http error installing home edition of avast

Brand new HP laptop running Vista. I download free Avast home edition setup program ok. I run it to the point of language choice. Then, I get an error about http failure and the setup aborts.

What’s going on? I tried CNet and the alwil web site directly for downloads, same problem.

Thanks

I am guessing your laptop came with a free trial of an AV like Norton or McAfee. You need to get rid of that first with the appropriate removal tool and then install Avast!.
Norton —>http://service1.symantec.com/Support/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2005033108162039
McAfee—>http://service.mcafee.com/FAQDocument.aspx?id=TS100507

CNET is an online installation.
Alwil site (better in my opinion) will give you the full version.
How do you connect Internet? Are you experiencing trouble with any other download?

Make sure you have the full Avast setup file before uninstalling your existing protection. The full installer is approx 37Mb, not the 300kb one on Cnet.
Once the setup file has fully downloaded, then go offline before uninstalling the old/installing the new.