it updated after spending hours trying to, and now the realtime scanner doesnt work. no email scan, no real time. any ideas? do i dump it and get something else?

Reboot and see if it will work.(I have never had any update problems)

still not working.

Their system was inaccessible for updates earlier today.

There was a huge update (3-4MB) yesterday.

How do you know the realtime scanners aren't working?

Your update could have just failed. Don't run any disk cleaners whilst the update is downloading etc., including CCleaner because the updater utilizes Internet Explorer's Temporary Internet Files folder for the downloading process if I'm not mistaken.

Verify some settings:
1. Run eTrust EZ AV.
2. On the 'Virus Scanning' tab click the small 'Details' button at the bottom right, everything it lists should have a green check mark.

If some of the items in Details don't have a green check mark do the following:
1. Click 'Scan Settings', if everything doesn't have a check mark next to it click 'Restore Defaults'. You may be asked to reboot, I would reboot even if not prompted to do so.
2. After your system restarts verify the settings again. If the real-time protection is still inactive manually run an update by running eTrust EZ AV and click the 'Update' tab and then click 'Update'.

I've been getting this problem, but a System Restore, followed by an update of the EZ Antivirus seems to work O.K. I just did that, optimized my PC, and created a restore point for me to refer back to, if I need it.

All is good. I redownloaded the update, and its all working now. Thanks for the suggestions guys.

Here's a few links from CA Support that might help if anyone has problems downloading updates

AutoDownload Fatal Error 3 and 550 Error

AutoDownload - Common Problems

eTrust EZ Antivirus Top 10 Technical Issues