ZoneAlarm - unwanted update

[Cameronian]

I received a notice to update my ZoneAlarm free installation a couple of weeks ago. That's a good idea, I thought, so I clicked "Yes". After the usual whirring there appeared a new message to say that the update had been carried out but was awaiting a new version of Windows....... my old machine runs beautifully on 98. Now, every time I start my computer I get that same message offering to update my ZoneAlarm and I know that it is useless so, please, how do I stop it without uninstalling ZoneAlarm? I can't ask ZoneAlarm because, quite reasonably, they appear to want to talk only to people who have paid money for their product.

[Jofm5]

Sounds like you need to un-install the current version of zone alarm that you have and re-install from a previous version.

If you dont have the original binary you can find a historical list of them to download from here: Old Version of ZoneAlarm Download (http://www.oldapps.com/zonealarm.php)

Using add/remove programs in control panel will allow you to uninstall zone alarm - there may also be an uninstall icon withing the application folder on the start menu.

Cheers

[frostbite]

I had this - it complained that it couldn't install if I didn't get SP3 for XP first.

Not going to do that, thankyou.

[Cameronian]

Thanks for your reply, Jofm5. I tried that but it did just as it did the first time - it told me that there was an "important service update" available and I was immediately back in the same hole because it wouldn't let me ignore it. I cannot close the dialogue box and, should I download it, it will prompt me with the news that it is awaiting a newer version of Windows - every bloody time I turn the computer on! Perhaps I should ditch ZoneAlarm after all of the years for which I have been using it. Have you got any good recommendations for a trouble free alternative which will work well (and easily) with my Windows 98?

[Cameronian]

So what did you do, in the end, frostbite?

[In rerum natura]

To my limited knowledge, the last release of ZoneAlarm (free firewall only) compatible with Windows 9x was version 6.1.744.001 (approximately 10.0MB). My zlsSetup_6.1.744.001.exe installed on 98SE is time stamped 16th March 2006. There may be a later compatible version, I've not checked.

Physically disconnect machine from the network/Internet.
Uninstall ZoneAlarm.
Restart machine and install ZoneAlarm version compatible with 9x.

1. Type some name or leave at default. Skip Please type your email address (leave blank). Uncheck I want to register ZoneAlarm so I can download updates. Uncheck Inform me about important product and security news.
2. Click Next and check Accept.
3. Click Install. There is a slightly disconcerting delay.
4. There is no need to respond to any of the 4 survey questions, so just click Finish.
5. Yes, you want to start ZoneAlarm now.
6. Check Select ZoneAlarm (Award-winning firewall only).
7. Click Next. Click Finish. Click Finish. Click Done. Click OK to restart your computer.

Set tvdumpflags=8 should flash past during restart.

1. The License Wizard appears. Click No, Thank You.
2. Overview/Preferences/Check for Updates: Manually. Disregard the dire Warning! and click OK.
3. Close the ZoneAlarm window. Check Don't show this message again and click OK.

Reconnect the machine to the network/Internet. ZoneAlarm should now no longer check for updates. I was unable to replicate the problem as described. I tried installing the latest version of ZoneAlarm Suite (with the Conficker fix) on Windows 98SE and received the wrong Windows version message but then had no problem reverting to the original 9x version. I hope that setting Preferences/Check for Updates to Manually will solve the problem. I have suggested this complete uninstall/reinstall procedure because the OP said they were stuck with an uncloseable update window on each restart and it seemed best to start with a clean slate; it may not be necessary if they can just turn off Automatic Updates in the main ZoneAlarm preferences window and then restart.

My 98SE install of ZoneAlarm passes all the Gibson Research Corporation ShieldsUP!! tests (when both Internet and Trusted Zone sliders are set to High), so stick with it if possible.

[green granite]

When I tried to install zone alarm in Windows 7 I told me that I must have service pack one installed. So I'm lumbered with windows firewall. :ugh:

[Keef]

Last time I looked, ZoneAlarm said it wasn't available for Windows 7. My home machine still passes Gibson True Stealth with the windows firewall plus the one in the router.

[green granite]

Indeed it does Keef I was hoping it would work as a vista install. :(

[Tarq57]

Although I haven't tried them, being an XP user for a few years (and too dumb before that) see if you can score some older-version firewalls that work with '98.
Kerio 2.15 is highly regarded; nothing fancy but totally does the job, and is often used on more modern systems, too.
Jetico is a rules based firewall which is also highly regarded. I understand it is a little tricky to set up.
Not my forte, sorry.
I use PCTools firewall on XP, (doesn't work on 98) and it pretty much does everything for me.

[frostbite]

So what did you do, in the end, frostbite?

Nothing. Just kept going with the pre-update ZA.

[Cameronian]

It's time, I expect, to end my thread. I tried everything although I did slightly shortcut the probably excellent advice given to me by In rerum natura. In the end, after an inordinate amount of time and effort trying to make the bloody thing work, I capitulated and scrubbed Zone Alarm completely and installed the Tiny firewall which seems elegant, very economical of space and (fingers crossed) trouble free.

Thank you all for your efforts.

[mrsurrey]

how about just installing AVG for free? i think checkpoint or zonealarm have a free firewall as well - so you'd have your security for suite for free?

[Tarq57]

AVG doesn't work with '98. AVG system requirements. (http://www.avg.com.au/index.cfm?section=avg&action=avg_anti_virus_free_edition#tba3)

[In rerum natura]

Cameronian:

Sorry it didn't work ... pretty much a cargo cult solution.
It's getting harder and harder to maintain net connected Windows 98.
AVG Antivirus 7.5 works with 9x (I'm using it) but Grisoft support ends 30th April 2009, so that's me grawlixed. I am also running a paid-for 3 licence version of Spyware Doctor 4.1.0.1 on Windows 98. Not sure how much of a threat new viruses now pose for Windows 98. The only viruses AVG has ever detected on 98 have been Word macro viruses.

IRN

[Cameronian]

I hope, In rerum natura, that the bad boys may have mostly forgotten us and our 98 - not even SE! I've been planning to look into a change to Avast anyway - though, as of this moment, I don't know what their situation is with respect to 98.
My Tiny firewall seems to be going fine. I update AVG every day but only run it once a week, in deference to the geriatric nature of my hard drive. I'm actually considering running it only once a month, while maintaining the daily update.
I update Spybot on Thursdays because they only seem to update it on Wednesdays and I run it now and again.
I run Crap Cleaner, or whatever politically correct moniker it has now, regularly - though perhaps only because its old name tickles me! I usually eliminate approaching 100Mb each week or so.
I've got a couple of newish machines downstairs but I like my 98 so don't even have them plugged in. We'll just have to see what happens, since the bean counters rule all.