Hey there Cruzians?!
I discovered the problem to the recent loss of internet access for many people.
It's not your router, not your modem (well, for one person it was), its not the recent power outtage in some areas.
Microsoft released a patch on Tuesday 7-8-08 that caused the problem if you have ZoneAlarm firewall installed. (millions of people)
To fix it, you either need to uninstall the microsoft patch, or set zonelarm to a different (medium) security setting, or disable zonealarm.
Sadly, turning off any of them affect your internet security in a negative way.
In addition to the above changes, the Zonealarm update to version 7.0.483 fixes it too. Which would be the preferred method. (of course, you need to be online to download it.)
This link takes you to a a 'suite' version of ZoneAlarm. It comes with anti-virus and anti-spyware built-in, but is not free.
There should be a free update soon, I hope.
http://download.zonealarm.com/bin/free/ ... 000_en.exe
link to free ZoneAlarm page (no update to version .483 yet):
http://www.zonealarm.com/store/content/ ... rewall.jsp
If you want to wait for the free release, do one of the following modifications.
Changing the ZA settings is the easiest; I personally removed the windows update.
ZoneAlarm:
To change the settings, click on the grey and black "Z" in the system tray (by the clock)
on the left side, click on firewall, and in internet zone security section, change the slider from high to medium,
close the window and it should work fine.
When they (most likely ZoneAlarm, not Microsoft) fix this problem, update the program (download and then follow the default install steps) and then put the security setting back into High.
Patch Removal:
If you want to uninstall the patch.
Start>control panel> add/remove programs
at the top of the screen check the box (show updates)
scroll to the bottom of the list of programs and remove the one called "security update for Windows XP (951748)
Installed on 7/8/2008 or 7/9/2008 or 7/10/2008 most likely
reboot the computer.
wait till it fully reboots.
You should see a yellow shield in the system tray; click on it.
choose custom install, next.
You should see the update that you just uninstalled. It wants to install itself again! Which of course, will break everything again.
uncheck the '951748' update, click done, or next...
when the warning pops up, check the box 'dont ask me about this again.'
If you dont have automatic windows updates turned on, this probably wont be there.
If you want to download this patch manually in the future, go to
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/deta ... laylang=en
or google search for microsoft WindowsXP-KB951748-x86-ENU.exe
and chose the top choice (currently)
You should be set, have fun computing!
If you cant do it yourself and I'll be happy to come over and take care of it for you, as well as teach you some new tricks!
Dont forget, most computers need routine maintenance, if you're not doing it yourself, please don't hesitate to contact your local computer tech (me).
Also, if you're not backing up--do it!
Please pass this info along to any other Windows user, if they use Zonealarm as their security firewall.
Jesse Wilkins
Wilkins Consulting/ Computer HELP!
Computer & Network Services
831-588-4319
831-438-3985
wilkinsconsulting@hotmail.comhttp://www.wilkinsconsulting.us'Those who speak their mind speak the truth.'