My newly installed avast free antivirus is not working. The “RESTART” blue button also doesn’t work. I keep on getting the error message, " URGENT. avast service stopped. The avast antivirus programme has been stopped, or is in an inconsistent state. Please restart the programme to resume protecting your system". I am not deleting my earlier antivirus from a different source, not working to my full satisfaction, on my computer, because if the avast fails I shall be left with no anti virus to fall to. Please suggest what to do.
Welcome top the forum. 
You can’t run 2 resident AV on the same computer.
This is most likely the reason for avast! not working properly.
The following should help you resolve the problem.
http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=93544.msg915130#msg915130