I'm sorry, but this makes me so mad...
Just take a deep breath.
Well, I don't need a deep breath, it would be just nice to give us a feedback regarding your problem sometimes. I spent a lot of time in these forums, and sometimes I need deep breath, but not now... I've learned to live like this by now. I have rights to say what bothers me... You came here with question, and we are trying to help you... and not just you, there is more than 8100 registered users in here. So, think about that. They all need our help from time to time. Sometimes, we need help ourselves, but when we get some help, we give our feedback - is the problem solved or not...
Updating my firewall is not an option because I can't register my free version (PC magazine CD) and have to pay for a new version.
That's OK, but you could say that after pk offered you advice to update it to 1.4
The new version is still beta and I've always learned not to update to a beta if there are no problems (left!).
(if it aint broken don't fix it)
Well, you came with problems, and new beta offered fixes for some issues. Anyway, there is no go back to 4.5.523, that's for sure. It was final, but still full o issues... Alwil had to take some steps to fix them, and they did it with beta. They are still waiting for people's feedback to see is everything works properly... if there are still some issues, of course that's why beta versions are, they will fix them too. But, at least, there is a chance to fix your existing problems that you mentioned.
I hope that when this version is official it will be offered as a program-update for 4.5.523 (not every user is looking in forums for updates).
It will be offered, but as I said, not as update for some previous version. It doesn't work that way. It will be offered as new version, not even as 4.5.529 any more. If 529 has issues, it has to be number higher than that... logically. You said, not every uses is looking in forums for updates... well, they should. These forums are free, 24/7 technical support is free. Alwil offers e-mail as well as phone support for free. What can one want more than this ? This is like heaven for every user. They can get any help in here if they want. We have all kind of experts in many areas... Of course, users have to push harder little bit and to give a try surfing for answers. Not everything can be served without some effort put in trying
. If I need firmware for my CD-ROM, I'll go and look at their web site or forums, if I need to know more about some program updates for my Sygate firewall, I'll go and visit their forums for answers... same thing with avast! Why not use this great offer ?
Btw, I'm glad you said you fixed your problem. That's our goal in here. We want people to be happy and, feel more secure and believe in these guys and girls, of course in avast! too.
Cheers !