Like a number of others here, I too, have been unable to get Avast 8 working on my Windows XP Pro system.
I don't have ZoneAlarm or other firewall installed; I am using the default MS Windows firewall.
I have used ZoneAlarm since version 4.2, and prefer not to switch to a different product, as I have always had outstanding success with this.
My system has an Nvidia graphics interface, not ATI, but since its a laptop with this built in, its not going to change.
I don't have Microsoft Security Essentials or other software installed, other than the MS Windows firewall. Are there any settings on this firewall that might be an issue?
I initially got Version 8 by accepting the popup offer. I have also uninstalled it, reinstalled it, including using aswclear, to remove all Avast directories under Program Files.
I can install it and have it working, but the very next time that I reboot, it goes back to tellling me that all shields are disabled. Allthough I have tried a number of things mentioned in this forum, I remain unable to get Version 8 working. It appears that my best bet would be to uninstall, and go back to version 7, which was working perfectly before the update, and wait, hoping that a future update of version 8 will resolve this problem.
I need to tell others to whom I have recommended Avast!, and are using Avast 7 under XP NOT to accept the update offer until this issue is resolved.