I think at the time I had some infected files in the chest and others not.
Look, Chest has its categories: infected files, system files (just backup), etc.
Are all that files in the same category? Which one?
As for "understanding" you have to restore files from the chest in order to use tools like Spybot, Ad-Aware, CWShredder etc., I am sorry to say this apparently incorrect information comes from an avast! technician whom I e-mailed for help.
Are you sure...? This answer seems very strange.
I won't say it's wrong but very strange (at least I need more information to judge).
I, on contrary, will say that you won't need to restore any file from chest to proper use spyware tools... (unless, the file is a part of that programs and a false positive, so you send an 'incorrect' file to Chest).
Here are the files I have in the virus chest:
Name: 2[1].htm
Path: C:\Documents and Settings\Kenneth\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\2Y4HGS2T\2[1].htm
Virus: VBS:Malware[Script]
Delete your temporary files:
To do this go to Internet explorer >Tools > Internet options > Delete files > Click delete all offline content (just to be sure) > click ok.
It might take some time to delete them.
Name: btest4.scr Path: C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\btest4.scr
Virus: Win32: Trojan-gen. {Other}
Just delete it and clean your recycle bin.
If you can't do it, send to Chest or even run a boot time scanning.
Name: FireDLL.dll Path: C:\Program Files\AmericaOnline9.0\download
Virus: Win32: Trojan-gen. {Other}
Name: FireDLL.dll Path: C:\Program Files\AmericaOnline9.0\download\FireDLL.dll
Virus: Win32:Trojan-gen. {Other}
Name: FireDLL.dll Path: C:\Program Files\AmericaOnline9.0\download\FireDLL.dll\FireDLL.dll
Virus: Win32:Trojan-gen. {Other}
I'm not that good on AOL but seems that these files are not safe too...
Disable (and enable it after) System Restore
Start > Control Panel > System > System restore > Disable
Click Apply
Enable it again
Click Ok
Are you using Windows XP?
Can you schedule a boot-time scanning?
Start avast! > Right click the skin > Schedule a boot-time scanning
Select for scanning archives.
Boot.