internet connection firewall

[Mark Wilmes]

Microsoft MVP,

I have installed AOL v 8.0 on my XP PRO computer which
automatically creates a dial up ICON to connect to AOL
using my internal modem. The problem is that the ICON
status always shows disconnected (even when I am connected
to the internet)and I am not able to turn the firewall
feature on. When I right click on the ICON to access the
properties window, it does not work. Nothing happens.
Thus, I can not get to the advanced tab to turn on the
windows XP firewall? I tried to reinstall AOL v8.0 but
this did not help. I tried to add a new connection
manually, but this did not work either. Any ideas how to
fix this or is this some bug with AOL8.0? And a side
question. What exactly does the windows xp firewall
block? And what does the windows XP firewall do when it
is enabled for a LAN connection?

Thanks

Mark

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

Microsoft MVP,

I have installed AOL v 8.0 on my XP PRO computer which
automatically creates a dial up ICON to connect to AOL
using my internal modem. The problem is that the ICON
status always shows disconnected (even when I am connected
to the internet)and I am not able to turn the firewall
feature on. When I right click on the ICON to access the
properties window, it does not work. Nothing happens.
Thus, I can not get to the advanced tab to turn on the
windows XP firewall? I tried to reinstall AOL v8.0 but
this did not help. I tried to add a new connection
manually, but this did not work either. Any ideas how to
fix this or is this some bug with AOL8.0? And a side
question. What exactly does the windows xp firewall
block? And what does the windows XP firewall do when it
is enabled for a LAN connection?

Thanks

Mark

That's how AOL designed their software: it doesn't allow access to the
Advanced tab. You'll have to contact AOL support for details and to
find out whether it's possible, or necessary, to firewall their
connection.

On a normal dial-upor LAN connection, XP's firewall blocks all
un-solicited incoming traffic from the Internet. It only allows
information that you've specifically requested to get through.
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

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