I’ve just installed the free virus protection version for the first time and have tried to run the application and I’m getting this error message:
“The application has failed to start because its side-by-side configuration is incorrect. Please see the application event log or use the command-line sxstrace.exe tool for more detail”
What built of Avast 5 Free did you install? The latest build is 462. I think your problem relates to MS C++ problem. Go to control panel/programs and features, does it show Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 x86 and x64 as being installed? One or both should have been installed when you installed Avast 5 Free. Its possible only one is needed or both. I can’t say because I have several programs that install C++ so I have both. I guess I would try to install Avast 5 again and or try to repair from programs and features/ Avast 5. If all else fails you could try downloading C++ from MS.
x86 here http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=A5C84275-3B97-4AB7-A40D-3802B2AF5FC2&displaylang=en
x64 herehttp://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=ba9257ca-337f-4b40-8c14-157cfdffee4e