Just installed Avast for the first time. I’m not sure if I’m using the proper term when I say status bar, but the fact is that there is no sign of the Avast logo in the bottom right area (near the clock). All of my other working programs are accounted for, but no sign of Avast. It seems to be working, but I’d like to have quick access to Avast by clicking on the logo.
For the record, I’m running Win XP.
I thank you for your assistance.
avast! icon missing - As a temporary measure until this is resolved you can create a desktop shortcut for this file C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashDisp.exe (the avast icon and interface to the providers). Right click on the file and select Send To, Desktop (create shortcut). You will need to run this after each boot until the problem is resolved.
What other security based software do you have that might block new startup entries, e.g. Spybot S&D (TeaTimer), AdAware (AdWatch), SpySweeper, Spyware Doctor (StartUpGuard or OnGuard), PrevX, WinPatrol, ProcessGuard, etc. ?
Check the option in the Appearance tab of Program Settings. Or Make a link to ashdisp.exe in your startup folder. I wouldn’t try this as a first option (but a final one) as you won’t be able to find the true cause of the problem.
What avast processes are running in Task Manager, they begin with ash or asw, see image ?
Many thanks for your reply, David.
I’m running Spybot S&D/TeaTimer as well as the newly installed Avast.
The Task Manager tells me that the following are running:
I’m confident the program is working as it should. For one thing, during the short duration between uninstalling AVG and introducing Avast to the system, Windows Security kept reminding me that I had no virus protection. Once Avast took hold, that stopped.
I guess what I’m really looking for is the icon which confirms at any time that Avast is up and running.
Again, I appreciate your advice.
Strange as the avast icon, is the ashDisp.exe process, so if that is running there should be an avast icon.
However, your problem is more serious as effectively given the processes you reported avast shouldn’t be running, so I feel you have missed some. The second and third ones you mentioned require that ashServ.exe, the main avast scanning engine is running. You are also missing the avast update process aswUpdSv.exe.
So please check again, try clicking the column heading (Image Name) in the task manager to sort the list into alphabetic order (like in my previous image, click it to expand the image).
I would for the time being disable the Spybot S&D resident protection (TeaTimer) and try a repair of avast. Add Remove programs, select ‘avast! Anti-Virus,’ click the Change/Remove button and scroll down to Repair, click next and follow.
Missing icon/s and processes are also often caused by the presence of another AV or remnants of one.
Have (or did) you another Anti-Virus installed in this system, if so what was it and how did you get rid of it ?
Welcome to the forum.
Make sure that TeaTimer isn’t the culprit.
I’m highly pleased to announce that the problem has now been eradicated. As in “gone but not forgotten.”
First of all, I double-checked the Task Manager and both ashServ.exe and aswUpdSv.exe are indeed running.
And then, as if struck by a lightning bolt from above, it suddenly dawned on me: how’s 'bout looking into your firewall?
To conclude this suspenseful adventure, that proved to be the source of the difficulty. The firewall was waiting for my approval, granting Avast permission to launch the icon.
My gratitude goes out to the ever-patient David R. And a howdy-do and thank you to Bob. As the book title would have it, “All’s Quiet on the Western Front.” 
= Richard Berger =
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Usually, Spybot’s Teatimer will not prevent a known legitimate program from installing correctly. We all know avast is a known legitimate program. Nor do I think the firewall (whichever it is) was the real culprit but instead was a result of another interference.
For one thing, during the short duration between [b]uninstalling AVG[/b] and introducing Avast to the system[i]the bold is my addition[/i]
As David asked …
Have (or did) you another Anti-Virus installed in this system, if so what was it and how did you get rid of it ?... just how did you uninstall AVG?
Using “Add/remove Programs” alone will not be enough and the remains of AVG on your computer will cause problems.
You’re welcome.
Thankfully things appear to be running OK now.
As CharelyO mentions and why I asked, remnants of a previous AV can gum up the works, so it will be worth running this tool to remove remnants - AVG8.x Remover, download tool from here, http://www.avg.com/download-tools there is a 32bit and 64 bit windows version, ensure you use the correct one (most likely 32bit in your case).