Hi there

I have just revived my old HP desktop, 1996 vintage. To do this I did a clean re-install after reformatting the HD. After several attempts I managed to get everthing working correctly and then downloaded AVG Anti-Virus and installed. No problems so far until I tried to download and install Outpost Firewall which seems to have screwed up my settings to my ISP. I cannot now get "BT pay as you go" to operate. IE is unable to connect and forces a closure and generates an error report for Microsoft. I did a "SFC" to check system files and 1 file needed restoring and tried again - no luck. Using Internet Options I have tried different settings etc and still no luck. Any suggestions would be really helpful.

Dave

Have you tried uninstalling Outpost Firewall to see if it can then connect (obviously without any security) ? Sometimes, if these programs are going to change settings, they'll backup your original settings and then restore them when you uninstall the application.

Let us know if that makes any difference

Thanks for your advice, DJNafey.

I did uninstal the Outpost, but was not able to get my connection to work using the settings which I knew were OK. I then decided to reformat my HD and re-instal using the floppy and Win98SE cd-rom. The first attempt was not very successful as it stopped in the setting up of the Hardware Devices and displayed the message, "Windows Protection Error - You need to restart. C:\Windows\System\vmm32.vxd - missing". After rebooting in "Safe Mode" I was able to search for it and it was on the C Drive, but was stiil unable to access it. The next attempt to re-install was slightly more successful as it went past the previous attempt but ran into problems in loading/finding lots of files and having to skip to continue, however it did run to the end. On rebooting, it displayed, "Vnetbios.vxd" was now missing. I now thought that there must be a problem with either the cd drive or cd-rom itself so I then cleaned the cd-rom drive laser and the cd-rom. I have just completed my last re-instal and it went through without any hitches. I will let you know how I get on.
Dave

OK, I'll look forward to your next update