Thanks for your response.
Unfortuantely, I have deleted these reports, but I could generate them again with avast.
From Start, Run, Msconfig (enter) Startup tab, I find a file wstats32.exe located at Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run.
When I uncheck the box (remove it from start-up), the error 384 message does not appear at log on. The computer is peppier, the mouse leaps from spot to spot.
A Google search gives details of Wstat32.exe aka Back/IRC.LoonbotA. Symantec has a securty response for wstat32.exe, but not for wstats32.exe.
Can anyone give me some advice on what to do next? Thanks for any help.