IE9 problems after install

Hi - hoping someone has some advice.
My step dad was running the ‘pay’ version of Avast and over the weekend, I uninstalled that version and installed the Free version. Now when he tries to play a game at MSN, the new window opens but the game doesn’t load - just sits there. Eventually, he gets a ‘IE can’t load this window’ message.
I can run the same game from my computer with no problem.
I’ve checked his pop-up and other settings in IE and don’t see anything.
we’ve checked Install/remove programs and the only Avast that is listed is the free version.

Anyone have any ideas?
All help is very much appreciated. Just because I’m in IT doesn’t mean I know it all but my family certainly thinks it does :stuck_out_tongue:

does it work if you disable avast webshield ?

do you have a firewall with outbound protection ?

Turning off WebShield didn’t fix the problem.

We don’t believe that outward protection is turned on.

This functionality worked just fine before we uninstalled the ‘pay’ version and installed the ‘free’ version - that’s why I think it is some kind of conflict or configuration problem.