Save a copy of newest version of Avast.
Save the http://www.avast.com/uninstall-utility on your hard drive.
Disconnect from the Internet at this time.
Uninstall Avast through "Add/Remove Programs".
Boot into Safe Mode and run the Avast Uninstall Tool.
Reboot twice.
Although I didn't go into a lot of detail, I had already performed those steps per my original post:
"Based on some of the other threads in the forum, I downloaded the Avast uninstaller (version 5) and ran that in Windows Safe Mode. Then I re-installed 5.0.545.100524 and the shields still wouldn't activate... I also restarted Windows twice since re-installing the program."
""Based on some of the other threads in the forum..." was where I picked up a detailed description of the steps you mentioned.
Unfortunately, the repair method suggested by Pondus didn't work either.
Since my first post I found another thread dealing with shields that won't activate and the "unsecured" state that can't be fixed. Note the response by ToM, a member of the Avast team on page 2 of the thread:
"Hi,
we found that avast! has a collision with system restore that can lead to Unsecured stage, notice invalid license file even the license file is correct or another various issues. We will try to fix it for next public beta or release.
we are sorry for inconvenience."
A link to that thread is here:
http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=60435.15Note that I have another PC running the previous version of Avast. I tried to update that one and ran into the same problem - shields that won't activate, leaving my system in an "unsecured" state.
So it seems there is something wrong with the 5.0.545.100524 upgrade and a fix is still in the works.
I'll keep my eyes open for the fix.
Have a good one,
Big Al Mintaka