Can't get Version 5 to work

[ASoucy24]

I bought my netbook (OS = XP) with version 4.8 installed.  It was registered to the original owner.  When that subscription expired, I downloaded version 5, and registered it to me.  It wouldn't work.  The icon in system tray has an X next to it.  I uninstalled and reinstalled.  As soon as I rebooted after re-install, the X appeared. 

I have a license key from the first version-5 installation, but I have never been able to get to the place where it should be entered.

What's happening?

[=SKY=]

I uninstalled and reinstalled

Did you uninstall with the special uninstall-tool from avast?
When not, try this way (in this case I think it's better to do it in the "safe-mode")!

Good luck!

PS:
Welcome to the forum!

Regards
~SKY~

[DavidR]

Try this method:
- Download the latest version of avast, 5.0.545 http://files.avast.com/iavs5x/setup_av_free.exe and save it to your HDD, somewhere you can find it again (if you didn't save your last download). Use that when you reinstall.

- Download the avast! Uninstall Utility, aswClear5.exe find it here and save it to your HDD (it has uninstall tools for both 4.8 and 5.0).

• 1. Now uninstall (using add remove programs, if you can't do that start from the next step), reboot.
• 2. run the avast! Uninstall Utility from safe mode, first for 4.8 if previously installed and then for 5.0, once complete reboot into normal mode.
• 3. install the latest version, reboot.

[ASoucy24]

Thank you for the link to the Avast Uninstall program.  It did the trick, and Avast free version 5 is installed and working fine.

[DavidR]

No problem, glad I could help.

Welcome to the forums.