Inevitable

[pidgygoesmeh]

Hi

Really hope someone can help - I have a Toshiba laptop with F-Secure 5.43 on it and for some reason for the last 2 weeks it won't allow me to access Gmail, MSN Hotmail, any F-Secure updates (it usually does automatic updates when I switch on)...

There is a firewall, which claims to be functioning, and the sites/programmes above are allowed through it.

I can't think of anything I've changed or done differently recently..

If anyone can help me, I'd be your IT slave forever!

Thanks

[trevHCS]

- First off, what message do you get when you try to visit those sites mentioned? Eg: "Page can not be displayed".

- Does the F-Secure software give any indications of why it can't download updates?

- Can you get to the F-Secure web site - http://www.f-secure.com/

-- If so, I'd try their online virus scanner (link on the left) and see if that brings anything up. It could be a virus that's blocking access to F-Secure updates to prevent you finding a patch for it.


- Maybe try turning off the firewall for a second and see if the F-Secure software can then get through. I suspect it won't but sometimes firewalls can be suspect.

Also what firewall software are you using? If you say Norton I reserve the right to shout "Eureka!", although I promise not to run down the street naked! :-)


- If you can't access the F-Secure site, there are a few others out there including (only listing sites I trust):

http://housecall.trendmicro.com/
http://www.pandasoftware.com/products/activescan.htm
http://www3.ca.com/securityadvisor/virusinfo/scan.aspx


"I can't think of anything I've changed or done differently recently.."

Hmm, usually translates as "well, except for installing that really useful bit of software" perhaps? ;-) Or should I say - any kids been near the machine?

Anyway, the above should provide some pottential answers as to whats wrong.

Trev

[pidgygoesmeh]

Trev! Thankyou so much! I am your IT slave.

I ran the F-Secure online scan on my machine.. Nothing doing. I also shut down the firewall and tried again, but that didn't work either :(

No Norton on my machine (I've heard bad things from techie freinds). No kids near my computer!

The message I get when I try and install virus definition updates is "F Secure cannot complete automatic updates: Error Code, 5". I had a look on their website and can't decode what that means.

The machine won't currently sign into MSN Messenger at all: Error code 80048820

The gmail site is weirdest - it just keeps trying to connect to the site and failing, then trying to connect and failing... 'Clicking' back and forth every 5 seconds or so.

You'll have to believe me that I didn't intall anything ;) There is, of course, the Stupidity Factor, where I did and I don't remember, but I checked under 'installed programmes' and there's nothing new.

The firewall was installed by a friend, and when I investigate it it just claims to be the "Windows Firewall".

There is one other clue to the mystery - when I do Ctrl+Alt+Del, there seem to be an awful lot of programmes running in the background that I have no clue what they are; approx. 50 'processes' altogether. Seems like too many!

Can you suggest anything else?

May the IT Gods bless you and yours for seven generations to come.

Pidgy

[pidgygoesmeh]

Trev? Are you there?

Could anyone help? I'd be so grateful...