Cochise, why don’t you give a try on Rod’s solution (and Vlk link for new ashserve.exe)?
The update of today (November 5th) was just a virus database update (VPS 0310-7) and do not ask for reboot in my system, but maybe Rod’s have some other stuff to be updated… 
I gave it a try and like Rod said, it works but Avast will ask you to reboot which I declined it.
Where do we go from here?
I do recommend a new full download of avast! setup.
Desinstall / Boot / Download and run avast 4.0 Uninstall / Boot / Install again
Try to update and see what happens. This is the text of the update of today (November 5th):
New iAVS update for avast!4 and avast32 has been released recently.
Related files could be also found on our Internet sites.
Note: This is a standard update
Avast asks for a reboot, because it wants to replace the ashserve.exe file with the original file. It will ask for a reboot every time it updates, which must be declined, or else the file will be replaced, requiring a replacement of the file again.
I guess this will be the way it is until the program has been changed to include the patched file as the default. I hope this is being worked on.
Rod
I think you’re right… Troubles with avast! setup file (and consequently with the updates) are being discussed and posted here.
Another reason to be able to turn off automatic updating 
…
This feature, like a lot of others, relays on user’s freedom of choice…
But I disagree of you. Automatic updating is quite the best feature of avast! In a working system, with no installation errors, everything goes fine. I had only a trouble, in the past, with an update. Two hours later, avast! team correct a bug in the update… The price for not automatic updates does not worth the tranquility and peace to get rid and avoid viruses infection.
I do believe in avast! team and users! ;D
You may disagree with me purely based on the difficulty to remove such a feature, but as I’ve said before I understand and agree with that point.
But to me as long as the interface is good and clearly seperates basic and advanced options with good documentation then there is no such thing as a bad option.
I assume that in avast every option that is reasonably easy to turn off or on is integrated (otherwise why would you allow the resdient scanner to be disabled. If a virius were targeted at avast it could in theory shut the engine down.)
Again if the complexity of the situation makes it not productive to do its understandable…My comment had a smile by the way and was a half joke.
Ok, I understand your point of view. By now, just avast! team could say something… It is out of my hands… See you round, bro
I removed Avast with Avclear and downloaded the new Avast file and installed it. I have not seen the double dial that I was getting before but I will see how it works for a few days and keep you posted as far as if the problem goes away.
but now UseRAS=1 DOES IT WORK ??? :o :o :o