my computer does not start

I ve a dell dimension 1950 with windows xp media center 2005 and I have some trouble with it. In fact after the avast automatic update my computer doesn’t want to start. We can just see a black screen and that all. So we can not use our computer anymore.
Thanks for helping us.
Christian

Have (or did) you have another AV installed in this system, if so what and how did you get rid of it ?
Can you boot into safe mode, keep tapping the F8 key when the system is booting, this interupts the normal boot, select safe mode. That should at least allow you into your system as avast doesn’t start automatically in safe mode.

thanks for your answer. There is no other AV. The computer has worked with avast for 3 month. The “F8” touch makes nothing and it doesn’t allow me to get the “save” mode. If you have another solution let me know.
Christian

Sorry the F8 key usually works to get into Safe mode in many systems (all the ones I have had). Check out this google search result http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=how+to+boot+safe+mode

What sort of automatic update was it (signature files VPS or Program) ?
Did the program request a reboot after the update ?

There has recently been a program update 4.7.892 and there is a thread asking if anyone has experienced any problems http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=23775.0 perhaps you should check that out and possibly post the information there also.

thanks for answering me so fast. I’ve guest at home so I have to disconnect but I will try tomorrow.
See you later.
Christian

No problem, welcome to the forums.