i've realize that i am unable to access the other computers on my network when i have the winXP's firewall activated on any of the computers on the network. my question is: is there a way to configure winXP's firewall so that i can still access the computers on my network even with the firewall activated??

 

How is your network set up? Do you have a router that provides internet access to every PC, or do they access the internet via Internet Connection Sharing?

 

May I add my own question here? I just upgraded (I use that term loosely) from ME to XP on my home computer. I have yet to receive the CD with the first fixes on it, (which might fix the problem??) but right now when I right click on the monitors on the bottom of my desktop, and click disconnect, it won't do it. The only way to dissconnect is to unplug the modem from the wall, or shut down. (Other places in the software to disconnect don't work either)
Any ideas? Thanks.

 

any OS is an upgrade over ME!

 

I copy/paste'd your question to one of my buds on AIM...


"use a better in firewall not built in sh!t or wait till Service Pack 2 comes out for XP"

...

"just use zonealarm or blackice"

 

BlackIce is the most defeated firewall out there, so that's a bad choice alexf20c. I used to use AtGuard before they were bought out by Norton; but from what I hear the Norton version is better (in a more user friendly sense). I've never had a good time with ZoneAlarm or ZoneAlarm Pro either, not enough micromanagement for me and too buggy with XP.

For the original question, go to http://support.microsoft.com It's called Technet (although the cd version is better), and type in some keywords for the ICF. You'll probably find your answer there or goto MYITFORUM.COM which a lot of people like (but I think there are too many simpletons on that site).

 

I haven't the slightest clue when it comes to this stuff. I was just quoting what my friend said.

 

I haven't the slightest clue if you guys were answering my question or the thread originators. What good would a firewall do me just to get my modem to disconnect from the internet? It's my software not getting the command through to the modem. It's worked the last two years, and stopped the minute XP was loaded.

 

Windows XP's built-in firewall is designed to protect a single computer; if you turn it on you will lose the ability to connect to other computers on your network because the firewall is doing its job and preventing traffic that may be harmful to your computer. XP's ICF is simple and basic, but for a lot of people with a single PC at home it works fine. It will also work if you use the Internet Connection Sharing feature in XP and just turn it on for the network adapter that connects to the Internet.

More sophisticated firewall software will let you specify groups of addresses that are considered to be private (or safe) addresses. In this way you can tell the firewall that computers on your local network should be able to communicate freely whilst traffic from outside networks will be subject to the firewall's restrictions.

I've used both the free and the Pro versions of ZoneAlarm for years with XP and haven't had any difficulties. I wouldn't recommend BlackIce.

ZoneAlarm (and some other firewall software) can filter access by individual programs if you like (very handy to stop hostile programs like adware and spyware sending data out from your computer), though you may find that feature a bit much to begin with and want to turn it off.

 

If you turn off XP's firewall and then access your network drive, then turn back on the firewall, you will retain access to that particular network drive. Works for me. Kind of a hassle though.