Before you try what artras said, could you test this:
- Right-Click the ‘a’ blue icon in the system tray.
- Run avast! antivirus.
- Right-Click the skin and choose Settings.
- Go to Update (Advanced) tab.
- Select the way you connect the Internet (dial up or DSL).
- Go to your browser and configure ‘Never dial a conection’ or ‘Use the default connection’ or anything you want.
- Boot.
Must work :-\