Zone Alarm

[SARGE]

For past few months when pc's boot, a message pops up from desktop saying trying to load "true vector". I then go to ZA in Programs and try to start it and get same message. Usually a reboot fixes it. This is sporadic but becoming more frequent. The kicker is it happens on all 3 pc's. They're all running same version. I realize there's nothing, help-wise, anyone could offer, but was wondering if anyone else is experiencing this. It's been a great program for the longest w/o any problems, but lately I've seen this.

[HAL9000]

Is it just trying to start, or is it failing to start? If it just says that it is trying to start, it will, it's just taking it's time.

[Kubie]

Sarge,
I had the same problem with True Vector a few times and with PC-Cillin until I saw that I had The "Load Power Profiles" unchecked. Checked both of them and problem never occurred again.
Carl

[SARGE]

Hal, doesn't start at all.

Carl, the timetable for the irritation coincides with the Linksy's router installation, now that I think about it. But, I don't want to go there :D

[Confused]

Sarge I ran ZA behind a router for about 5 months (router was purchased knowing I was going to build a new PC and network the 2) until I built my new PC with no problems. I built the new PC hooked it to the router, set up networking (original PC; WIN98 FE, 2nd. PC XP Pro) and within a week the WIN98 PC was completely hosed. Could not access the net and had some problems with Apps. and was also experiences some problems with XP. Uninstalled ZA on both and XP PC cleared up. WIN98 PC was still so hosed, I wound up formatting and reloading.

Like I say, ZA was fine until I started to network and then major problems. I'm not a big fan anymore of ZA and do not run it. I let my router be my firewall now.

In fairness, I have a friend in the business who runs ZA Pro which he reports is much more stable than the free version. Even though he's in the business, he doesn't run it behind a router with networked PC's though.
Chas

[HAL9000]

Not sure why it wouldn't be starting, I've been running the free version behind my router with networked machines for over a year without any problems. The only thing I had a problem with was using NETBEUI, but since I was finally behind the router, I knocked it out and only run TCP/IP without any issues.

[Kassia]

Hey SARGE,

I too, have had this prob. It has only happened to me a few times, and only since I upgraded to the latest version of ZoneAlarm. When I reboot, all is well. I hate to say it, but I liked the older version of ZoneAlarm better. Keep us posted on your progress, SARGE. Perhaps ZoneAlarm has some bugs they need to work out.

[Cricket]

There's a problem when uninstalling previous versions of Zone Alarm and installing the latest version. I learned the hard way that you have to really clean the older version off your system before you install the latest version.

The problem I had was it was getting harder and harder to get connected to my ISP and stay connected. I thought the ISP was having problems but I ran across another forum where people were having weird problems with Zone Alarm. Someone mentioned that the previous version had to be really cleaned off before the new version was installed or Zone Alarm would get really flakey.

Anyway, depending on which OS you're using, you can go here to see the instructions for fully removing Zone Alarm from your system (scroll down to the bottom of the page: Zone Alarm Uninstall Instructions (http://www.zonelabs.com/services/support_install.htm)

:) Cricket

[SARGE]

Well, I'm not alone. The pc's all have the newest version. You're right about uninstalling; I've done it before, thought I had every registry entry, but the new install saw that I had some "preferences" from before.

One thing I can offer as a tip. Keep the downloaded file (the one you eventually click to install) on the hd. I uninstalled ZA awhile back and suddenly couldn't access the web - dsl or dialup. After scratching around I reinstalled ZA from original file and everything then worked. Perhaps it screwed up TCP/IP when uninstalled.

I only use it now as a "feel good-ism" for security, like a reinforcer for the router. Maybe that's just being paranoid.

[freezinbutt]

Hey SARGE,

I just experienced some weird stuff with ZA as well. I ran it for over a year with both dial up and then a DSL modem. No problems. Then I installed a network and everything went batty. Since my new network included a router with a firewall, I just uninstalled ZA and the problems stopped.

Recently I built a computer for my father-in-law. He is going to use it as a stand alone machine hooked direct to a cable modem. I decided I woud do him a favor and install ZA so he had some protection. I had his computer plugged into my network while I was doing the download and install. When ZA came up after the reboot, everything went batty again. I ended up disabling it until I was done tweaking the computer and had it disconnected from my network. Maybe there is a bug that ZA doesn't know about when you use it on a network?

freezinbutt

[Confused]

I agree freezing. ZA went along fine until I started networking behind a router. WIN98 FE PC completely freeked out. Like you I let my router be my firewall now.
Chas

[glc]

ZA Free version hates LANs - you need Pro to work properly on a LAN.

[Katrenavantassle]

I have a stand alone pc, on a lan, by the cable modem. I had zone alarm pro......the free 30 day trial.......it was great. Problem is, my trial period ran out, now I am going to have to buy it. Hahaha! No problems at all for me. But HEY!!!!! Word of Advise here!!!!!! Seriously........I downloaded a firewall, off the web, called "SYgate Firewall" and found a TRojan. dat file included in the download. I opened the file, and found alot of hacker crap...like hacky you......hahaha.....and junk like that......so I deleted it off my pc, and uninstalled the firewall......Then I downloaded Window Washer, a real good program to delete all the old crap off of my pc.....the first wash I did, deleted over 12,000 old files off my harddrive!!!! Go For It!!!

[SARGE]

I'm getting fed up with being so cotton pickin' security conscious. Car alarms, house alarms, heat in every room, dead bolt locks, ZA, Ad Aware, virus programs, etc.

[Charliey]

Ive run ZA free, and Pro behind a linux router on a DSL line for year, and it was trouble free. When i reformatted my computer, and reintalled it, it wouldnt work, and i tried several times to erase it completely and reinstall it, and i couldnt get it to work.
I have since installed Tiny Firewall, and its great, works fine, and in the free version it lets you set the same rules and options as the Pro version of ZA.