Firefox, Chrome, Avast all crash and won't restart

[dbiconnect]

As it says above...after I had a FF crash, I restarted the computer (running Vista home) and neither FF nor Chrome browsers will start up at all. Avast (home edition) also wouldn't start. I've uninstalled Avast and Chrome; reinstalled FF twice. No luck. Anyone else encounter this?

[rockernault]

well  i´ve  had a lot of Chrome crashes   and avast!  is still  working

[karrronn]

I downloaded the Home edition today.  After downloading, I could not access the internet through either IE-7 or Firefox.  I eventually solved the problem by "terminating" the Web Shield provider.  The other six providers remain active. My concern is that by having to terminate the Web Shield provider, I am not getting any protection when I'm surfing the web. 

[lukor]

I downloaded the Home edition today.  After downloading, I could not access the internet through either IE-7 or Firefox.  I eventually solved the problem by "terminating" the Web Shield provider.  The other six providers remain active. My concern is that by having to terminate the Web Shield provider, I am not getting any protection when I'm surfing the web. 

do you use personal firewall? Have you configured it to allow Webshield's process (ashwebsv.exe) to connect to the Internet ?

[karrronn]

 

Lukor, I tried your suggestion since I had incorrectly applied DavidR's advice previously.  This time I removed the ashServ.exe program from ZoneAlarm.  Then I activated the Web Shield and successfully accessed the internet.  Interestingly, ZA did NOT prompt me for permission, but since I don't care if it does allow the service, I'm happy. 

Thanks again for your help.