Can anyone tell me why the resident protection never started when I switched on my computer this morning and the little sysbol on the bottom right hand corner has disappeared
Which is your Windows? 98, Me, XP, Vista?
Do you use any other antivirus in your computer?
Can you try to repair your installation?
Go to Control Panel > Add/Remove programs > avast! antivirus > Remove. Then choose Repair function in the popup window (Repair).
If this does not help, can you uninstall / boot / install / boot again?