31 replies to this topic

[IrishFarmer]

I upgraded my computer to windows service pack 2 so that I could use Visual C++ 2005, but that doesn't work for me. Now I'm stuck with Service Pack 2, which includes a nifty firewall program. Well, now anything other than Netscape Navigator (my default browser) has been blocked from accessing the internet, so to speak. Limewire, and any online games, and also I can't access my hotmail/yahoo e-mail accounts which happened at a very poor time, namely when I actually need it.

I tried doing a system restore, but for some reason there are no restores before the date that I upgraded. Which figures. I'm guessing the cache or whatever to store restore dates was filled up by all the stupid files I had to update.

Is there any possible way of disabling the firewall (I'm really not that good with computers when it comes to crap like this and I don't know where to start). I've tried finding the program in system memory (with task manager and wintasks, but neither one of them can find them or shut it down). I really don't like Microsoft very much right now.

[ray648]

its in control panel:
- load control panel
- switch to classic view (button on left)
- click the windows firewall icon
- there should be an option to disable it

[.oisyn]

Windows firewall only blocks INCOMING connections. The firewall is there for a good reason, and I'm not experiencing any problems with it whatsoever.

[IrishFarmer]

Well then...I'm really F-U-C-T. This is really lame. Apparently it isn't the Firewall because I disabled it and Limewire still doesn't work, and stuff. What the hell am I supposed to do now? Maybe I have another firewall running for some reason that I didn't know about. If so, like say I activated a Symantec one, how would I find it? Well, I'll snoop around, but if anyone has a solution I'd love to hear it.

[Reedbeta]

Go into your Network Connections (in the control panel), and go to your default connection and right-click, choose Properties. Now poke around in there and make sure all the protocols are enabled, under the TCP/IP advanced settings make sure you are not setting a static IP or something, make sure you're not using a proxy server (unless your ISP requires you to), and similiar. Basically look for anything out of the ordinary.

To check if you might have accidentally installed another firewall program, look in the system tray or check the Add/Remove Programs control panel.

[IrishFarmer]

I shut off Windows firewall, then I uninstalled the McAfee firewall I had and still nothing. So....I'm baffled as to exactly what the problem could be. It occurs to me that this Service Pack, as far as I'm concerned, is more maliscious than any virus I know of. Argh. Just....argh.

[.oisyn]

SP2 includes really good security features, in my opinion every windows XP install without SP2 should die. And what you're experiencing sounds more like a 3rd party software/driver bug than something SP2 is to blame for. Try downloading and installing the latest drivers for your hardware, especially your network card.

[Nick]

Synchronize your clock. I'm not kidding; it solved a whole bunch of problems on a friend's computer...

[pater]

Nick said:

Synchronize your clock. I'm not kidding; it solved a whole bunch of problems on a friend's computer...

Err... What kind of problems? Just asking because sound like a really strange way of fixing problems and maybe I'll once run into the same, too...

[liberostelios]

Quote

SP2 includes really good security features, in my opinion every windows XP install without SP2 should die. And what you're experiencing sounds more like a 3rd party software/driver bug than something SP2 is to blame for. Try downloading and installing the latest drivers for your hardware, especially your network card.

I am sorry to say that, but I am not going to trust the security of windows even with SP1 or SP2! It's also known that SP2 creates a lot problems in your system (like any other type of software that Microsoft creates). Personaly, I had a lot of problems with windows both before and after SP2. And, I would suggest you to install a real firewall and don't trust just the flat "firewall" of Windows!

[ray648]

The thing that annoyed me most about sp2 was when you have the firewall turned off, and it reminds you everytime you log on, and tells you your computer isnt safe because the firewall is turned off. I know theres a button that should stop that happening but for some reason it doesnt stop it quite as well as it should. I think microsoft should put a button somewhere labled "I am not a complete moron, i will sort out my computers security myself, please stop reminding me". Personally im behind a quite good hardware firewall, so windows firewall is completely unwanted.

[anubis]

And if microsoft doesn't remind the regular windows user, they get blamed for being unfriendly to the casual user. Face it, windows is a system for non-tech people. If you can't live with that get BSD or Linux. Clicking a button to get trid of that warning message isn't that hard now, is it ? As I see it the problem with Microsoft isn't their operating sytem or software in general. Windows is quite mature. It's just written for the people who use it. You don't go out and buy a bike for your kid and complain about safety wheels do you ?

[ray648]

I completely agree with your comments anubis. Im not in any way saying that windows isnt very good or that clicking a button is hard. The thing is that you click the button and next time you restart it is unclicked again. I agree that its very well designed for the casual user, all these warning messages are probably very useful to some of them. I just wish there was one button somewhere that just turned it all off. I hate the way that after a reinstall you have to go round and turn off all these annoying messages, like the firewall one, and my other favourite - the way it wont let you look in the system folders without clicking that extra warning about how modifying the files is a bad idea.

On linux, i already run it on my second and soon third computer, I do however need to have windows on at least one because linux is no good at two things, playing windows games (which i do quite a bit in my spare time), and writing windows applications (which i do for a living, working from home).

So sorry if that came across a bit wrong, I just think it should maybe have an expert user mode or something.

[ikk]

to disable this stupid waring you're talking about goto:
Control Panel -> Security center ->
now, on the left hand menu there is this link: "Change the way security center alerts me". There you should find option to disable that warning.

To disable security center even more goto services list.
Right mouse on My Computer --> Manage -> Services and Applications -> Services ->
locate "Security Center" service, and in its propeties, press Stop and change "Startup type" to manual or disabled.

[.oisyn]

liberostelios said:

I am sorry to say that, but I am not going to trust the security of windows even with SP1 or SP2! It's also known that SP2 creates a lot problems in your system (like any other type of software that Microsoft creates). Personaly, I had a lot of problems with windows both before and after SP2. And, I would suggest you to install a real firewall and don't trust just the flat "firewall" of Windows!

If you are experiencing problems, it's mostly due to crappy hardware, drivers or 3rd party software. And of course, microsoft gets to blame, because it's THEIR operating system that crashes or doesn't do what you want.

That, and you should never upgrade from a previous version of windows

[liberostelios]

Well, maybe a lot of people blame Microsoft for every bad thing that happens on their system, which is not right, but it's true that Windows is a bad O/S. For example, it's impermissible for an O/S to need format every 6 months or a year to solve every problem and make your system fast again! There are much more things that make Windows a bad O/S, but this is the most stupid! If you get an experience with Linux, or another Unix based O/S, then you'll understand why so many people that know some things about computer, dislike Microsoft.

[eddie]

To be honest, I don't blame MS for the constant reformats. It's all the third party junk that slows stuff down.

Seriously: try installing MS Office on Win XP, with IE, and nothing else. You won't need to reformat ever. Make sure you defrag occasionally, naturally (I wish MS would schedule maintenance by default), but otherwise you're fine.

I think the main difference is you've got every turkey and his dog writing software for MS operating systems in "easy" languages like VB (now *there's* a reason to dislike MS.. inventing VB!), and don't have proper precautions for the system they're installing on.

But Linux people can be just as bad at times: they just generally aren't because it's a steeper on-ramp to develop apps for those systems, as well as getting the OS running.

Don't hate the player, hate the game.

[PnP Bios]

Stop blaming microsoft because you don't know how to operate your computer, either that or get a mac.

[SnprBoB86]

I'm an expert computer user. I run Windows XP SP2 on my primary machine and I use the built in firewall. I have several machines that have not ever been formatted even after heavy use (read: YEARS).

Third party software is primarily to blame. Sure, Windows has it's flaws, but it is the third party software that causes major problems.

Your best bet is to install SP2 and a decent anti-virus, turn off CD autorun, use only Windows logo tested drivers, and avoid installing software from untrusted companies (this also includes big companies such as AOL who produce terrible software).

[nea]

Do you installed all other security backups with sp2 too? because there was a problem with the update 902400 i think... i had something similar which could be tracked back to that update. i searched google for it and there were some users that had same problems. internet wont work, firewall and antivir is stucked etc.

so, try deinstall that update...