If I do the Windows 7 repair, which leaves installed programs and personal files intact, if the problem is in the registry won’t the problem migrate over as well?

It’s been awhile since I used the OS install disks, but I think there is a backup utility which was meant to transfer the old configuration (XP) to the Windows 7 system.

I’m tempted to backup personal files and do a complete reinstallation.

HankJS

Bad News- I have Win 7 laptop I don’t use that often which I installed Avast Antivirus free and it has the same problem…no UI.

What neither of the two problem systems have in the msconfig are those “Wow6432node” location strings. My primary desktop system has those and everything works fine

??
HankJS
Newark, DE

Are both systems 32-bit or 64-bit? WoW is present only in 64-bit systems.

After a little bit of reading, that’s what I concluded.

OK, so they are each 32-bit?

I’m getting a little punchy at this now, yes they are 32bit neither has access to the Avast UI and they both communicate to a WiFi router. The desktop where everything works is Ethernet connected to the router and is a 64bit system.

HankJS

I’m not being able to open avast! clicking in the icon.
I have to manually run the link to the exe file (start menu).

Try the 3 reboot method Tech.

Perhaps worth updating to avast 9.0.2007, see http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=138753.0.

@ HankJS,

You could try this also.