High demand on a server won't "fry" it, but it can make connecting to it or getting anything out of it take a very long time. This is not the case here. As soon as I click on the Avast icon, it starts downloading the update instantly. Actually, this is not a major problem. Although I don't pay frequent attention to my systray unless something isn't working, I eventually notice the yellow triangle over the Avast icon and start the update. The issue is Avast's assertion that PROGRAM updates are "automatic" (virus pattern files are automatic). I interpret "automatic" to mean like Windows updates, which I also have set to automatic, and they happen without me even knowing they've been downloaded until I see the Windows update shield on the "Shut down" button.
