I feel like an idiot...

[Michael Carter]

I was thinking about the symptoms of my dead computer and started wondering if it wasn't the CMOS battery that had died instead of the computer.

That was the problem. After startup, it POST'ed and stopped were it did before, but striking the F2 key continued the startup this time. I adjusted the date and time and it doesn't seem any worse for wear.

Now I have a third computer on the network.

I have a question about the one that was resurected. I configured ZoneAlarm with the correct IP addresses for access with the firewall up, but this computer can't see the other two.

The other two can see each other and both can see the old computer.

All IP's have been double checked and permissions set, but it still doesn't see them.

If I shut down ZA, then everything is fine. Is anyone familiar with configuring ZA for a network? Anything I might have missed in the set-up?

[XOrionFE]

You have to allow Netbios traffic to see other computers and vice versa. You also have to have file and print sharing turned on in the network properties in order for it to be seen by other computers in a workgroup

[Tomlin]

If I shut down ZA, then everything is fine.

For this reason alone, I refuse to use ZA. I hate it. With a passion.

Moment of anger is over now, resume trouble shooting!

[Bob Reed]

Unless you are on the internet with this computer I would not use any firewalls. They cause way too many head aches.

[Michael Carter]

Another moment of stupid strikes.

I forgot to refresh the "My Network Places" after configuring ZA. Everyone sees everyone else now.

All of these systems are on the internet so I can access from the cockpit, the desktop, or the shop.

Eric, why don't you like ZA? I've been using it for years with no problems or intrusions. The updates are free and the support is good.

[alaxus]

Another moment of stupid strikes.

Eric, why don't you like ZA? I've been using it for years with no problems or intrusions. The updates are free and the support is good.

ZA hasnt really had a good track record, had lots of holes in the past.

http://www.google.com.au/search?hl=en&q=holes+in+zonealarm&btnG=Search&meta=

Nothing worse than having no firewall, is using one with holes, this gives you a false sense of security.

Being free and popular = good target for hackers.

If it does what you want, use it, but dont rely on it.
FWIW I use iptables.

[Tomlin]

Eric, why don't you like ZA? I've been using it for years with no problems or intrusions. The updates are free and the support is good.


Actually I didnt know of any 'holes' in its coverage, it's just that I was never able to get it to work well while running FS, always pausing my flights for while downloading wx every 15 minutes, even though I checked it as a safe download. That and other annoyances, that's all. I hate having to give permission for every page I go to. That said, I probably didnt know how to use it properly! :-]

[Michael Carter]

When it asks for permission for a program to access the internet that you recognize, you give it permission and tell it to remember the setting for the next time.

I didn't know about any holes either, but the reports are from four years ago. I didn't see anything recent.

[Tomlin]

Right, but for some reason it seemed to not remember the permission setting...

Regardless, Im glad you now have another PC, even if you really didnt need it. Now's a good time to try out the demo version of Luis' Instructor Station software! :-)

[Michael Carter]

Uh, I'll need you to refresh my memory. What software is that?

[Rodney]

Open questions to anyone, not directed.

So why doesn't your DSL/Cable modem/Router have a firewall? Is port 80 open on your firewall? Is your DMZ configured for external access from the internet? What port would an attack come from? Do you personnaly know of anyone or have you had an attack? The last time you had a virus, how did it happen? Not talking false/positives here. Things for you to ponder.

Not saying that firewalls are good or bad. Most folks feel a "sense of security" with one without ever understanding it's capability and use.

[WJH308]

I use Zone Alarm to keep programs from going outside, rather than keeping stuff from coming inside.

[BHawthorne]

At least it wasn't a loose power cable. I actually thought I had a bad mobo once too but diagnised it as CMOS battery also. I went to a used computer store and picked up a Macintosh awhile back that they was sure was dead. I just swapped in a different CMOS battery and was up and running MacOS X on it. I do a bit of Photoshop on that machine still. ;)

[Michael Carter]

I'll mostly be using the old machine to pull "My Documents" pictures from. It's nice have another machine you can run programs from without cluttering up the hard drive on my new machine.

My FS computer is mostly only FS, but PS and ITunes is also installed.

I've never had any viruses or attacks made on a computer I've owned. Seems I've been either careful enough or lucky enough to avoid all of the drama.

[alaxus]

Open questions to anyone, not directed.

So why doesn't your DSL/Cable modem/Router have a firewall?
It does but I dont use it, its limited.


Is port 80 open on your firewall? Yes.


Is your DMZ configured for external access from the internet?No. Though I have certain ports being forwaded on.


What port would an attack come from?all of the 65535 available to the PC
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_TCP_and_UDP_port_numbers


Do you personnaly know of anyone or have you had an attack?I average about 100+ intrusions per day, so says my intrusion detector (snort.) From all over the world.


The last time you had a virus, how did it happen?I average 10+ a week, from emails, bittorent, crack sites etc. I have a good antivirus, and a PC that I can afford to trash.


Not saying that firewalls are good or bad. Most folks feel a "sense of security" with one without ever understanding it's capability and use.Not many firewalls will tell you that they have been breached.

[luisgordo]

Uh, I'll need you to refresh my memory. What software is that?

http://luisgordo.googlepages.com/instructorstation

[Kennair]

I'm with Eric on this one. Use to use ZA but had so many issues with it when configuring new PC's to the network that I turned it off! I'm glad Vista's firewall supports both in and out monitoring so just use that on the sim. Office PC has none, just WinXP's and AV and never had an attack.

Ken.