After removing moving some files (via the remove programs tool) and a delete or two yesterday and moving some others I find that Internet Explorer, Foxfire and Outlook Express are able to make internet connections, while Opera, Netscape, MSN and AIM can no longer make a connection.

I didn't knowingly move or delete any system files. MSN tells me that it can't find the default gateway, but when I check for it using *ipconfig* it does show. Opera *cannot connect to remote server*. Netscape tells me that the connection was refused when attempting to contact my home page, and AIM says that the AIM service can't be reached.

I did move some old copies of AOL from the C drive to the D drive, but don't think that should have caused the problem as I don't use the program and have a wireless Comcast cable connection. I mention this because AOL does have winsocks and other connection devices, as I recall from some years ago.

I did an F8 startup this evening and returned to an *earlier working configuration* and the system is now both sluggish and seemingly unstable.

I'm lucky that I have any connections, but this isn't good! Help me out of my seemingly self-made hell, please.


Thanks,
pacificoast

sounds like it could be a firewall issue. I am not to sure about the ports used by Opera and Netscape but it would sort of answer the issues with MSN and AIM

Woah, let me change this posting. I just put Zone Alarm back up, with Sygate and it instantly asked about AIM and MSN!!!!

MSN still won't work and Opera won't, but now AIM and Netscape can.

Any ideas of where to go from here?

Thanks so much!

pacificoast

I would say it is the windows firewall that is doing it then. Zone Alarm will automatically add these as exceptions if it see's them. Add these other programs to the exception in the Windows firewall config.

Thanks projectfocus,

Sorry. I got sick and haven't been online in a few days.

Windows firewall is off.

I have the free versions of both Zone Alarma and Sygate, so they ask me about allowing contact, but don't actually give me a place to list exceptions, except possibily Sygate where they have a place for *advanced rules*. I leave that alone. They also seem to be erratic in asking.

I have had problems running Sygate with XP, but when I go to shut it down or removed it, at times I have found it necessary to reinstall it, as it seems to leave it's preferences for blocking in place, as I have it set to *ask*. I found the same with Zone Alarm when, as per when I started the program and it asked about Netscape and AIM and allowed those two to function.

Opps. I just tested Opera and it is now funcitoning as both firewall programs are asking if it should be allowed.

MSN has now decided to work as well.

By the way, I had a trojan infecting the machine as well, and while running the Windows Live OneCare program overnight a couple nights back, I forgot to disable my virus protection program and it ran as well and found and quarantined a trojan. I wonder if that could have combined to cause the problems, as now things seems to be able to make contact?

I don't want to have to use two firewalls and yet as you can see, when I closed one out, I had to start it up to regain the internet connection to several programs. Any ideas on this?

I will see what happens when I reboot.

Thank you.

pacificoast

I'd suggest that you remove all traces of both and start over - the conflicts between the 2 probably won't get any better - and may get worse.

I've been using the Sygate firewall (last freeware version for several years now, don't use any "special" rules and rarely have a pop-up asking for permission.