Are you running the resident part of S&D, TeaTimer, if so that could block the creation of the avast startup entry for the ashDisp.exe avast icon. If you do use it, check if it did block the startup entry for the avast icon and if so restore it.
This is the last part of your advice. I opened S & D up, went to advanced mode(that’s the only way i could get into settings and tools), and, if i’m in the right part of the resident part, “desktop icon and quick launch icon” ARE NOT marked. To be honest, i have no idea of how to find the “ashDisp.exe”. The only reason i guess i’m confused/worried about the icon, is there have been times where after the virus data base has been updated, i have problems with warnings popping up when booting up about certain services not running, then go into Comodo firewall and check settings. This usually goes away though after re-booting a couple times, which, related to this, i have had the icon disappear before, but, when re-booting, the icon came back, but it hasn’t in this situation.
This should be with your original Topic, http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=30678.0, keeping all information together as in isolation it is meaningless.