I am a novice who needs help

My avast icon has a red dot in it. I cannot get the system to work . They say if I cannot delete and reinstall to start windows in safwe mode. If I go to stat I do NOT get Shut Down only log off or Tur off – I need help I have windowns XP Thanks if anyone ca tell me what to do.

Click the turn off button, you then get other options, one is Turn off the same meaning as ‘Shut Down.’ Once shut down restart your system and interrupt the boot but continually clicking the F8 key.

Have (or did) you another AV installed in this system, if so what was it and how did you get rid of it ?

hey I’m a novice,I think avast is well installed, but windows security tells me that the sysem is expired !
I did all the up datings that were necessary what more to do know ?
thnk you

This should really have been on a new topic of its own or use the forum search function as this is often asked.

Check your system time (the clock), especially the day month and year and adjust as required.

This is the most frequent cause of WSC reporting pout of date AV, especially if you have done a manual update and it reports it is up to date.

Is your system time and date correct like David asked?
If yes, check further here http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=23457.msg193534#msg193534