I’m using Avast 4.6 Home edition on my laptop. I’ve successfully established connectivity between my laptop and my Dell Axim (X51v) PDA; however, after manumerous attempts to have the device and laptop communicate using Bluetooth, I’m totally frustrated. Is there a firewall somewhere in Avast that might be blocking me?
Welcome to the forums, benburgess. 
There is no firewall in Avast. But, if you have a firewall, you should let all avast services through the firewall for the program to work correctly. Avast services will start will ash or asw. This one … ashWebSv.exe … would be an example.
I am not that familiar with Bluetooth but I am sure someone here is and hopefully more information will be posted soon that can help you.
Into the firewall settings, the following programs should be allowed to connect:
C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashWebSv.exe (avast! Web Scanner)
C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashMaiSv.exe (avast! e-Mail Scanner Service)
C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\Setup\avast.setup (avast! Update executable)
Don’t need rights to connect:
C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashServ.exe (avast! antivirus service)
C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashUpdSv.exe (avast! Update Service)
But, why is this interfering with your PDA hotsync is really strange…
avast does not block (is not a firewall) but could be blocked.
If I use Windows XP do I need to configure my firewall ? I have XP firewall and a firewall in my router (SPI firewall)
Basically you need to get a firewall that provides outbound protection, which XP’s firewall doesn’t. XP’s firewall is better than none and one that frovides outbound protection is better than XP’s firewall.
Zone Alarm free http://www.zonelabs.com works fine with avast and has a reasonably friendly user interface. There are others, Comodo, Jetico, Sunbelt Kerio, etc.
See some firewall tests for comparison, some are freeware but many are paid for versions http://www.firewallleaktester.com/tests.php.
Sorry but it isn’t my question. So I have a XP firewall turn on and I have a firewall in my Netgear router (WPN824).
Do I need to configure something in my router to work with avast?
Why? Because when I turn on my router firewall it’s hard to connect to www.free.fr or www.numericable.com.
Maybe something to configure in the router?
With XP you don’t need to change anything to work with avast (WebShield and email protection are transparent, automatic).
Do you use a local proxy (an annonimizer application for instance)?
Ok for XP nothing to configure ! But in my router? I don’t use a local proxy.
avast should require any change in your router.
The router is a part of your network (your gateway, your ‘exit’ to Internet). avast works ‘behind’ the router, after the traffic have passed through it. No port needs to be opened in the router, nothing should be changed…
Thank’s a lot !