locate a valid definitions file. Please go
to the program options and click 'update definitions' to download a
definitions file"

This message appears every time Vista starts. We think it has to do
with the installation of a HP printer--a Photosmart C4140 which is not
fully supported by Vista and won't completely install because of that.

The original problem gave this error along with a message that Vista
had recovered from a serious error and then would shut down in 1
minute--which it did. Continuously.

I uninstalled the printer and all was well. Funny thing is, the
computer and printer were working up until maybe 5 days ago.

Any suggestions? Perhaps installing only the basic printer drivers
for the printer would make this go away? The user says he has no need
for scanning, so maybe that solution would work. What we would really
like to know is what on earth does the error message mean. What
definitions file? What program options?

Art
 
Byteguy said:
This is not the same problem that was discussed in 2007--does not have
to do with mail.

I get the error "Could not locate a valid definitions file. Please go
to the program options and click 'update definitions' to download a
definitions file"

This message appears every time Vista starts. We think it has to do
with the installation of a HP printer--a Photosmart C4140 which is not
fully supported by Vista and won't completely install because of that.

The original problem gave this error along with a message that Vista
had recovered from a serious error and then would shut down in 1
minute--which it did. Continuously.

I uninstalled the printer and all was well. Funny thing is, the
computer and printer were working up until maybe 5 days ago.

Any suggestions? Perhaps installing only the basic printer drivers
for the printer would make this go away? The user says he has no need
for scanning, so maybe that solution would work. What we would really
like to know is what on earth does the error message mean. What
definitions file? What program options?
Click to expand...


"Valid Definitions" sounds like either AV or Anti-Spyware programs looking
for something.
 
Have a look in "Defender".
That is Vista's anti-spyware program that looks for new "Definitions" when
you start up.
Definitions files are what tells the program regarding what it is looking for.
 
Have a look in "Defender".
That is Vista's anti-spyware program that looks for new "Definitions" when
you start up.Definitionsfiles are what tells the program regarding what itis looking for.
Click to expand...

Thanks to all for your responses. I'll be looking at it today--I had
the owner remove the printer software and we'll see if that fixes the
problem.
The Defender solution might be correct, but why would the computer
give the error message along with a message that it was going to shut
down in 1 minute--keeps cycling endlessly.

Anyway, I'll be looking at the problem again today and will let you
all know what I find.

Art
 
Have a look in "Defender".
That is Vista's anti-spyware program that looks for new "Definitions" when
you start up.Definitionsfiles are what tells the program regarding what it is looking for.
Click to expand...

Client uninstalled the printer software but the problem evidently
persists.
We'll try Windows Defender next.


Art
 
This is not the same problem that was discussed in 2007--does not have
to do with mail.

I get the error "Could not locate a valid definitions file.  Please go
to the program options and click 'update definitions' to download a
definitions file"

This message appears every time Vista starts.  We think it has to do
with the installation of a HP printer--a Photosmart C4140 which is not
fully supported by Vista and won't completely install because of that.

The original problem gave this error along with a message that Vista
had recovered from a serious error and then would shut down in 1
minute--which it did.  Continuously.

I uninstalled the printer and all was well.  Funny thing is, the
computer and printer were working up until maybe 5 days ago.

Any suggestions?  Perhaps installing only the basic printer drivers
for the printer would make this go away?  The user says he has no need
for scanning, so maybe that solution would work.  What we would really
like to know is what on earth does the error message mean.  What
definitions file?  What program options?

Art
Click to expand...

OK--problem solved. Seems it was Spysweeper that was the culprit.
Strange, but it wasn't a message from that program that we saw. Looks
like the program passed the error to Vista which generated the
message. Not specific at all. And the fact that Vista kept cycling
off and on was puzzling. Anyway, we disabled Spysweeper and the
problem went away.

Art
 
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