Sometimes it won’t even do a memory check. How do I boot to a cd and scan the laptop with my avast. I have a licensed version of Avast on another laptop and the setup file for that download.
You cant use Avast! from a disc or usb. It must be installed to do its thing.
Avast! does offer a separate rescue disc, but its not free, not even to existing paying customers, it is a stand-alone product>>http://www.avast.com/products#tab3 (scroll down)
Can you get into Safe Mode at all? Do you have the original disc that came with your machine?
When did this event occur and what were you doing when it happened? Surfing, downloading something, using a USB stick, etc.
Can you give us some information about your machine as well as the version of Avast you have and any other security software you have on your machine (antivirus, firewall, any other security software)?
Thank you.
Is this caused by an infection etc?Could you tell us what did you do before this?Did you install anything,new drivers etc?
@Safesurf
Glad to see you again,you are officially back?Happy new year!
Yes, I suspect an infection as well.
@ Left123, Thank you, glad to be back, and Happy New Year as well. 
@SafeSurf, +1 and the best in 2012 to you too. 
Hi there I see the chipper lady is back ;D ;D
Wow! The response is phenominal. It’s my wife’s laptop so no help there - just her usual web browsing. The boot is erratic - sometimes it gets all the way through and sometimes not, but all the time very very slow booting if not hanging. It has gone through a check disk routine three or four times recovering files each time. I was able to restore it back to an earlier point on one of the successful boots, but it’s still the same. I have it up now and am now installing Avast - very very slowly its going in. I am wondering about a hard disk failure of some sort, even though its got a 1 year old WD 1/2 T HD. It’s an abused, busted up, 6 year old Turion 1.8 dual core so it can’t stand much money put into it.
What say ye,
John
@ johnhar,
Can you please follow the instructions and attach the logs for MBAB (Malwarebytes) and OTL http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=53253.0 so we can the problem you are having? To attach your log, click “additional options” in this window > browse (I suggest you put your logs on your desktop > then upload it and post. Please let us know if you have any questions. Thank you.
@ schmidthouse and essexboy, Thank you for the warm response. It’s good to be back. 
Pulled the disk and put it in a USB enclosure and ran a Avast scan on it from another PC. It found 1 problem file in tmep internet files. I’ll run malwarebytes and get back.
Thanks for the suggestion
John