Comments:

2. 

   • Athlonite on Tue 02 Jun 2009
   • 11:06:17 AM UTC

   Hey Paul !!

   You most likely have conflict with another program on your PC. If i'm not mistaken , you have a Vista OS , right ? If my assumption is correct and you have Version 5 of PC Tool Firewall Plus , I would suggest that you Uninstall that version and install the 4.0.0.45 from here :
   http://download.cnet.com/PC-Tools-Firewall-Plus-Fr...
   I have reports that , version 5 has some issues with either Vista or other programs in Vista. I have been running version 4.0.0.45 for the last year with absolutely no issues.

   If you are to replace your version 5 with 4 , make Absolutely sure that first, the Vista Firewall is NOT in service. (turned off) . It should be off with any version anyway.
   Second , you Have to Disconnect from the internet while you uninstall and re-install. So download and disconnect then, replace.

   You just have to go to the "Performance and Features" in the Control Panel and Uninstall from there. I have uninstalled this same way before and it is a clean uninstall.

   You could also just uninstall the current version you are running and do a re-install with a fresh copy : http://www.pctools.com/firewall/ ,
   to see if that solves your problem. if it doesn't then follow the steps I have mentioned.
   One more question , which i should've asked before, your copy of Vista is not a 64bit OS is it ? And it is a legal copy right? Sorry , I have to ask.

   In any case, make sure to disconnect from the internet.

   Athlonite.

   Your help is always needed.

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3. 

   • YoKenny on Tue 02 Jun 2009
   • 11:24:45 AM UTC

   Paul's problems

   With all the problems it seems you are having with that system I would make it as simple as possible.

   Un-install PC Tools firewall.

   If you must have a firewall on Vista then Vista Firewall Control from SphinxSoftware works OK but I choose not to use a firewall as I have a firewall in my ISP provided modem that works great.

   Vista firewall does not interfere with Vista Firewall Control and should be left on and if you want a discussion about this then it has been discussed on avast! forum quite extensively and I can find the topic if you like.

   Didn't this discussion occur a while back when you were having problems with a software firewall.

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4. 

   • paul g on Tue 02 Jun 2009
   • 11:49:30 AM UTC

   Thanks.

   Hi, Athlonite , YoKenny..1st thankyou both for your quick reply's.Yes this is vista sp1 32bit home premium quad core(intel) Firewall is version 5.0.0.38,what i had before was virgin pc guared total which messed this pc up in the first place,That is why i asked for a compatable firewall and colin suggested pc tools free. as it worked fine with vista,I have not installed any new programs only updates and this has only just happened?? i have run a smart update today and all seems well im sure you both will understand my concern about installing new programs due to the weakness of this system. i will cut and paste your reply's to my docs folder and if it happens again i will follow your instuctions.....

   Thankyou both for your time very much.......cheers........p..........

   If You Dont Ask You Will Never Know..

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5. 

   • Anonymous on Tue 02 Jun 2009
   • 02:04:27 PM UTC

   Hi paul g

   I am using Vista firewall Control from sphinx software and like it has it blocks outbound traffic.

   Athlonite is good on computer related problems and has helped many a lost soul on this Forum.So you can bet he is right if he is saying version 5 has problems with vista.If it happens again either Athlonites version of what he recommended or YoKennys Vista Firewall Control option both sound good viable alternatives.(G.O.M.with Honours).

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6. 

   • paul g on Tue 02 Jun 2009
   • 06:18:27 PM UTC

   sphinx software

   Hi,cod head.Thanks for your reply i agree with what you say. If it sarts playing up i might try sphinx software as long as its not to complex for me.So far so good.

   Thanks.......cheers.........p.........

   If You Dont Ask You Will Never Know..

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7. 

   • Anonymous on Tue 02 Jun 2009
   • 06:53:22 PM UTC

   Sphinx Software

   It is a very easy firewall to use paul.Every time it notices a new programme it will ask you to allow it or not.Does not use a lot of resources either.Once you have permitted the programmes you want you will hardly notice it.(G.O.M.with Honours).

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• 

  • paul g on Wed 03 Jun 2009
  • 12:11:18 PM UTC

  Sphinx Software..

  Hi, cod head,and Steven Avery..First thankyou Steven Avery for your time and suggestions i wil keep them in mind..Hi,cod head if this firewall dose start playing up i will give Sphinx a try. Have you downloaded service pack 2 for vista yet? And if you did was everything ok I got the update in my windows update page but i hide it waiting to hear of any feed back, bugs or bad reports about it.

  Thankyou both for your time........cheers.......p...........

  If You Dont Ask You Will Never Know..

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• 

  • Athlonite on Wed 03 Jun 2009
  • 12:39:48 PM UTC

  Sp2 Bugs !

  There are a few bugs that relate to SP2 but , the most important yet would be that Kaspersky and SP2 don't play well together. The others that I have heard of should be fixed by software like compatible drivers. That shouldn't be long. If you do decide to install SP2 and find problems with some of your software or hardware for that matter, go to the manufacturer's site and install the latest drivers or updates. Other than that, I don't think you should worry too much. Just make sure to create a Restore Point before installing. If something does go wrong , you will be able to Restore to a earlier time . One more suggestion, be sure to scan for Malware and to clean out the temps files also a defrag would be advisable. Just normal upkeep,

  Athlonite.

  Your help is always needed.

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• 

  • paul g on Wed 03 Jun 2009
  • 02:38:47 PM UTC

  Sp2 Bugs !

  Hey,Athlonite Thanks again for your advice,,,Thats good to know i can use restore point i thought they where all wiped out when a new sevice pack was installed.
  I do all the usual housekeeping the only thing i have'nt done is Defrag as its a new PC i did'nt think id need to yet..

  Thanks for your time..........cheers.........p............

  If You Dont Ask You Will Never Know..

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8. 

   • Steven Avery on Wed 03 Jun 2009
   • 06:59:28 AM UTC

   PC Tools firewall future Symantec-clouded

   Hi Folks,

   Probably the main knock on the PC Tools Firewall is that it is now owned by Symantec, so it is unlikely to remain both free and vibrant looking ahead.

   The freeware firewall market has a number of decent players now, including Online Armor, Outpost, PC Tools, Sunbelt (formerly Kerio), Webroot and ZoneAlarm, leaving aside Comodo. (Listed more or less in my understanding of overall utility, best first, all capable.) Plus a couple of lesser-knowns worthy of techie consideration. I haven't checked how they run on Vista, and you can add Sphinx to the Vista list.

   Thus if you are having problems with PC Tools, I would suggest look for a careful uninstall and switch. Save your energy, no compelling reason to stay. If PC Tools is running fine, no compelling reason to switch.

   Shalom,
   Steven Avery

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