OT: WinXP Update Causes Loss of Internet Access

Trains Magazine General Discussion
1

If you’re like me, you let Windows update itself. Normally this is a surreptitious activity. On the 8th, I suddenly lost the ability to access the Internet. At first, I thought either a dsl modem, ethernet card or router had failed, but everything seemed OK. Fortunately, I had a second machine. After an error free session, it too failed. The only thing in common that I could think of was that Windows had done an update during power off. Apparently, MS made an update which causes PCs that use ZoneAlarm as the firewall to cease Internet access. The fix requires the removal of hotfix KB951748. The instructions to do this are at ZoneAlarm’s Web site:

[link]http://download.zonealarm.com/bin/free/pressReleases/2008/LossOfInternetAccessIssue.html[/link]

The reason I’m posting this is because a lot of people use Zone Alarm as a firewall.

2

Doesn’t that just tick you off [banghead][banghead][banghead]

3

Im behind a stateful router and have had zero issues. There is another security program on the computers working to keep things clean.

No worries.

I recall zone alarm from years ago, I found it to be high strung and replaced it with a router. Once that was done, all of my issues went away.

4

I ignore updates. The only times my computer turns off are when it bluescreens.

And no, the two are not related. Trust me [;)]

5

While I was poking around here something directed me to an internet security site. Did not ask for this, red flags.

Rgds ign

6

and then there are the IT lizzards at the mothership restricting URL access. Can only see copcar’s work at home as an example. (I understand their point - my umbrage is directed at the lowlifes that abuse a public system and louse it up for folks that don’t abuse the 'net - spammers and hackers need to be shot on sight.)

7

ZA have just distributed a permanent to fix of this specific problem:
[link]http://download.zonealarm.com/bin/cfu/en/zapAENEXE.html?ver=70_483_000&oem=1025_zl&offer=offer_pctuneup_en[/link]
(19.9 MB)

8

Here is the Zone Alarm update page covering all of the various versions of Zone Alarm.

http://download.zonealarm.com/bin/free/pressReleases/2008/LossOfInternetAccessIssue.html

9

If some locomotives use any Windows flavor of O/S, I sure hope they don’t use McAfee. I finally got fed-up with that crap constantly telling me my XP box at home wasn’t protected because either virus protection or SystemGuard had gotten disabled during the last upgrade. I ripped it out and went with Symantec.

10

Thanks for sharing that link, eastside. I have that problem on one of my home computers as we speak. Fortunately, I also have a Vista machine (I bet that’s the first time anyone’s ever said that!) so I can try to diagnos the problem on the XP machine. Imagine if you only had an XP machine and the update completely issolated you from the Internet. Annoying, to say the least.

Bergie

11

well now i know what the problem was… zone alarm was giving me fits after a windows update… i fixed it on my end by deleting zone alarm all together and reinstallinging it… works fine now… but thanks for this info though my computer was about to die or something…

csx engineer