I am guessing that you have windows XP- PC tools is conflicting with the Windows Firewall. You only need 1 firewall- disable Windows Firewall- it is just a 1 way firewall, you need a 2 way. Install PCtools or Zone alarm.

did you disable your windows firewall before you did the install of the PC tools firewall? if not it was quite possibly a conflict since you can not run 2 firewalls at the same time.

If not then it sounds like something you have now installed on your pc does not play well with the pc tools product. Which sometimes happens for reasons unknown they just conflict.

No, I didn't disable Windows FW first. I thought I should remove it too but the page on PC Tools said Windows FW would be removed during installation.

I'm using XP-sp2, IE6, AVG-8 plus all the recommended malware. Maybe I'll do the Windows FW uninstal and try it again. I know I should have a 2way FW.

Just didn't want to push my luck because this is the only computer in the house. I'd have to post from the library and temp is in the low teens. Scary when nothing works and can't access this forum! Thanks Pamies and Ravencajun.

no you can not uninstall the windows firewall it is part of the operating system all you have to do is go to start> control panel > security center and at the firewall section turn OFF the windows firewall, that is it. Do that before you even turn on the other firewall. I would just disconnect from the internet once you have your firewall program downloaded, turn off the windows firewall, then do the install of the new firewall. then, I would shut down the pc, connect to internet cable, boot up and set up your firewall.
then go back to the security center area and make sure it is detecting that you have a firewall on and that the windows firewall is still turned off.

I feel sure I was informed during the set up that PC Tools firewall would disable the windows firewall. However play safe and go the route ravencajun suggests, no harm can come using that method.

Thanks, will do. I did mean turn off the W. firewall, not uninstall or remove, I know how to do that. PC Tools dl is still on my desktop so can easily follow these directions.

One more Q. Is the standard install OK, or do you suggest custom install for any reason? Thanks.

Mostly I will do a standard install, it includes all the features the creators feel we need. Some folks like to personalise installations of course, more power to them. You can usually make adjustments after the install if you get to look around a program and see features worth adding.

Good deal. Here goes....

Done and working fine. That was a quick easy fix. Thanks so much. I feel safer already.

Glad to read you have it all sorted out.

Well, that was short lived. Closed down to standby and couldn't get back on. Problems too numerous to even mention. At one point even my mouse pointer disappeared.

Several lockups and 2 reboots later I was able to get PC Tools off my computer. According to several posts on their forums, this is not unusual.

Thanks for the help but this FW is not for me. Definitely doesn't play nice with my computer.

Try the Ashampoo free firewall perhaps. Daylillydazed has spoken highly of it here on occasion.