Windows Explorer Hangs and crashes

[Laika]

I have XP and ever since I installed Avast I can't open any word or exell docs from Explorer. I notice on right click that Avast has tagged on to Explorer and this is the only recent program that I have installed. I can only open docs from the program itself. Anyone got any ideas why? I have not uninstalled Avast to test it yet. I have used C Cleaner.

[YoKenny]

Welcome Laika

What are your system specifications as to CPU type and speed and RAM amount?

[Laika]

XP SP3
AMD Athlon 64 3000+
It says 521mb ram but it should be 1gb. Maybe some of my ram has failed?

[Lisandro]

Test your RAM http://www.memtest86.com/download.html

[Laika]

Thanks for the help. It's in DOS. Not good on dos commands:

Enter Disk Image source file name:_

Have I downloaded the correct program? Rawrite.exe

[Laika]

It's definitely Avast. I have uninstalled it and I can launch things from Eaplorer and I can open links from my email program all of which I can't do when Avast is on. I have checked the ram and I have 1gb.

I like Avast but if it does that I will have to think again. Anyone got any suggestions maybe on settings for Avast if I put it back on?

[Lisandro]

Any other security program installed? Antivirus, firewall?

[Laika]

Only Windows firewall. Nothing else.

[cod head]

What A.V. did you use before Avast.Did you use the appropriate A.V.removal tool or remove it with add remove programmes.If you did not remove a previous A.V.with their removal tool remnants could be left behind that conflict with Avast and cause problems.

[Laika]

I had Norton on and I used it's Windows add  & Remove. Could there be some bits left. I used C Cleaner after to clean up the registery.

[cod head]

Yes it is very likely that there are remnants of Norton on your computer and it sounds like you need to run their uninstaller tool.Fortunately YoKenny recently posted a link to most Known A.V.removal tools.There is a info tab on Norton and a link to the removal tool.You can find it here.    http://uninstallers.blogspot.com/

[YoKenny]

Yes it is very likely that there are remnants of Norton on your computer and it sounds like you need to run their uninstaller tool.Fortunately YoKenny recently posted a link to most Known A.V.removal tools.There is a info tab on Norton and a link to the removal tool.You can find it here.    http://uninstallers.blogspot.com/

Norton is notoriously hard to get rid of all its leftovers:
http://www.symantec.com/norton/support/kb/web_view.jsp?wv_type=public_web&ssfromlink=true&sprt_cid=1a13409b-29db-4397-a286-9dec49f8e252&seg=hho&ct=us&lg=en&docurl=20080828154508EN

Its best to re-install avast! after Norton removal.

[Laika]

That sorted it. Thanks all.

[Lisandro]

That sorted it. Thanks all.

What sorted it out?

[cod head]

Norton Removal Tool.