Cannot connect to server error.

[Lisandro]

I have ZoneAlarm

This is your firewall only...

Into the firewall settings, the following programs should be allowed to connect:

C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashWebSv.exe (avast! Web Scanner)
C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashMaiSv.exe (avast! e-Mail Scanner Service)
C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\Setup\avast.setup (avast! Update executable). This is a temporary file that just appears when an update (check) is about to launch, and disappears again afterwards.

Don't need rights to connect:
C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashServ.exe (avast! antivirus service)
C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\aswUpdSv.exe (avast! Update Service)

[CrescentRoses]

.....oh. It was the program control in ZoneAlarm that would not let Avast update. ......

I am simply aghast at my stupidity in not realizing so obvious a solution. Please excuse my lack of common sense and thank you very much for your time and effort.

[alanrf]

I am glad that clearing the "firewall" issue finally brought you having avast working well again.