Zone Alarm Disaster

bobcat · #1 04-05-12, 20:43

I originally posted this in the Security forum, but was advised to transfer it here. Apologies, I know nothing about Hijack, what it does or how it helps, so I was told to post the problem. I've got XP, I use Avast Free and the Windows firewall. I decided to dump Windows firewall and install Zone Alarm free, seemed straightforward enough but didn't turn out that way. It installed and I was told to reboot. When it booted up I had my usual Windows homepage, but all my programs were missing...the screen was blank apart from the countryside scene. I could only turn off by holding the button in and it came back on the same. I started in Safe Mode and tried to uninstall ZA with my Revo,but it wouldn't start. Luckily my System Restore did work and I'm now back where I was...ZA never again! I'd be obliged if anyone could tell me exactly what ZA did and, if it's likely to happen again if I try another firewall.

bricat · #2 04-05-12, 21:47

It's hard to say exactly what zonealarm did, did you download it from the official site ?
did you disable avast when you were installing ZA, was it just the firewall you installed or was it the security suite ?
it may have been just a corrupted d/load.

bobcat · #3 04-05-12, 22:09

Good evening bricat, yes got it from the official site...just the firewall...didn't disable Avast, don't recall it told me to.

bricat · #4 04-05-12, 22:19

It maybe didn't tell you to disable any anti virus, i always find that it is better to disable the AV when i'm doing any big installs, especially any security programs.
to be honest ZA wouldn't be my first choice of firewall to install, they do have a bit of a history with dodgy updates causing mayhem, my choice would be COMODO.