Free Zone Alarm Firewall blocing MSN

[pickle-i-po]

I have just installed the Free versin of Zone Alarm firewall. I have done his on my laptop which is runnng Vista with no problems.
When I install it on hubby's PC runnig XP it won't sign in to Windows Live Messenger. Even if I turn the firewall off. Have tried uninstalling and installed again and same thing happens. Comes up with error 81000306.
Any help much appreciated?

[ChuckFickens]

I would suggest that maybe if it still won't work with the firewall turned of then maybe it's not the firewall thats causing the problem.

Did you try it between uninstalling and reinstalling?

just out of interest (i've seen this once recently.. if this is the problem I couldn't cure it without a reinstall) open internet explorer click on the help menu and select about IE, what is the cipher strength list? if it says 0 then I await others answers because it got me!

also try here

http://messenger-support.spaces.live.com/blog/ cns!8B3F39C76A8B853F!13932.entry?sa=752608041

[pickle-i-po]

Thanks Chuck. Yeah, works fine when I uninstall, but same error whe I reinstall. Have just uninstalled again and am just running Windows Firewall. Do you think this is sufficent? Have got AVG free as well.

[pickle-i-po]

Actually, I went by your recommendation to begin with

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Technology/Ques tion673987.html

[ChuckFickens]

it's probably retaining some settings between the installs then

could try uninstalling again and then removing every reference to it that may be left behind... but as this may involve deleting hidden files and folders and possibly editing the registry, so...

try comodo instead as a fire wall, it's as good as zone alarm (some would say better) and also free.

http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com/downloa d_firewall.html

Oh and the windows firewall is rubbish.

[ChuckFickens]

well make me feel bad why don't ya :)

LOL

[pickle-i-po]

Ok....I'll give it a go and let you know how I get on ;)

[pickle-i-po]

That link has a firewall/antivirus combined...should I get rid of the AVG antivirus then?

Sorry to be such a pain!

[ChuckFickens]

during the install you can select what components you want installed, just make sure you install the firewall only.

[pickle-i-po]

Thanks Chuck. Seems to have worked so far and messenger is on.
Appreciate the help