YES I was able to OPEN from Notepad no problem. I just checked it out but I am still having problems as I stated previous posts. In fact, after I contacted avast support. I received instructions from support suggesting that I used their removal tool so I did that and install a new avast today. Of course I was wondering why I wasn’t told to use add/remove unistall first. But what do I know? I just followed instuctions. So I did that today and hopefully I would be able to click on folders to scan…BUT same darn problem!!! >:(I cannot believe it! I think something is wrong with my pc. Maybe important file is missing or something I don’t know I give up and I am taking this pc to repair shop Monday shudders hate to think how much this will costs me :‘( :’( Rose
Rose, what did you use for anti-virus protection before installing Avast?
I don’t understand your question? You mean what did i used to have before avast? Mcafee Security Center that was almost a year ago.
If you are talking about what protection I have before I installing a new avast? None…how would I do that? First I downloaded new avast and saved to my desktop. Then I used avast uninstall utility when done, I installed a new avast. Did I do wrong? I have dsl thru phone…maybe I should have disconnected OHHH I don’t know anymore! ??? Rose
Hi Rose,
No, I do not think you did wrong. So, hang in there and do not let this upset you much. Keep calm. 
I asked about the prior anti-virus because sometimes left over files/registry entries from other av programs will foul any other av program. This is particualrly true of Norton and McAfee. And, I was searching for a clue to what is causing this problem. But, if you have been successfully using avast! since then until now, that probably is not the problem. You have been using avast! since then, right?
Yes, since I removed Mcafee almost a year ago and installed avast successfully. I knew about leftover files when removing something so I already went over it and took care of it. I NEVER had any problem using avast till now. I don’t know what was going on with my pc. I thought uninstalling avast and putting in new install avast will help me to click on folders to scan but NO… same problem again. I don’t understand. Same goes with My Documents folder and other folders, I cannot click move or copy this file function I can right click copy and paste into another folder but what if I have 20 or 50 files I want to move? Too hard and too much time, I need that left hand column under file and folder tasks working again. Only way I could do is create a new folder drag and drop files in there and then drag and drop a new folder into where I want it to go.
Is this an odd ball that no one ever heard of before that happen to anyone? I’d wonder…I have no idea which file corrupt or something. I am going to let ewido scanned pc again…Rose
OK I am still here needing help…after reinstalled another avast I still cannot click on folders to scan…what could be the problem?? I don’t understand this 
Rose
Actually, I had a similar problem about 5 years ago but that was with W98SE. What corrected that for me was an over-install of the OS. In the process of doing that, one or more corrupted files were replaced.
I am thinking your original problem is no longer but in the process somewhere, one or more files may have been corrupted which is now causing your present problem.
I cannot say this will work with XP as I have not yet needed to do such. Perhaps someone else can post as to whether or not this will work using XP.
If you have a branded computer (HP, Dell, Gateway, etc) it may have come with a recovery disc that may help you in this situation.
EDIT :
Also, before doing anything else, you might check the system event logs to see if there is a clue there to what is going on.
OK I will go look at system logs I may not understand what it means but if you want I can copy and paste it here…I don’t think I have recovery disc but I don’t know if that is the same I only have reinstallation CD windows ex home edition including service pack 1a. That’s what it says…I have service pack 2 installed from mircosoft updates. I have this pc 2 years now from DELL. Please take a look at this link…sound like my problems. Tell me what you think…
http://forums.techarena.in/showthread.php?t=494711
I do have HP printer/scanner on my pc hooked up…My problems started tues after lastest mirosoft updates. When I used system restore, everything was fine until I installed updates again, I had same problems so I was thinking that might be IT! What do you think? I didn’t try to use system restore again as I don’t like to do it often. I only used system restore twice in 2 years…waiting to hear from you…
http://support.microsoft.com/gp/assistsupport
Can anyone see this page? I can’t some are blank and I can’t see go to email request I got a page * cannot display*
I am trying to find out if lastest updates are causing problems
I read through the first link you gave and there are some similarities though I am not sure it is the exact same problem you have. But, you say you have the HP scanner/printer mentioned so perhaps there is something to this. I am sorry but this is the first I have heard about this concerning HP scanners/printers and that update.
Yes, with the second link you gave, I can see the page perfectly. I do not, however, see an email request on that page … only see “email this page” which is not an active link for me.
I hope Microsoft will come up with a fix about latest updates whoever have HP products. I am tired of my programs hangs. So far only 2 hangs are avast and windows explorer. My laptop have no problems whatsoever I don’t have HP printer/scanner on it. Only my pc is suffering. I am at my wit’s end :-\ I just have to wait…I don’t know how to read from event viewer logs. I don’t understand it…what will I have to do now? Just wait? Or should I try uninstall avast and install a different anti-virus program? I really like my avast but I can’t do anything with it. Iwant to be able to scan folders if I have something in the email or downloads. Advise me? Thanks… ???
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/918165
I want everone to know that it solved my problems…Thank you all… I have HP printer/scanner products that was the problems. ;D
Glad you found out what the problem/s were causing you so much grief. Have a great day.
Rose, I am happy that you have found an answer to your problem.
I am sorry that I did not know about this before now but none of us did. 
The good thing is, that through your posting here, we have all learnt something new.
Yes, thank you all who tried to help me…It was causing me a lot of grief since tues that I was unable to sleep well and today was first day I slept very well ;D I turned my automatic updates off now, I no longer trusted updates that I will wait to see if anyone having problems from now on. Don’t worry I will keep my pc updates every month and I will wait few days after new updates. I know microsoft updates on second tues every month so I will be watching for it. I’m sure everyone will know now on how to solve their problems…Thank you…Rose
You might try setting your MS auto updates to the 18th of each month … or possibly to the 21st of each month. this way, you will have at least 3 days (or at least 7 days) before it checks for updates. Of course, this will leave your computer sometimes lacking in security updates. But that’s what you intend to do anyway. 
