Beth wasn't you follow another thread about the same problem?
I hope Igor take a look here... seems a problem with Windows 98 that we, users, can't help anymore...
Yes, it was a problem with Windows 98. It did help, though, to be told that an improper shutdown will prevent the Registry from saving information.
So I copied and pasted the new registration key again, then immediately tried to shut down. It did do a proper shutdown. (Seems that the problem is that all programs I did have open, then closed, did not close completely, even though I checked the task list.)
A few minutes after this proper shutdown, I turned the computer on again and checked Avast "About." Sure enough, this time the new registration key was saved, and it says I'm good until April 1, 2008.
When I have money, after a dentist appointment, I'll be able to pay for a new computer. Thanks for the help.
Beth