Two days ago, I upgraded my Windows7 netbook from Avast 4.8 to Avast 5. After doing so, I was unable to access the Internet. I turned off Outpost Firewall Pro (version 6.7.1), and the problem went away. There had been no such problem using Outpost with Avast 4.8. I used a restore point to go back to 4.8, but that didn't work. Today, I reinstalled Avast 5, and after doing so I was again unable to access the Internet. In addition, I was told in the system tray that Real Time Shields was off. I tried to click on "Fix Now" or on "Turn on." Neither produced any result. I then went into settings and was told that Real Time Shields was running. But the system tray continued to report that Real Time Shields was off.
I turned off Outpost, turned on Windows Firewall, and went to try to report these problems on this forum, but my typing was suddenly excruciatingly slow to appear on the screen. I then uninstalled Avast and installed Microsoft Security Essentials instead. The typing problem disappeared.
I'm now using Microsoft Security Essentials with Outpost Firewall Pro. I'd really much prefer to use Avast rather than Microsoft Security Essentials, but at the moment it's giving me too many problems. I'm supposed to be on vacation--the last thing I want to do on my vacation is deal with computer problems.
But I'd really like to find a solution to the problems I've been having and would welcome knowledgeable advice.
Thanks in advance.