Restore impossible and firewall...

[La Poste]

Hi to you all, and particularly to Rick and Mark,
I had problems of restoring my laptop in safe mode only. Your suggestions
lead nowhere (not you fault). I therefore decide to do a clean new install
of Vista and the straight system restore became possible again.
Fine enough !
Then I installed the ZoneAlarm firewall which ended up in the same
impossibility to restore. I came back to the original nice Vista settings,
and tried to install the PCTools firewall. Then again restoring became
impossible.
Hence my question: am I the only idiot in the world (very likely so, if I
listen to my wife...) to experience this problem, or did I miss a step down
the stairs.
Thanks for you enlightenment

 

[Rick Rogers]

Hi,

I've seen numerous reports of Zone Alarm causing incompatibility issues with
Vista (not just SR, but issues with stop errors and failed boots), and
frankly it's not really needed. The included firewall is sufficient for the
majority of users. I'm not familiar with any specific issues regarding
PCTools, but again I don't see where one is gaining much by using it.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com

 

[Steve Campbell]

JL’s issue is interesting. The latest ZA Professional (ZAP) release is
faster and less buggy than previous Vista ready versions of ZA. However, I
do wonder about a couple of odd STOP errors caused since installing it.

The problem for me with the Windows firewall (which is very fast) is that
outgoing communications are not blocked by default. I couldn't see how I
could get it to 'ask' me for permission to allow internet and server
connections; something I can easily do with ZAP. I use AVG Pro, Spyware
Doctor and Windows Defender and scan daily but I would still like to be able
to control what leaves my PC.

A guide on how to use the windows firewall would be very useful. Can this
be set to block outgoing communications by default and ask permission?

Steve

Hi,

I've seen numerous reports of Zone Alarm causing incompatibility issues with
Vista (not just SR, but issues with stop errors and failed boots), and
frankly it's not really needed. The included firewall is sufficient for the
majority of users. I'm not familiar with any specific issues regarding
PCTools, but again I don't see where one is gaining much by using it.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com

 

[C.B.]

Hi to you all, and particularly to Rick and Mark,
I had problems of restoring my laptop in safe mode only. Your suggestions
lead nowhere (not you fault). I therefore decide to do a clean new install
of Vista and the straight system restore became possible again.
Fine enough !
Then I installed the ZoneAlarm firewall which ended up in the same
impossibility to restore. I came back to the original nice Vista settings,
and tried to install the PCTools firewall. Then again restoring became
impossible.
Hence my question: am I the only idiot in the world (very likely so, if I
listen to my wife...) to experience this problem, or did I miss a step
down the stairs.
Thanks for you enlightenment

La Poste,

Uninstall your ZoneAlarm firewall. It is not compatible with Vista. I
used it for many years with XP and was completely satisfied. However, it
will only cause problems with Vista. I base my opinion upon personal use of
the product.
I found the Comodo firewall to be a very good free product but I had to
completely uninstall it for Windows updates to be successfully installed.
Comodo has informed me on three occasions that their product has been
updated and the problem no longer exists but I have found this to be untrue.
The best solution I found was to just go with the native Windows
Firewall. I have found the protection to be more than adequate. If you wish
to use the advanced Windows Firewall you can click on the start orb and type
"windows firewall" without the quotation marks. You will be provided with
two entries to select from. Choose "Windows Firewall with Advanced Security"
and configure it according to your preferences.

C.B.

 

[C.B.]

JL’s issue is interesting. The latest ZA Professional (ZAP) release is
faster and less buggy than previous Vista ready versions of ZA. However,
I
do wonder about a couple of odd STOP errors caused since installing it.

The problem for me with the Windows firewall (which is very fast) is that
outgoing communications are not blocked by default. I couldn't see how I
could get it to 'ask' me for permission to allow internet and server
connections; something I can easily do with ZAP. I use AVG Pro, Spyware
Doctor and Windows Defender and scan daily but I would still like to be
able
to control what leaves my PC.

A guide on how to use the windows firewall would be very useful. Can this
be set to block outgoing communications by default and ask permission?

Steve

Hi,

I've seen numerous reports of Zone Alarm causing incompatibility issues
with
Vista (not just SR, but issues with stop errors and failed boots), and
frankly it's not really needed. The included firewall is sufficient for
the
majority of users. I'm not familiar with any specific issues regarding
PCTools, but again I don't see where one is gaining much by using it.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com

Steve,

Microsoft designed the advanced Windows Firewall for the IT
professional to use in a network environment, which is why there is no easy
way for the home user to configure outbound traffic.
Anyway, check out the links below if you have not already done so. I
think you'll find all the information you need in order to successfully
configure the outbound traffic to your own personal preferences.

http://technet2.microsoft.com/windo...c32b-4cbd-ae2a-8e77f2ced35c1033.mspx?mfr=true

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...1B-A92A-4075-9F69-C12B7C54B52B&displaylang=en

C.B.

 

[La Poste]

Thanks a million CB. Here again, one can figure out the abyss that separates
the highly skilled professionnal from the merely competent amateur...
JL

 

[C.B.]

La Poste,

Thank you for the comment. However, I am not a "highly skilled
professional" so the terminology does not apply to me. There are many other
contributors in these discussion groups who do in fact deserve the moniker.
I am here, in these discussion groups, for the same purpose as you. I am
here to glean the knowledge of those who possess it.
I have acquired my knowledge from others as well as by researching the
issues myself. By researching the issues yourself you not only gain
knowledge about the issue in question but also gain knowledge concerning
many side issues not related to the issue in question. One thing leads to
another, and then another and then another.
You will soon realize who knows what; whom to believe and whom not to
believe and whom to listen to and whom to ignore. It won't take long.
All your questions can be answered here in addition to solutions to
your problems. If you provide the necessary information about your system
and inquire in a polite manner you will find many knowledgeable people more
than willing to assist you.
You did not know how to walk when you were born. You're not expected to
know everything about Vista when you first encounter it. There is always a
learning curve involved with anything. Don't be afraid or ashamed to ask. If
someone should criticize you for asking a question or seeking help you don't
need them or their criticisms.

C.B.


--
It is the responsibility and duty of everyone to help the underprivileged
and unfortunate among us.

Thanks a million CB. Here again, one can figure out the abyss that
separates the highly skilled professionnal from the merely competent
amateur...
JL