the key last about a year then you just have to do what you did and get a new key and insert it, it does get the virus definition updates automatically daily, it can be set in the settings to also auto update the program too other wise it will pop up saying there is one and she has to ok it, now with a big version update like the current one from 4.8 to 5 that has to be done manually by going to the site and downloading the new one and installing it just like it was done originally and a new key will have to be installed. However you do not have to rush and get version 5 because they will continue support for 4.8 for quite a while. to change the settings in it to have it get everything she can automatically go to the avast ball in the systray right click and select settings in teh avast settings box click on update(basic) on the left that will open your options in there you want to set both of those options to automatic, virus database and program then click ok. Now you do have to do a full scan manually but with avast that is not really as needed as other programs since it scans everything continually. But what I do is set the screen saver up in scan mode and leave my computer setting with the screen saver running and just let it scan, to do that go to the desktop and right click choose properties and go to the screen saver tab, look through the list of options and select avast then you can click on settings to select which screen saver to set for avast to use just pick a simple one so it won't use much resource (I use starfield i think) leave everything else as it is set, you can change how long to wait till the screen saver comes on if you want. click ok apply and now anytime the pc sits long enough for the screen saver to come on it will automatically begin doing a scan and will continue till done if un interrupted, if interrupted it will begin from where it left off the next time. there is a method to set up the windows task manager to run a scheduled scan also if you want those directions let me know I can link them

Jean I only use MS Essentials on my Win 7 machine. I have been clean since July with the beta version and October with the real stuff. When you get your new computer fired up you will see small icons near the clock. Clicking the up arrow will bring a small pop up where you will see the green bungalow shaped icon for MS Essentials, as long as it is green and has a check mark you are good to go.

Thanks for the replies. Yes, Raven I want to avoid using the Norton trial and get Avast on the new laptop before I go online. I re-downloaded Avast again, to a flashdrive using my XP machine. I was able to move it onto the Vista hard drive Downloads folder. But as before, it would not install. First window shows the default language - english. Next window - There was an error while completing the setup process. View setup log. I googled the main error line from the setup log, didn't find my exact problem, but found a few posts - all Avast related and also relating to various internet connections. So maybe once I get my wireless router hooked up tomorrow (cross fingers) this will install. I don't understand why that would matter, but what do I know! My XP computer is ATT DSL wired, which I am making wireless since I now have the laptop. That in itself is/will be a real learning experience. And I will definitely check out some of the tutorials. I think I will like Vista, just feeling a little inept at the moment.

abreeze has there been any other antivirus on that pc at all prior to your trying to install AVAST? did it come pre loaded with anything? It really sounds like it is having a conflict and that happens most often with remnants of a prior AV on the pc. AVIRA is a good product, it does have a nag screen but there is a way to stop that if you can do a little googling for it. You can always go to the AVAST user forums and tell them your problem they may know exactly what is causing it. http://forum.avast.com/index.php Here is a link that might be useful: avast forum