WARNING: ZoneAlarm Firewall + Lenovo Vista

(to Admins, yes i have made 2 new topics in the same forum, but only because each is not really related)

A warning to those running Vista Home Premium on a Lenovo 3000 N100.
(I am not positive, but ld be weary to installing it on other Vista OS types on Lenovo too.)​

I did install this several times, and restored too, to test, toggling installed software and uninstalling every software until windows basics are left and the Lenovo programs needed to run features on N100. Removing unneeded drivers and such too. Each times I had come to the same conclusion:

BE WEARY ABOUT INSTALLING ZONE ALARM FIREWALLS. ​

Free or paid for versions.​

What Happened Exactly:

When installing Zone Alarm Firewall I froze, then went to the blue screen of death. I have yet to see my Vista do that...so that was already a bad sign.

Upon a new start up of Vista, it began to lag uncontrollably and the stability had been shattered to dust.
The internet in my Lenovo connections wizard failed to pick up any connections. Windows did the same.
They both agreed that there were either none in range or non connected to me (dial up and wireless).
Which was of course...wrong. We tried broadband too. Nothing.

I then unistalled Zone Alarm Firewall. Without rushing it and giving it full attention.
I shut down.
After that I started the computer up hoping it was temporary. Even after a full uninstall, Ccleaner, and other uninstall tools, Zone Alarm Firewall leaves that damn blocking of ANY AND ALL internet connections.
I restarted.
To test I went to the Lenovo Rescue and Recovery center.
(this is a Lenovo ONLY feature)


How To Get To Lenovo Rescue and Recover:

• Start the Computer
  
  Immediately press F11 and tap repeatedly until something shows on the screen.
  
  Once entered in the Rescue and Recover program I clicked
  Connections>>Browser
  
  The browser in this program is most basic of ways to connect.
  
  If you/I cannot connect here then I'm thinking that Windows and Lenovo does not pick up anything out of the ordinary. Also because I supposedly uninstalled Zone Alarm Firewall its left over went undetected I guess.
  So once again my computer failed to connect in the most basic environment.

Note:
(Since the computer has not fully started up yet, only the programs, files and basic drivers Rescue and Recovery needs are started, knocking out the issue of other program/driver related conflicts too. Unless you installed a wonky visual driver or something. Which I didn't so....)​

After having being frustrated with this for too long I took my baby to
an IT Tech who has worked many years at IBM and knows so much about computers. I trust him with anything.

He personally took a look into the computer and told me that something is so deeply screwed over, that even he cant really figure out specifics without diving deep into my drive and playing the registry. However after consideration we decided a restore would be the easiest choice.

The EASIEST way we found for an average person can fix this is to

RESTORE YOUR COMPUTER TO FACTORY DEFAULTS.

Its so sad...but right now, I am not the holder of the solution for this issue.

After restoring, My computer had been acting tip top. Very speedy and lovely.
------------------------------------


As Im not that smart and I certainly cannot hold a candle to the great wizards here, I still liked to warn and tell you all as much information as I could give about this issue. To avoid others from having the same fate. ;;
If there is any more information you need, ill be glad to give it to you if I can.

I would also REALLY love it if some one can help prove if this is wrong or right, or if my computer, suddenly became special ED. Id like to find a solution to it too.However, my computer has been restored so many times. I like to actually use it sometimes ya' know. Ah ha ha.

Anyways, thanks for reading. I know it may be a little bit odd of a post but I really hope it can be useful to someone. If it's not then feel free to delete it Admins.

 

I did a testing install of Internet Security V. 7.0.408 with all updates installed.
(yes, the anti-spyware programs were disabled)

After that I restored.

Then I did a 3rd test of Zone Alarm Free Firewall V.7.0.408.0 all updates installed.

Mmmhmm. Good advice. Im very careful though with making sure there arent program conflicts. Especially with security.

I agree with you, when I had windows XP, I used Zone Alarm. It was my best buddy. ;-; Bloating these security programs make them semi useless.

 

Sorry, my brian skipped one too many pulses to keep up.
It's the Vista version. And im on 34bits. ;;
I bet that was frustrating for you.
SORRY SORRY.

Ive been doing that alot lately...

When did Zone Alarm revamp their site?
The last time I was on it, it didn't look exactly like that.

http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9024641

Ive been seeing alot of articles like this.
http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file/fid,65012-order,1-page,1/description.html#

:0

 

I'll add my vote against ZA also for Vista and I also got rid of it on my XP install replacing it with PCTools and I've had no headaches since. Like Halo, I'll wait for Comodo too as Vista is still not my main OS yet. Hmm,maybe time to test the beta again as the last time I tried it, was a disaster.

 

Do tell...

 

so I take this as ZoneAlarm isn't compatable with vista in anyway shape or form??

~Shadow~

 

Did anyone check the date of this thread before posting?