Can Anyone help me to choose a firewall for my PC? I am using the Norton Symantec Antivirus System and I would like to know if there are any problems in installing a firewall as well. Will it work alright at the side of the "Norton" and will a Zone Alarm firewall be OK. if so which one? as there are a number to choose from. Also, I am changing over to Broadband (Tiscali) so I must have a firewall with that I have been reliably informed, If there is someome who understands these things, I would be gratefull for any advice.
Thanks.
Hal.Evans.

personally id get a norton firewall they both work exellent together i no cos thats what i use ..........:thumbsup: used zone alarm in the past didnt really like it

zonealarm (free version) works fine...

...used it for ages on my PC's...

It is not something you just fire up and forget though as you need to keep your witts about you in case something "odd" asks for permission to access your net connection...

Also, it's essential to keep your windows update, up-to-date...

Hope that helps :)

Thanks boys for all your replies, I am now using a Norton Firewall and it works fine.

Just one more thing, is it safe to leave the Norton Systems Doctor on all night as it says to leave it on all the time, or does it mean just whilst I am using the computer?

On same subject, sort of, any experts out there tell me why some of my kids' games cease to work when windows is updated.

Rollercoaster Tycoon for example.

Help please:D

Zone Alarm will do the job and is a decent choice if you don't really understand how TCP/IP and firewalls work but it's by no means the best.

Personally I'd stay away from Norton Firewall and Norton Anti Virus. Go with a free anti virus program such as AVG.

Originally posted by markham
On same subject, sort of, any experts out there tell me why some of my kids' games cease to work when windows is updated.

Rollercoaster Tycoon for example.

Help please:D

Any ideas what updates were applied when you updated Windows? What version of Windows are you using?

Not sure what went on. One of my lads did it after I'd said, "OK, go for it."

Working Windows ME at moment.

Also tried to upgrade to XP, but mouse and keyboard don't work on that.:confused:

Go into Windows Update and you should be able to view an installation history - take a look at the dates and you should be able to work out what was installed from that.

As for keyboard and mouse - are they USB or PS/2 - basically what shape is the connector - small and round or a thin rectangle :)

In fact is your PC a branded one or has it been built by you/a friend from different components?

Thanks f******

Using USB

Branded comp (PB)

Been in Windows Update but can't find history. Rebooted last time!

:help:

I would do a sytem restore from just before you updated, that may sort it.

I have Windows ME at work and wouldn't dare try to upgrade it to XP as I have been told that all hardware should be XP compatable which isn't the case on older machines.
I am assuming it's an older machine :confused:

I would upgrade to Windows 2000, much more stable I am told.
Been meaning to do it at work for a while now.

On the subject of firewalls dont forget to configure it to accept Ads Hal :D

Originally posted by markham
Thanks f******

Using USB

Branded comp (PB)

Been in Windows Update but can't find history. Rebooted last time!

:help:

Haha, sorry to laugh but I used to do tech support for PB - horrible machines, lol.

Don't upgrade to XP - do a fresh install and it'll install the drivers for you - there is a fix actually but I can't remember it. You could try upgrading the keyboard driver from the PB support site before you try upgrading to XP. What machine is it - iMedia 4500 or something????

Thanks upholder

Thanks fnky

Yes, its an iMedia, and thanks for instilling me with confidence.:confused:

I'll do as you suggest and let you know if it blows up:cry:

Cheers all

They do what they say on the tin - it's just PB's way of locking software to the machine i.e. using a Tattoo and Master CD's causes no end of problems and some of the components they use e.g. motherboard and modem are particularly naff. Suppose they look ok though, lol :)

Don't forget I used to support them though so I'm bound to have some bad feeling towards 'em......... ;)

Thanks again all:thumbsup:

Sorry for hijacking your thread halevan, hope you get satisfaction for your query.:bigsmile: