ZoneAlarm Problem

RolandIRL

i've this problem with ZoneAlarm Firewall ever since i installed windows 7 SP1. at first SP1 wouldn't install properly until i disabled ZA on startup but sometimes the ZA system tray icon will just say "Protection is up, UI initialising" or something like that as it always does on startup except now it always says that when i hover over it.
No prompts appear asking me to allow/deny connections in or out, as it normally should. I can't open the UI at all, and all attempts to end the process say Access Denied. tried killing it in Task Manager and via a elevated command prompt, but no success.
SP1 seems to be the culprit as that's when it all started, but i uninstalled ZA cos of this. Tried Comodo for a while but didn't like it. Went back to ZA but the problem's still persisting.

I like ZA because of all the prompts, i like to know what's being allowed connect to the internet, and asking me for access. that's what i didn't like about Comodo. So can anyone think of a way to fix ZA or suggest a different firewall that gives prompts whenever a program tries to access the internet?

Fysh

From your post it sounds like removing and reinstalling ZA does not resolve the problem, is that correct? I presume you have Windows Firewall turned off when you're using ZA? What AV software are you using?

RolandIRL

A reinstall of ZA doesn't solve it, no. Windows Firewall is off, i've had no trouble with ZA prior to SP1. using MSE as my AV.

Biggins

whiteman19 wrote: »

...So can anyone think of a way to fix ZA or suggest a different firewall that gives prompts whenever a program tries to access the internet?

Yes, PcTools Spyware Doctor/Internet Security, here
I've been using this one for years and its done exactly that every time something wants to go in or out.
Messages and their frequency which is customisable - besides being an exceptionally great protection system itself.

RolandIRL

Biggins wrote: »

Yes, PcTools Spyware Doctor/Internet Security, here
I've been using this one for years and its done exactly that every time something wants to go in or out.
Messages and their frequency which is customisable - besides being an exceptionally great protection system itself.

cheers Biggins. will give it a look at the firewall program...i'm too cheap to buy anything

Biggins

whiteman19 wrote: »

cheers Biggins. will give it a look at the firewall program...i'm too cheap to buy anything

LOl Thats fair enough.
Their free firewall alone is recognised as one of the best around anyway.

RolandIRL

Biggins wrote: »

LOl Thats fair enough.
Their free firewall alone is recognised as one of the best around anyway.

just installed it there. seems to do exactly what i want, i just like getting those prompts about access. cheers again Biggins:)

Biggins

whiteman19 wrote: »

just installed it there. seems to do exactly what i want, i just like getting those prompts about access. cheers again Biggins:)

Welcome.