...To continue...
DavidR Are you referring to lukor, if so thanks for the heads up. However, I feel I should try to answer others as well.
Tech
"Check your Hosts file (or even replace it with HostsMan tool) and see if it's ok."
I have downloaded and installed this software. but am a little disconcerted regarding a warning within the program, from the guy who built it...
"!These hosts files are not maintained by 'abelhadigital.com. Remember to edit your exclusion list accordingly!"
Also I am concerned as to any knock on effect that might occur from using such a program. For even though I discribe myself as a 'Freeware Junkie' I am cautious and like to know what I am getting and maybe getting into? That said I would need guidance as to how to set it up. It talks about disabling hosts.
So before I take that route, can you tell me where I should look for my Host's File and how I would know if it is OK or not?
Now you say..."Can you ping files.avast.com ?" Possibly, if I have some idea what you were/are talking about. I'm not an idiot but then again I'm not a programmer either.
Hi lukor sorry to keep you waiting, especially in view of my recent discovery as to your position in all this. Anyhow I'm responding to your last posting...
As you've probably already read above I have now placed 'AvastSvc.exe' into the Ashampoo firewall Full Access file.
Also as I have said above, but will reiterate, my system is...
WinXP Home SP3
I haven't got HijackThis, but I will download it. Been there done that. Did a system scan, coudn't/can't see any reference to this...
'LSP network extensions' or 'Local Service Provider Net Ext' or anything like it, at least it doesn't jump out at me?
NON & Asyn
This was my intention yesterday. However, many other suggestion began popping up on the horizon and I felt I should give them a try first. The reason I don't want to uninstall Ashampoo Firewall, is because like all of these protection programs they have to learn the way you work. It takes time and a certain amount of patience from the user and this user doesn't have a lot of that. As it is I don't know how/why I have hung in here so long? It says a lot for Avast, that I feel I should give it my best shot.