Can I just add that after doing a thorough scan of my hard drive I also received message like unable to scan as password protected, the thing is tho these files were for AdAware.
avast can't scan files that are password protected, it doesn't know the password.
There are many legitimate reasons why a file was password protected. For instance, the ones you're talking about. Lavasoft stores its data in a password-protected ZIP archives (to prevent other similar tools from messing up with them). It's really nothing to worry about - it's normal.
In AdAware and S&D, when you fix/remove things it keeps backup/recovery information so you can restore anything that was mistakenly fixed/removed, etc. After a reasonable time your system has suffered no adverse effects, you can get rid of the older recovery/backup points.
This should reduce the number of protected files.
There were also messages saying that some cab files are corrupted, therefore unable to scan.
These are just files that avast can't unpack for any reason. They're inert, won't harm. Don't worry. Could be avast fault, could be a problem with the package itself.
I see. Is there a way to disable those notifications?
Program settings > Report > leave only infected files checked.
That can't be it. I haven't synchronized this computer with any other computer and it's always been running Vista. The folders just flat out don't seem to exist or at least aren't visible.
Vista uses circular links to %Program Files% and %Users% folders.
Avast is just reporting it. You can uncheck the options for reporting
soft and
hard errors on the avast settings.
It
was a problem, already solved (
http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=27330.msg223192#msg223192). Now, the only thing that rests is the reporting.