Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2005 10:46 am Post subject: Firewall fun
A couple of weeks ago my computer stopped working. It transpired that the hard drive had died, and so I replaced it.
That meant re-loading all the software.
(Didnt affect data as I had it all backed up, apart from emails and email addresses. Something I will now remember for the future.)
As for firewalls,
previously, I had tried Zone Alarm, but found it was unreliable, so changed to Sygate. That worked well.
This time, it just wouldnt work at all.
I looked around and found that there are about a dozen free firewalls available.
Tiny was my next attempt. Worked OK, but I got error messages each time I started the computer. It is possible that was an indication of something that might give problems in the future, so on to the next one.
Agnitum. Worked OK, but so complicated, out it went.
For the time being, I have gone back to Zone Alarm, which seems to work OK this time.
Dont like it much so will try some of the others when time permits.
I find it strange that originally Zone Alarm wouldnt work and Sygate did.
Now, on the same computer, the reverse is true.
A 1.5Ghz Pentium, and the latest thing when I got it. And, that was only 3, well almost 4, years ago.
One possibly useful item for anyone who runs a legitimate copy of Windows XP, when first installed one has to activate it, with Microsoft.
Lose the initial data and then re-install it, and it will only work for 30 days without reactivating it. MS wont allow you to do that if it is already registered with them.
Yes, there are exceptions and ways round it, but...
The easy way is, whilst the original set up is working,
Copy the file c:\windows\system32\wpa.dbl to a floppy.
Reinstall Windows XP.(or install to new hard drive)
Boot to a DOS disk if you are using FAT, or to the Recovery Console if
using NTFS.
Copy the file from the first step above back to c:\windows\system32.
Pentium P4 1.5Ghz, in MSI motherboard with intel chipset.
256mb memory, 20 gb hard drive C for programmes, and 80gb drive D (used for data).
CD rom and CD writer, plus, somehwat unusually, a Zip drive.
(The latter is because I keep each clients data on a separate zip file.)
Video card, GEforce something-or-other, and sound card, I have no idea and I rarely turn the speakers on anyway.
Software, Windows XP with all the updates and service packs, Win Word, Excel, Publisher, plus the usual Internet etc.
And Turbocad Cad package.
(All genuine softare.)
I got a Athlon 2.5 CPU
512 ram
80GIG SATA drive
9 gig SCSI drive for backup
ASUS 4 speed DVD writer
52 X CD reader
Geforce video card
LG 17" flat screen CRT
Bought this pc about 15 months ago--absolutely no signs of a need to upgrade.
Software? The list could go on for for ever. All of it purchased from established retailers here in Thailand _________________ Asia Expats Forum Expat Friends Dating
Pentium P4 1.5Ghz, in MSI motherboard with intel chipset.
256mb memory, 20 gb hard drive C for programmes, and 80gb drive D (used for data).
CD rom and CD writer, plus, somehwat unusually, a Zip drive.
(The latter is because I keep each clients data on a separate zip file.)
Video card, GEforce something-or-other, and sound card, I have no idea and I rarely turn the speakers on anyway.
Software, Windows XP with all the updates and service packs, Win Word, Excel, Publisher, plus the usual Internet etc.
And Turbocad Cad package.
(All genuine softare.)
consider upgrading the hardware
do you need software to determine your hardware and software?
My previous computer had a DX2/66, with, I think, 32mb ram, and 2gb hard drive.
Did all I needed.
In fact, the limitation to speed is how quick I can type, which isnt very fast.!
Then for two years, I used one that had a 600 mhz AMD something-or-other, and on going back to my trusty DX2 machine, decided that perhaps I should upgrade it.
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