WIN XP wont allow me to use GOOGLE Mail or check my Roadrunner acct

[anandtech2009]

Im using WIN XP Pro and when I login to gmail, I CANT get the Standard view and must revert to the HTML view ALWAYS. This is something that began the last two weeks. Java is enabled in Firefox 2.0, all Zone Alarm settings are at medium. The Progress bar for gmail when logging in simply does not move left to right.

Also, when I enter my zip code on timewarnercable.com to access my account, NOTHING Happens and the page says "done" and nothing appears on the screen.

Finally, when logging into my Yahoo email acct, I am asked for my PW Every time a page refreshes. NONE of these things happen when using my Linux laptop or my work PC. Anyone have any idea what is going wrong in my WIN XP? Viral scans and ad-ware scans show the system clean. Thank you.

 

[heymrdj]

Have you tried another browser like Opera or Internet Explorer. Also go to www.java.com and install the newest java, and go to www.adobe.com and install the newest flash player. Without the respective MSN/Google toolbars they want to install now.

 

[KeypoX]

lol firefox 2? Time to upgrade http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/p...0.10&os=win&lang=en-US

 

[anandtech2009]

Have tried BOTH Opera and MSIE but still cant read google std gmail format. Also upgraded to Firefox 3.0 but still cant read gmail standard format. Also, could not even read mail in a yahoo acct as it said 'Session timed out" just when I accessed the email. Upgraded java and adobe flash:disgust: and still cant read std gmail or look at my roadrunner acct. Im typing this on an old Ubuntu box without any problems or upgrades. Must be something corrupt or hidden within MS XP in my one rig? What do you guys think? Thanks.

 

[MrChad]

Have you tried disabling Zone Alarm completely?

 

[corkyg]

Originally posted by: MrChad
Have you tried disabling Zone Alarm completely?

This, for sure! You can also customize your browser security settings to exempt those sites you fully trust.

 

[anandtech2009]

Ive disabled ZAlarm about halfway but it had no effect in allowing me to read standard view gmail or read my roadrunner acct or stop the continual prompts for yahoo passwords every time I strike a key. Ive used ZA for years and never had this problem which gradually crept up on my rig in the last few weeks. I did upgrade ZA a few years ago and lost all my internet connections so I stay with an older version of ZA that works. Im hesitant to disable ZA as I see intrusions about every 15 seconds with ZA active and we all know XP is the best virus magnet out there. Do you think re-installing XP would overwrite any creamed or corrupt files that could cause these problems? Is there anything Ive missed?

 

[anandtech2009]

If I disable ZA completely and that solves the problem then how do I protect my rig from intrusive malware?

Thank you.

 

[Genx87]

Originally posted by: anandtech2009
If I disable ZA completely and that solves the problem then how do I protect my rig from intrusive malware?

Thank you.

Dont run in with an admin account and stay away from shady sites. Also keep your AV upto date.

 

[MrChad]

As Genx87 mentioned, you can get away with an up-to-date virus scanner and the built-in Windows Firewall. Third-party firewalls always cause problems in my experience.

1. Keep your Windows install up-to-date. Enable Automatic Updates.
2. Keep your software up-to-date, especially browser plug-ins like Adobe Reader, Java, Flash, etc.
3. Run as a Limited user account.

 

[zerogear]

Originally posted by: anandtech2009
If I disable ZA completely and that solves the problem then how do I protect my rig from intrusive malware?

Thank you.

Try COMODO Firewall.

 

[corkyg]

Originally posted by: anandtech2009
If I disable ZA completely and that solves the problem then how do I protect my rig from intrusive malware?

Windows Defender (built in) does it just fine for me. Alternatively, Comodo works fine, and also Sunbelts descendent of Kerio.

 

[anandtech2009]

I use NOD32 currently but will try COMODO FW instead of ZAlarm. Its true that from time to time ZA has blocked my Inet access but dont know what triggered that ZAlarm block now. I dont upgrade ZA when it works either. Could WIN XP OS be at fault here?
Thank you gentlemen.

 

[anandtech2009]

I had no confidence that the Windows FWall was as effective as Zone Alarm.

 

[lxskllr]

I dropped ZA years ago due to the problems it caused. I used it for about 2 years, and I never got a year out of it before one of their updates broke something. In XP and over, I use the built in firewall. You might also want to get a router, even if you're the only machine on the network. It's worth the $60 or so for the dedicated firewall.

 

[anandtech2009]

I USE A LINKSYS ROUTER WRT-54G NOW WITH WEP128 AND HAVE USED ZA AND THE xp fIREWALL FOR YEARS WITHOUT PORBLEMS. IMM TAKE A CHANCE AND DROP ZA AND USE NOD32 AND MAYBE COMODO JUST TO GET MY RIG WEB ACCESS AGAIN. IF THIS IS DUE TO ZA, ITS THEN A ROYAL PAIN IN THE ASS AND HAS COMPAIBILITY ISSUES WITH XP.

 

[MrChad]

Originally posted by: anandtech2009
I had no confidence that the Windows FWall was as effective as Zone Alarm.

And yet you use a out-of-date web browser that has multiple unresolved security vulnerabilities.

 

[sourceninja]

I have always used a router and never ran a software firewall. When windows sp2 turned on the firewall built into xp I let it. I've never had a problem.

I also don't run a resident memory scanner for antivirus. I've never had a virus.

All those attacks Zone alarm reports are just normal harmless traffic that zone alarm pretends are malicious hackers trying to steal your dataz.

Keeping patched, behind a quality router, not running executable files you do not trust, and not running services with known exploits is enough.

 

[anandtech2009]

Firefox 3 doesnt support the extensions and add ons I use.

 

[anandtech2009]

I know what Im talking about because Im a black man. Yo!
'
Dont dascreaminate aginst me.