What Operating System are you using ? is it up to date ?
What avast! version and VPS file (virus database) number, e.g. 0630-2 (see about avast!) ?
What is your firewall ? Does it allow ashWebSv.exe internet access ?
Try a repair of avast. Add Remove programs, select ‘avast! Anti-Virus,’ click the Change/Remove button and scroll down to Repair, click next and follow. You need to be on-line to do this.
As a temporary measure until this is resolved you can create a desktop shortcut for this file C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashDisp.exe (the avast icon and interface to the providers). Right click on the file and select Send To, Desktop (create shortcut). You will need to run this after each boot until the problem is resolved.
What other security based software do you have that might block new startup entries, e.g. Spybot S&D (TeaTimer), AdAware (AdWatch), SpySweeper, Spyware Doctor (StartUpGuard), PrevX, WinPatrol, ProcessGuard, etc. ?
This is so stoopid. I didn’t need to mention my OS - it was the same problem and fix as last time and the time before and the time before etc etc. Why don’t the makers of this anti virus just notify us there’s a new download or better yet, what on earth is the download update setting for? Why can’t we just be informed of new things instead of stuffing things up to the point of having to come to the forum, wait while we get an answer, then download a newer version and have to uninstall and reinstall everything. I’m on monthly download limits and my isp will not tolerate these new versions every few days weeks whatever. I need to be informed not get stuck with a crap program that doesn’t do what it says it will do for a couple of days (with all the spam I get I cannot go unprotected for even an hour let alone a couple of days) until I wake up and realise oh hang in, just TRY downloading a newer version in case that works. If that doesn’t work, my download limit is lost for the rest of the month which is great if I don’t want to download anything else - like updates to other protection programs and the like. Geez, get a grip people - TELL US WHEN THERE’S A NEW VERSION - we’re NOT mind readers you know.
If you don’t mention your OS when reporting a problem those helping wont know and they aren’t monitoring your post history to find out what OS you use. I know it is infuriating, but try to consider those trying to help.
The download wasn’t new, it was the, Version 4.7.942 dated January 15, 2007, what has happened is avast has forced users who haven’t updated to this version to do so. The download settings are generally followed, there have been changes to the way the VPS updates are delivered (improved) that require the latest a forced update.
So these updates aren’t happening every few, days or weeks and for the most part it is achieved by an incremental update. However some on win98 and winME are having to uninstall and reinstall.
I think his point is no notification of a forced update, but as you say he should have got notification of a program update available on January 15, 2007 or within 7 days. I guess it is difficult to remember that when you are angry because the update caused you a problem.