I quite do not see what could be the issue... Just bypass step 5 (do not reactivate avast), and try to run dRonin. If it works while avast is deactivated and the does not work once activated again, the only thing I can think about is that you did not properly whitlesit the folder.
Have you tried the EICAR test on the whitelisted folder? Just create a text file, copy past the following 68 characters:
X5O!P%@AP[4\PZX54(P)7CC)7}$EICAR-STANDARD-ANTIVIRUS-TEST-FILE!$
H+H*
Eventually you can rename the file "EICAR.exe" (if you use notepad do not forget to add " in the filename, as otherwise notepad will rename it EICAR.exe.txt). On any monitored folder, the antivirus should cry wolf. Then do the same on the folder you whitelisted?