I let Avast download the new program version last night - shut down computer when I went to bed.
This morning I can no longer pick up mail with mail scanning enabled - I just get an error code.
However, if I switch mail scanning off I can get my mail no problem.
What has Avast changed which has messed up the mail scanning? and how long before it is put right.
Hi…
Clever username I must say! 
While I don’t know why this has happened specifically, you can try performing a repair installation and then try manually updating avast. Just go to the Control Panel, click on “Add/Remove Programs,” and then avast. When the menu options appear on the left (in the window that appears after clicking on avast,) scroll down to the, I believe, last option, “Repair.”
If the problem isn’t solved after performing the repair, you can try uninstalling avast with this tool…
http://www.avast.com/eng/avast-uninstall-utility.html
Then download and reinstall avast from scratch…
http://www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-home.html
If you didn’t save your registration key (e-mail,) you can apply for a new one here…
http://www.avast.com/eng/home-registration.php
Hope this helps.
Best Regards…
I’ll try it - but it’s a bit of a pain if I have to uninstall and reinstall.
Okay, I’ve tried repair - doesn’t work.
I can’t see what a new install will do - it was working perfectly before - always has.
If I’m installing exactly the same faulty new program I’ll just have the same problem.
Maybe time to try a different program.
What is the version of the program I was stupid enough to allow Avast to overwrite and I will try and download it from somewhere.
Not happy! >:(
Hi…
I would have no idea on that.
Best Regards…
Which firewall do you use?
Do you use any other spam tool besides Mailwasher?
Which is your operational system?
This sounds like a simple case of the firewall blocking ashMaiSv.exe after an update and the repair, uninstall wasn’t required.
What is your firewall ?
Does it allow ashMaiSv.exe internet access ?
MailWasher, since it uses the email ports and protocols will also be scanned by ashMaiSv.exe the Internet Mail provider, so that to is being effected by the firewall blocking ashMaiSv.exe.
MailWasher doesn’t download the complete email to do its analysis, it only downloads the headers, a small part of the body, it doesn’t download images or attachments and it views what is downloaded in text only. Based on this I personally don’t feel that any negligible risk worth scanning duplication, but the choice is yours.
By editing the avast4.ini file, [MailScanner] section using a text editor like notepad. It is best to save a copy of avast4.ini to another location in case of any problem, you can then copy the original back.
[MailScanner]
IgnoreProcess=MailWasher.exe add this line if you don’t already have an IgnoreProcess line.
Save the changes to avast4.ini and exit, the avast self-defence module will ask are you sure about the changes, etc. answer Yes.
Hi all…
I apologize if this is the case, I confess many of you know a lot more about how avast works than I do. 
Best Regards…
No need to apologise, that is what learning is about.
The key to this was after an update! now my email doesn’t work, it is common for firewalls to block changed processes after a program update (not just avast). This could just as easily have been after the update my browser doesn’t work or the avast update doesn’t work, all indications that the firewall could be blocking these changed processes.
What isn’t common is for the firewall just to block and not notify you of changes and ask permission again. It is nothing short of impolite (or down right arrogant) just to block a changed application as the user hasn’t got a clue what the problem is and blames the problem on the update.
I drop by these boards only at times but even when I have time to reply to some questions like today, I hesitate to do so, coming to think someone must have better answers.
I think you should contribute anyway (if you can, of course).
There will always be a better answer in life, better explanation, better shot… Trying is what counts imho.
Thank you so much, David! I never even considered this a possibility or an angle to approach from. We do learn something new every day, Praise the Lord!
I do wish the OP would post back so we can find a solution to his/her problem. ???
Best Regards…
Thank you for kind words, Tech (honestly!). However, it’s more like analysis…I became to think before posting that, for a certain topic, probably a certain forum member can answer better than I can, which often comes to be true. I’ll try when I can, though.