Avast Blocking all EXE's on Network

I have a small network with 5-6 computers on it, 4 Win7 64-bit OS and 2 XP-Pro computers. I have several programs that are on a central computer that I run from other computers. All of a sudden a few days ago all ability to run any exe over my network failed and the EXE would not load. To make matters worst after attempting to load any EXE the computer trying to run it would freeze and lock up. The only way to get the computer running again was via a forced shut down a reboot. I even tried to run notepad.exe and calc.exe across my network and this also failed and locked up the computer.
First thing I did was disable the Avast anti-virus and try again… same problem EXE’s would not run and locked up the computer system solid.
Second thing I did was ensure Windows 7 firewall was shut off, same problems.
Third thing I did was reinstall the drivers for my NIC cards on two system, same problems.
Fourth thing I did was format on Windows 7 computer and reinstall Windows and only Java and Avast anti-virus, same problems.
In desperation I complete unstalled Avast off of two computers and rebooted the computers. Now on these two computers the EXE’s would load and run as expected with no lockup.
Finally I uninstalled Avast off of all 6 computer systems and all EXE’s now load and run as expected.
As a final test I reinstalled Avast back on one computer and now the EXE not loading and system lockup is back. I disabled everything in Avast and still the problems.
The only way I could get things to work was with a total uninstall of Avast off the computers.
Anyone else ran into this one? Cost me over 10 hours of trouble shooting to resolve my problem.

what version of Avast + download link please ?

Downloaded from Cnet, the free version.
http://download.cnet.com/Avast-Free-Antivirus/3000-2239_4-10019223.html

  • — Saw another thread with a person with the same problem…
    TITLE: Avast blocking network access with Windows 7
    COMMENT: Eventually got an answer to my ticket:
    could you please check if the issue is caused by avast! Web Shield (try to stop it temporary)
    Re: Avast blocking network access with Windows 7
    « Reply #14 on: April 08, 2011, 03:03:14 AM » Quote
    WoW!!

One of the suggestions was to(in the properties of the corresponding network adapter, disable “avast! Firewall NDIS Filter Driver”)?
I did not try this an assumed if I disabled Avast on the Windows 7 taskbar everything would be shut off.
Maybe I will have to reinstall Avast to check out if there is a firewall NDIS filter driver?
Pete,