A search of these forums for dbsCreateObject will no doubt return many hits as this topic has been previously discussed a number of times.

You can download RejZor’s avast! External Control program. Here you can change the database storage method.

You may not be able to see the .ini file extension because it is a common file type and by default windows hides common/known file types, you can change this within windows to view all file types. You should however be able to see avast4 in the data folder and this will have a Type of Configuration File.