Well that is one option, personally I would revert to the default settings of both the options unchecked as if it is anything like the setting for dial-up failing to auto update as I found and many others, that could well be the cause.
Thanks David,
I am going to go ahead and uncheck it than. I just checked and it said 5 minutes ago that it tried to update, but still get the unsuccessful pop-up message. It is 1:30 am in the States (CST) If I don't get an auto notice by say, Wednesday, I may need to reinstall Avast 5.
I just think there is something wrong with the servers, because there are many people on the forums with the same fail to update issue and most of them started about three days ago, same as me.
Jack