Hi and welcome to Avast Forum Welshchick
Try one of these following options:
1) Try "Repair" to avast via Add/remove
2) If above didn't work, uninstall avast via add/remove (it will ask you to restart), download this tool called avast uninstall utility from here
http://www.avast.com/en-nz/uninstall-utility and run it in safe mode (follow the instructions). Download this tool and run it in normal mode tool is called Avast Cleanup Tool from here
http://rejzor.wordpress.com/avast-cleanup-tool/ and do a manual restart of your computer/laptop.
3) Re-install a fresh new copy of avast free edition and after it has installed do another manual restart of your computer. After restarting, register your new copy of avast.
The new Avast 2014 version 2014.9.0.2008 has a very new look and far more better protection. Getting used to GUI will take time, just gotta know where to find what and where