The problem with my outgoing e-mail turned out to be changes in the smtp server settings required by the ISP. That problem is solved, and my attempt at an update just now got the same "server down" response.
My log file looks similar to the post from BJ, but here is a copy, in case it helps.
07.01.2004 11:00:38 general: Started: 07.01.2004, 11:00:38
07.01.2004 11:00:38 general: Running setup_av_pro-121 (289)
07.01.2004 11:00:38 system: Operating system: WindowsXP ver 5.1, build 2600, sp 1.0 [Service Pack 1]
07.01.2004 11:00:38 system: Computer WinName: DELPHI
07.01.2004 11:00:38 system: Windows Net User: SYSTEM
07.01.2004 11:00:38 general: Cmdline: /downloadpkgs /noreboot /silent /progress
07.01.2004 11:00:38 general: DldSrc set to inet
07.01.2004 11:00:38 general: Operation set to INST_OP_UPDATE_GET_PACKAGES
07.01.2004 11:00:38 general: Old version: 118 (280)
07.01.2004 11:00:38 general: SGW32P::CheckIfInstalled set m_bAlreadyInstalled to 1
07.01.2004 11:00:38 system: Computer DnsName: Delphi
07.01.2004 11:00:38 system: Computer Ip Addr: {removed--good idea BJ!)
07.01.2004 11:00:38 internet: SYNCER: Type: -1
07.01.2004 11:00:38 internet: SYNCER: Auth: 0
07.01.2004 11:00:38 package: Part prg_av_pro-121 is installed
07.01.2004 11:00:38 package: Part vps-31203 is installed
07.01.2004 11:00:38 package: Part news-29 is installed
07.01.2004 11:00:38 package: Part setup_av_pro-121 is installed
07.01.2004 11:00:38 general: Old version: 118 (280)
07.01.2004 11:00:38 file: SetExistingFilesBitmap: 182->110->79
07.01.2004 11:00:38 general: GUID: 1b12af62-50eb-497d-ac24-bd6c9894b61c
07.01.2004 11:00:38 general: Server definition(s) loaded for 'mirror': 0 (maint:0)
07.01.2004 11:00:38 general: Server definition(s) loaded for 'main': 5 (maint:0)
07.01.2004 11:00:38 general: SelectCurrent: selected server 'Main AVAST server' from 'main'
07.01.2004 11:00:38 general: Entered SetupProcessPro::Do( INST_OP_UPDATE_GET_PACKAGES )
07.01.2004 11:00:39 general: Entered SetupProcessWin32::Do( INST_OP_UPDATE_GET_PACKAGES )
07.01.2004 11:00:39 general: Entered SetupProcess::Do( INST_OP_UPDATE_GET_PACKAGES )
07.01.2004 11:00:39 general: progress thread start
07.01.2004 11:00:39 general: progress start - 1
07.01.2004 11:00:39 general: progress start - 2
07.01.2004 11:00:40 package: ERROR:HttpGetWinsock, WinsockTcpConnect() returned 0x0000274D
07.01.2004 11:00:40 package: ERROR:HttpGetWinsock, WinsockTcpConnect() returned 0x0000274D
07.01.2004 11:00:40 package: Tried to download servers.def but failed with error 20000004
07.01.2004 11:00:40 general: progress end - 1
07.01.2004 11:00:40 general: progress end - 0
07.01.2004 11:00:40 general: progress thread end
07.01.2004 11:00:40 general: Err:Server download1.avast.com (66.98.166.72:80) is down.
07.01.2004 11:00:40 general: errordlg: 375,187
It also suggests that it's not just
www.aws.cz since this attempt went to download1.avast.com.