Hi - i am a real newbie - i downloaded the avast free version - i have vista - and now i cant find it anywhere? anyone know how i can run it and get all the icons and everything? thanks
It is more than likely in your downloads folder or in your documents.On my laptop if you click the windows circle a box will appear with your programmes and to the right of that a list which at the top is usually a name of what you called your computer click on that then click on downloads folder then look for Avast then click to open then click run to install. 
hi - thanks for you help - but i still can’t see it?
Out of curiosity do you already have a anti virus on your laptop because they often come pre-installed.If so two will not play nice together.
hi - yes had mcafee and then avg but uninstalled both… i think…
This article provides the steps to remove SecurityCenter from your computer.
http://ts.mcafeehelp.com/faq3.asp?docid=71525
Also for direct download: http://download.mcafee.com/products/licensed/cust_support_patches/VSCleanupTool.exe
and http://download.mcafee.com/products/licensed/cust_support_patches/MCPR.exe (2007)
Sometimes, McAfee won’t be completely removed if, before, you do not uninstall Avast, including the use of its “Uninstall Application” if necessary (www.avast.com/eng/faq-install-uninstall-avast.html).
For AVG, try the remover download here: http://www.grisoft.com/ww.download-tools