Windows OS issues

[MaineSkiLady]

Did anyone else get a Windows Update notification on 7/9? Well, seems like it was a new firewall, and it apparently has shut out my server I therefore have no internet until we (or they?) can get this issue resolved. Really stinks. Primarily affects those with Windows XP and this particular internet provider (big one).

So if I'm absent, I'm just dealing with inability to communicate, 21st century-style!! Hope I'm back on again soon :(
MSL

 

[Consuela]

Oh no! Not your gum-drop buttons!!! er, I mean internet.

I know what you mean. I feel so disconnected when I'm without internet or cell phone.

 

[Robyn]

Do you by chance have Zone Alarm on your computer? I heard about a problem with that this morning on another board. I'll post a link they've posted for a possible fix for you but I haven't a clue if they're really working.

https://download.zonealarm.com/bin/free/pressReleases/2008/LossOfInternetAccessIssue.html

 

[MaineSkiLady]

The problem was very widespread, affecting Windows XP/2000 (not Vista or other OS). The update was offered for download on 7/8, and the problems began yesterday, 7/9. That Zone Alarm info was spot-on, thanks Robyn. I basically just shut down my system for the rest of the day but decided to boot up again (for laughs) at around 4:30, and everything worked. This update was a Microsoft firewall that locked out many ISPs. IE was totally dead in the water, slowed way sooner than Firefox.

Well, this kind of rushes my decision to upgrade to Vista, even though I'd rather just chuck the whole ms/os and go mac :D

Apparently, this was a big scramble today @ microsoft. Hopefully fixed?

 

[Jilly]

I put that download into my office computers yesterday. But its XP pro, so maybe that's why I didn't see anything different. Home is Vista.

 

[MaineSkiLady]

^^ It didn't affect all ISP's - just depended on what kind of firewalls the ISP uses - if incompatible w/the ms updated firewall download.....CRASH. Verizon's a big US provider, and there's still a lot of Windows XP out there, so this was a big glitch. Guess it's solved??

 

[Jilly]

Geez, TG for Bell Canada!!

 

[ski diva]

All I can say is Yay Macs!

 

[MaineSkiLady]

All I can say is Yay Macs!

Yeah, no kidding. You and my son, who switched a year ago and never looked back. Maybe someday for me....old addage: you get what you pay for....

 

[ski diva]

I'm a Mac user from way back. In fact, the only PC I've used has been at my parents' house, and I found it totally confusing.

 

[MaineSkiLady]

PM for PC/MS fix

Well, after 2 days of hair-tearing, I think I've got it solved. If anyone else is having problems with PC and the latest Microsoft update disaster (i.e., all of a sudden issues as of 7/9, none prior), shoot me a pm, and I will forward instructions on what to do next. I got this info off the internet but confirmed it with my ISP customer service as the solution. Phew, exasperating couple of days.

Yeah, you Mac people have the right idea.....
Maybe next computer/next time for me...

 

[SnowHot]

I have a program I use for work that is not mac compatible or I'd be on a Mac right now.

I got the update, and though it caused a glitch in my email service, it was okay. Seems that they sent out a fix after they sent out the update, but if you got the update and it shut you down, you couldn't get the fix. Duh!!!

 

[MaineSkiLady]

My ISP people told me to TOTALLY DISABLE Windows Automatic Updates (from control panel) before even uninstalling the dreaded update. It was horrible, really messed up my system Big Time.