I did a system restore to an earlier date and if I still have trouble I will take it to the shop.
This means that the uninstall/install you just did reverted back to a previous non-working state.
Did you get a chance to check for malware with MBAM (update first)?
The reason we are asking for a mini-dump file is to see if there is a problem with Avast. In reading your post, I can see that all of this seems overwhelming to you.
See if these instructions are a little easier...
When asked to create a memory dump (usually because of hanged avast! program), please follow these instructions:
1. Open regedit (go to Start > Run > type in regedit), go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\i8042prt\Parameters and add a new DWORD value called "CrashOnCtrlScroll" (no quotation marks). Make its value 1 (one).
2. Go to Control Panel -> System -> Advanced -> Startup and Recovery settings, and make sure the machine is set to generate
COMPLETE memory dump (in the Write Debugging Information section).
3. Reboot the machine.
4. When the computer restarts wait for the problem to occur.
5. When the problem is simulated (i.e. the machine is "dead, Avast doesn't work"), do the following: while holding down the _right_ CTRL key, press the SCROLL-LOCK key twice. This should cause the machine to "blue-screen", and start generating the dump.
6. If the machine doesn't restart on its own (when the dump writing is complete), restart it.
7. ZIP the file \windows\memory.dmp (try to name it uniquely) and upload it to the following ftp site:
ftp.avast.com/incoming (note you don't have read access to the site, only write).
This is a knowledge based article
http://support.avast.com/index.php?_m=knowledgebase&_a=viewarticle&kbarticleid=71 should you/shop need it to send it to Avast so that the problem can be analyzed and fixed.
Sometimes these problems occur because of remnants left over from prior security software or current ones, a bad install, or malware, just to name a few. But it will get fixed.