[TECK]

do this:
01. replace the code with this:

PHP Code:

// avatar code
if ($bbuserinfo[userid]!=0) {
  $avatarurl=getavatarurl($bbuserinfo[userid]);
  if ($avatarurl=='') {
    $avatarurl='{ imagesfolder }/noavatar.gif';
  }
  eval("\$avatarimage = \"".gettemplate('forumhome_avatar')."\";");
} else {
  eval("\$avatarimage = \"".gettemplate('forumhome_guestavatar')."\";");
} 


02. upload the 2 images (noavatar.gif and guestavatar.gif) into your { imagesfolder } dir.

03. run tplavhm.php (made specially for you ) in /root/forum/admin. it will install the 2 templates. your problem is solved.

NOTE: Firefly, maybe you should include this mod into your hack. it works better and it will not conflict with any script mod in index.php.... let me know what you think.