Thanks for the advice, will try changing the settings, but not surre how much difference it will make as instup.exe often runs after the computer has been switched on for some time and regardless of what I am doing at the time. It is especially annoying when I am online with others in games or networked, as it then monopolises system resources and 'freezes' whatever program I am using until it is finished. The other day I was networked with my father-in-law who is undergoing cancer treatments in America when instup.exe started running and locked up the network at my end. I couldn't use the webcam, type and send messages or anything. I also notice that everything loads much more slowly now, startup, opening browsers, loading programs, etc. I am begining to wonder if Avast! is becoming more of a hindrance than a help sometimes?
Unfortunately it seems to be difficult to get hold of RAM upgrades suitable for this older model of laptop, if it is even possible anymore. Nor did I need anymore RAM for anything I have used until now as everything I use are under my current specs. And it is only because of changes to Avast! that it is a problem even now. I would prefer to not have to buy a new laptop as I can't find anything new that is anywhere near as suitable for my arthritic hands which need larger keys, that doesn't involve add-ons and defeat the purpose of using laptop.