Package is Broken

Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security
1

Windows 7 Home Premium; Avast! Program Version 5.0.377, Virus Definitions 100126-1: Attempted updates to both return “Package Broken”.

[EDIT]

“Fun” morning:

  1. Wake computer.
  2. Notice Avast! notice of updated virus definitions.
  3. Notice Blue Screen.
  4. Let computer recover.
  5. Notice MS update icon, find unexpected updates, install same, restart computer.
  6. Try to update Avast! to no avail.
  7. Post message on this forum, hoping that I might receive a quick reply; no luck.
  8. Check Control Panel, find Avast! does not have a repair function.
  9. Go to Avast! home page, find Knowledge Base; find, therein, an entry to reinstall Avast! when “Package Broken” encountered.
  10. Find download location for Avast! 5.x; download file.
  11. Start downloaded file, find that it removes existing copy of Avast!, requiring a restart of computer.
  12. Restart, wait until various programs finish loading, click again on Avast! 5.x downloaded file, Avast! installs.
  13. Open Avast!, go to Update Virus Definitions, notice that progress bar never progresses, begin to wonder if there is now a new problem.
  14. Notice that Avast! automated update notification appears, complete with audio to that effect.
  15. Go to Avast! settings, turn off sounds.
  16. Restart Firefox, return to this forum, edit my original message.
  17. Everything else…