In the setup log posted above by buttoni it is very clear that the ashdisp.exe program is installed on the system and the registry entry to start it is created. It is also clear that something has removed it since it cannot be found in the next avast log section.
I have to guess (and that is all it is at the moment) is that some element of protection in the systems having the problem is considering ashdisp.exe an unacceptable startup program and removing it.
BINGO, Alanrf. I think you just may have hit on my problem. I have been running SpywareDoctor 4.0 a few months now. It has a StartupGuard feature. Though the screenshot attached clearly shows it will remove offenders, I thought it would
warn me before deleting!!!
Apparently not!!! I confess didn't know it removed "silently". I though turning off SpywareDoc during my Avast prgm update was all I needed to do.
Wrong. SWDr deleted multiple fiiles/registry entries after my reboot. Wonder why it sees these files as "harmful"? It did nothing when I installed Comodo a week or so ago? Now I see why those other Avast files never asked for internet access with Comodo.....They weren't THERE!!
I'm gonna run with your theory and try a full uninstall of the older version 4.7.871 using aswclear.exe (as this is my only means now to do so). I'll once again do the "Search and Destroy" mission on remaining files/RegKeys. I'll
PERMANENTLY turn of SWDr StartUp Guard (don't
ever want to deal with this again!). I'll reboot and then try a fresh install from Alwil Avast website. and see what happens. Can't be any worse off than I am right now, right?
Interesting note: The Results tab view on this SWDr feature had no entries. Hmmmmm.........Curious. I expected to see several Avast entries there.
@ Spiritsongs: Sorry I misunderstood about your firewall. Let me try Alanrf's theory out first, since it is more likely the culprit. ATT DSL tech told me on the phone once that IE6 does "all the driving" in their browser and all they did was put their & Yahoo's "branding" on the screens. I think Alanrf has really hit on the solution. Will post back results of my on-going "adventure?" ASAP