Ad-aware not updating as it use to ...

I have been using Ad-aware for many years. Last year I downloaded the latest version "Ad-Aware 2008 (7.1.0.12)". I still received regular updates whenever I would go for them myself. They were not automatic. I am using the "free" version.

Then this year, each time I pulled up the program to check for updates and do the regular "smart scan", I started getting this extra window that covers the middle of the program and cannot be moved. It states "FREE Update to Ad-Aware Anniversary Edition .. Update to Ad-Aware Anniversary Edition today to boost your security with our powered up detection technology, including heuristics scans, integrated Ad-Watch Live! real-time protection, and detection of over 2 million cyber threats. Not to mention, you'll get the ultimate in resource efficiency. And the best thing...updates are FREE!" On this are 2 buttons "download now" and "update later". As stated, I cannot move this message off the middle of the program; however, showing under this message is a small piece of a button that is my regular "update" button. I can click it if I am careful and then click the "update later" button and, by doing this, the intruding page disappears and the update starts.... or at least it had been starting and completing.

Today is different as I continuously get the message the server is not connected to the internet. Now I have disconnected and reconnected my server several times; still getting the same message about the Ad-aware update....even though I am now on the internet posting on this forum, still I have just now received the very same message about updating that Ad-aware program.

I went over to Lavasoft to check it all out; but all I see over there is "free trypay". I am wondering if Lavasoft has taken away the free program and is now only offering the try it and pay if you like it program. If so, that may be why I am no longer getting updates on the free program I have been using all these years. Since I am using the free ad-aware program, I cannot post on their forums and my requests for information go unanswered.

Does anyone know what is occurring? Does Ad-aware no longer offer the free version? I sure did like it and would like to keep it if possible.