I have had Avast 4.8 for some time.
When I first got it, there were always two globes down on my system tray: the one on the left would start twitching whenever I wasn’t using the computer and was apparently building up a database. That globe has disappeared; indeed, it has not been visible for some time.
Is this normal?
Yes, it’s normal.
you have two icons, one for avast! antivirus (a ball with an “a” letter) and one for the VRDB (a ball with an “i” letter).
They can be separate or merge in the “a” ball.
Even when merged, the ‘i’ icon appears only “while” VRDB is being generated and then disappears (get merged) again.
I assume that ‘you’ didn’t actually merge the icons due to your comment, “That globe has disappeared; indeed, it has not been visible for some time.”
To check what edj and Tech are talking about, right click on the avast ’ a ’ icon and you should see an option VRDB if you did merge the icons, if you didn’t then you will see no reference to the VRDB ?
If you didn’t merge the icons then this non-display of the VRDB is ‘not’ normal and we will have to do something else to get it back.
Don’t remember merging, but going to right click>VRBD reveals splitting the two as an option.
Shall I go ahead and do it?
By the way, it’s listed to be generated when computer is idle.
Do you want merged? Don’t do it.
Do you want two separated icons? Go ahead.
No leave it merged, as a) it doesn’t take up any extra tray space, b) it only runs once every three weeks and c) now you know where it is you needn’t worry about it.
Generation on idle is fine (8 seconds with no mouse movement or keyboard activity) or you could set it to run on screen-saver if you use one.
Welcome to the forums.
Much obliged to all for their help.
This looks like a great forum. 
You’re welcome. Feel free to come back any time you need help or just to change experiences 8)
No problem, glad we could help.
You’re right about the forum, an exception to the rule ;D
Just turned on the computer and the VRDB ball appeared about four or five times in the space of a minute at some distance from the ‘a’ ball, not next to it. On each occasion it was twitching and was visible for four or five seconds.
Weird.
On contrary, it’s normal. avast is checking the state of the VRDB, isn’t it?
The ‘i’ icon spins for a while and then disappears.
Righto.
Thanks.