Authors Pick Of The Week

Are you tired of sitting on the phone for technical support over some little computer problem? Is it annoying that it takes 20 minutes to get someone, then another 45 minutes just to solve the problem, OR NOT EVEN GET IT SOLVED AT ALL?

Here is My pick of the week:

protonic.com : fast free technical support

Yeah just what it says, Free Online Technical Support (Not always fast, but most of the time it is). They will help you with any problem you may have. Firewalls, Hardware, Software or even just building a computer.

Just for fun i sent a question asking why i can't run 2 firewalls at once, obviously i know why, but here is the message i sent and the great response i got back:

View Ticket Details: Ticket ID: 189527 (Mike Chrxxxxxx)

The question you asked about Security:

Why do my firewalls conflict with each other. I want Mcafee and Zone alarm together but it wont let me do that? Why is this? Can i get around this problem? Thanks, Mike

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Additional Information
General computer experience	Intermediate Level 3
Specific problem experience	Intermediate
Machine Information - (ID 4893)	Computer Name: Mikes PC Operating System: Windows Vista Ver. - (Unknown) Computer Make: Home built Model - (NA) Processor: Not Specified Processor Speed: Not Specified Memory: 2 GB. Hard Drive: 200 GB. Screen Resolution: 1024 by 768 Web Browser: Firefox * I have the Original Install / Setup disk. * I have a valid CD Key. * I built this computer myself. * This computer is a Desktop or Tower. * I connect to the Internet using a High Speed connection. Other Information: None

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Response:
Date Answered:	07-07 06:33am
Answer:	Hello Mike, Thank you for visiting protonic.com! My name is Doug and I will be assisting you with your question. I'm sorry, but in much the same way you cannot have two people driving a car at the same time, you do not want to attempt to run two firewalls at the same time. The problem lies in the fact that each firewall makes changes to your computers TCP/IP stack, and if both of them attempt to control your internet connection at the same time, nothing will work as each program tries to correct what the other is doing. There is no way to make both McAfee and Zone Alarm work at the same time, and even if you did, the enormous slow down in your surfing speed would far outweigh any slight increase in security you might see. Think of a Nascar driver and an Indy Car driver, both professional drivers, trying to steer the same car around a raceway..... One large crash after another would be the outcome. As all the techs here at protonic.com are 100% volunteers, the only pay we receive (or expect) is the satisfaction of helping others and your feedback. Please take the time to fill in the feedback form which is available from the "Rate my reply" link towards the bottom of this email. If you need any further assistance with this question, please feel free to use the reopen ticket link that is included within this email. If you have a new issue, please post it at http://www.protonic.com where it can be reviewed by all our techs. Thanks for visiting protonic.com! Doug Davison, Quality Assurance technician Doug@protonic.com http://www.protonic.com Ticket Number : 189527 Question Subject : Firewall Confliction Date Asked : July 6th Category : Security