luv,
Since your error message is dealing with Update function, your computer although not fully protected, apparently is ok for now.
Do you show the A icon in the tray?
Right click on it and go to On Access Protection.
Check each of the 5 modules by clicking on the module icons that appear on the left side of the screen. Each should be running (if you do not use Microsoft Outlook/Express, then the Outlook module will not be running).
If the modules are running, then Avast is protecting the computer from viri, but maybe not all until updated.
Do you have Avast Home or Pro?
Have you given Avast access to the internet by setting Zone Alarm properly? Zone Alarm will normally detect and ask you for permissions regarding 3 Avast processes:
ashserv.exe
ashmaisv.exe
avast.setup
Give all 3 access.
Let me know how things go.
techie