Avast! Free Has Messsed Up My Computer

[REDACTED]

Thanks ever so much for these instructions, and for looking over the stuff I sent you. 

 I am really nervous about doing all of this but will try. Always I am afraid of messing up the computer beyond my control.   I hope I can do all of this, lol.   

 I'll let you know the outcome.   And again, thanks ever so much for all your help!

  Steve

[essexboy]

You do need SP3 though as your system is full of security holes at the moment

[REDACTED]

Okay, thanks.  I am trying to download it as I type, but have run into a snag.

 When I click on the link you posted, to take me to Microsoft to download SP3, I am taken to the page(attachment) that tells me I need IE 5 or higher.  I have IE 6, but since Microsoft no longer does updates for 6, I cannot use IE to download the SP3.   

[REDACTED]

You do need SP3 though as your system is full of security holes at the moment

 This is the other page that came up.  I clicked on the option that says "recommended" which took me to the page I just sent moments ago. I didn't know what to do out of fear of doing the wrong thing.

[essexboy]

OK give me half an hour and I should have it on my dropbox for you....  So hold off 'till then

Or you can click the radio button that says proceed with this download

[REDACTED]

Okay, I'll try the radio button. When I clicked on "Proceed with download" it took me to this page(attachment) and the top option is about IE 8, the bottom is a tool that checks my PC for infections and such. I didn't want to proceed beyond this point w/o checking with you first.

[essexboy]

On the right should be a no thanks button press that

[REDACTED]

 Ok.   

 One thing...I am using XP, 32 bit, and IE will not allow me to download 7 or higher because of this. Is this going to be a problem? 

[essexboy]

Have you managed to download it ? As dropbox has blocked me from uploading it

[REDACTED]

It is downloading as we speak. Still has 11 minutes to go.  Can you look up at my previous message to you moments ago? 

[essexboy]

IE 8 is the highest you can go http://windows.microsoft.com/en-GB/internet-explorer/products/ie-8/system-requirements

[DavidR]

IE 8 is the highest you can go http://windows.microsoft.com/en-GB/internet-explorer/products/ie-8/system-requirements

Confirmed IE8 is the highest available for winXP SP2/SP3, though I don't use it.

[REDACTED]

 I discovered that in order to download 7 or higher, I would have to have 64 bit instead of 32 bit XP. I don't use IE either. I use Firefox or DuckDuckGo.

[essexboy]

IE is integral to windows..  On the page I linked there is a download link on the top right

[DavidR]

I discovered that in order to download 7 or higher, I would have to have 64 bit instead of 32 bit XP. I don't use IE either. I use Firefox or DuckDuckGo.

My version of IE 8 on my XP Pro SP3 is 32bit.