Hello Sven,
Thank you for the quick response. I hadn't been to the ZoneAlarm forum. I followed the procedure that was suggested there and, unfortunately, it didn't fix my problem. Now there has been a further development. In preparation for a trip, I got my laptop out. I updated and ran AdAware and Spybot. Then I installed recent Windows updates. I installed all except IE7 and the Windows Genuine Advantage. Now my laptop has the same connection problem when ZoneAlarm is active. So I assume the problem came with an XP update of the last few months, which conflicts with something else, likely my ZoneAlarm, ZoneAlarm settings, etc. I know that some others have the same problem because I've read of it in the Newsgroups, but no solution yet. 

Now that you have made me aware of the ZoneAlarm forum, I see others there who seem to have the same problem, losing connectivity, with ZoneAlarm activated, but after reading all the posts, I have seen no solution. Perhaps my problem could be fixed by uninstalling some Windows updates. I have never done that, but would try it if it allowed me to connect while still using a firewall. Or maybe by installing a previous version of ZoneAlarm. Since Microsoft now has it's own firewall, I assume Microsoft and ZoneAlarm are competitors and may be not anxious to make the other company's product work well. 
 
Again, thanks for all the help you provide. Remember that when you provide a solution for one person, many others read it and benefit from it. Best regards Bob


>From: Sven <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Re: [PCSOFT] ZoneAlarm Problem?
>
>Bob and Walter,
>
>From a quick check of the ZoneAlarm forum, other folks have had this 
>problem. It appears to be caused by some corrupted ZoneAlarm files. Here is 
>a listed fix from the "Access Issues" thread:
>
>"Sounds like the ZA database got corrupted. Try this:
>Boot your computer into the Safe Mode.
>Navigate to the c:\windows\internet logs folder.
>Delete the "backup.rdb" and "iamdb.rdb" files in the folder.
>Clean the Recycle Bin.
>Reboot into the normal mode.
>ZA will be just like new with no previous settings or data."
>
>>Sven Swanson, Sr.
>The NoSpin Group, Inc.
>

>From: "Bob Lendrim" <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Re: [PCSOFT] ZoneAlarm Problem?
>
>I read this message with interest because I seem to have the same problem, 
>but haven't seen any response yet.
>I use Cox Cable internet which comes in to a Motorola SB5120 modem. From the 
>modem it goes to a Belkin F5D5231-4 router. From the router it goes to the 
>built-in Intel PRO/100 VE NIC on my Intel motherboard running XP ProSP2 
>fully updated.
>When I first boot the computer, I can browse the net perfectly for a number 
>of hours. Then, for an unknown reason, I have trouble bringing up any other 
>web site. Sometimes it is very slow (maybe 30 seconds). Sometimes it will 
>not connect at all. Eventually I get the following message:
>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>The page cannot be displayed
>The page you are looking for is currently unavailable. The Web site might be 
>experiencing technical difficulties, or you may need to adjust your browser 
>settings.
>
>Sometimes I see the following at the bottom of MSIE:
>"Opening Page res: //c:\windows\system32\shdoccl.dll/dnserror.htm"
>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>If I shut down Zonealarm (6.5.737.000) Everything works perfectly. I 
>uninstalled Zonealarm, used a registry cleaner hoping to remove any residue, 
>and reinstalled it. The problem still exists. The computer is constantly 
>checked with Avast, AdAware, and Spybot. Used to use AdSubtract, now 
>uninstalled. The problem occurs with both IE6 and Slimbrowser. The problem 
>does not occcur on my laptop with much the same software connected to the 
>same router. The hosts file on each machine has only one entry: "127.0.0.1 
>localhost" . I have read quite a bit about this problem but haven't found a 
>solution.
>Thanks for any help. Bob

>
>>From: Walter Ermacora <[log in to unmask]>
>>Sent: Oct 13, 2006 2:35 AM
>>Subject: [PCSOFT] ZoneAlarm Problem?
>>For awhile now I've been having this problem with the latest version of 
>>ZoneAlarm Free edition on my Windows 2000 Pentium III computer.  When I 
>>connect to the internet I'm able to use it for a short period of time and 
>>after that the pages do not fully load or don't load at all.  Even when I 
>>try updating my software it says I am not connected.  Only when I shutdown 
>>ZoneAlarm everything works fine.  I have done a complete uninstall of the 
>>program and even installed the previous version, but to no avail.  Also, I 
>>went to ZoneAlarm's site, but could not find any answers.  Is this a 
>>ZoneAlarm problem or is it some sort of conflict with ZoneAlarm or another 
>>problem altogether?  Any help would be greatly appreciated.
>>Additional Details:
>>Compaq Deskpro EN 733MHz
>>384 MB of SDRAM
>>ZoneAlarm Free 6.5 

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