Ok, can you send me an IM (or email) with your email account configuration? (please, do not send your password ;D).
But, if you can send/receive email without avast, why don’t you try:
- Close your email client (program).
- Start Menu > All programs > avast antivirus
- Mail Protection Wizard
- Chose ‘other email client than Outlook/Exchange’ (i.e., the second option)
- Configure your email accounts (even that ones created in the future).
Will this work?