I also forgot to ask: The Avast program wants to know if :
Do I want it to make changes to my computer- Yes or No??

try reading these from the Avast home page
Adobe Acrobat (PDF) Document
Adobe Acrobat (PDF) Document

Welcome Avast Home Edition - Free Antivirus users
click there for download once you click for download a new page opens in a few seconds a blue box will open with the install exe for you to save to your computer, some pop up blockers will prevent this box from showing be aware of that. If you do not see the box with the exe then try clicking on the option on that page to:
Your download will begin in a moment. If it doesn't, click here to try again

Save the exe to your pc then go there and double click to begin the install.

Alternative download option
Download

you can also try going to MajorGeeks and getting it from there.

just checking you did fully remove what ever antivirus came on that pc prior to installing Avast right? you would need to use the specific removal tool for that product.
Unsuccessful installs often are a result of incomplete removal of existing antivirus programs on the pc
Antivirus Product Removal Tools

Yes, I think I removed the Norton trial- when I do: start/control/add/remove programs, Norton isn't listed there anymore (it was there before I removed it).

Do I 'make changes', as Avast asks, or no?
Thanks for the site.

I tried the site you gave me- that doesn't allow it to download. I allowed cookies. I am not sure about 3rd party cookies- would that matter? At this point I am thinking I might have to do AVG until someone can help me get Avast on...
Why do they ask if you want Avast to make changed you your computer? I couldn't find an explanation.

If this helps, I use AVG on my HP netbook and love it. I know many like Avast but after trying it, I went back to AVG. I have Zone Alarm, AVG, Malwarebytes and Spywareblaster installed on the netbook and my other computers. They all work smoothly and don't slow anything down.

Jane

I am guessing you have a pop up blocker on that is blocking the download box from appearing if you clicked on those links I provided and still could not get it.

Yes any program you install will have to make changes to your computer how else would it install, it has to make changes to the registry and add itself into the system.

Just removing Norton from add remove is not sufficient you need to follow the directions I provided and the link to the removal tool for Norton. Norton is extremely intrusive and even using the removal tool will not get it all.

How are you getting the question for Avast to make changes if you are saying it did not even download? Tell us exactly what is happening when you go to the download links provided. Do you see a blue box appear with the .exe and the save dialog? If not what do you see what is happening?
Did the pdf for install instructions help?

Often times a yellow warning bar will appear below the menu at the top of the page for "active X" or somesuch and you have to click on that to let the install "save to" box to appear

You obviously have Vista or Windows 7 so you will see the pop up asking if you want a program to allow changes often. You need to agree each time. This is the computer making sure it is you who wants the changes and not some bad guy software making unwanted changes.

There might also be some orphan files left from your Norton removal still interfering. A START>Search using the keyword Norton and the another search using the keyword Symantec would reveal any leftovers to be removed.

If you are experienced you could also download and install CCleaner. It has a registry cleaning tool which I rarely recommend. This is a case when I do.

Run the tool and review the appearing report. Select anything which includes the above keywords and delete. Do not guess. If you don't know just leave the entry alone. When asked if you want to create a backup, do so first.

Don't get adventurous.

DA

Everybody- thanks for trying to get me going with Avast.
Yes, I used the removal tool raven-I think it worked.
I have UNblocked pop-ups but I kept getting the message that I will list at the bottom.
raven- when I click on the 'download free home', I click 'run'. It then goes to a small blue screen that says:

File Download Security Warning
Name: avast_home_setup.exe
Type: application 300KB
From: software-files.cnct.com

It has 'run' 'save' and I have tried each, with the same window returning.

I was afraid to have the computer unprotected, so downloaded AVG. It doesn't seem to have made it slow as it did the winxp.

I guess right now I will let it alone, although I would like to know why I failed.

I have another question, but will put it on a new post. TY

See link a few threads down for install problems Avast.

Here is a link that might be useful: Avast Forum

zep! I think it worked- I was doing something stupid- just as the article mentioned! I was trying to download the 'cnet', not the ;English' version that was down further on the page. I saved it and will take off AVG, then add it. I am just curious if I like Avast better or not.
Thanks for figuring out what I was doing wrong!

Those pages can be so confusing!!!!! It's a wonder anybody gets anything installed correctly. Although the direct download Raven gave you, that's the box that pops up and says "Save file" should have worked. You simply save the file to the desktop go back to the desktop double click it and run the "Setup" or "Install".