Scott,

See the link not sure what the solution is.

Here is a link that might be useful: pctools.com/forum

Hi, zep

Yes, after I posted my issue I did go over to the forum to see in more detail if anyone has this issue and if it was resolved. It seems -- from the several threads which include reference to this problem -- that no one got it resolved (or at least didn't report back if they did). I have already tried a complete uninstall/reinstall (using a newly downloaded copy of the FW), but nothing is improved. And whenever the error pops up it freezes the firewall. I can't right-click the icon in the tool tray nor can I get it to shut down via the Task Manager. The whole computer freezes up when I try the latter and I have to switch it off at the surge protector and restart the computer from scratch.

I may try installing my Kerio FW instead to see if that cooperates with the new cable modem, though I don't know if it's as efficient a FW as the PCTools version.

Thanks !

Scott

Scott if you install the Kerio firewall, or any other for that matter, it would be great if you posted your experience back here. I have a couple of tiny issues and never ever considered it might be the PC Tools firewall. I will watch with great interest.

Understand though that Kerio is a slight nagware program, you get a nag screen at each startup. However if you are like me and run 24/7 that will be a minor irritation.

Hi, owbist

Well, I got tired of the installing/uninstalling routine (and the constant re-starting of the computer -- I've been at this for 3 hours now !) and decided to uninstall PC Tools Firewall until further notice. Before doing so, however, I downloaded both Kerio's FW and one called Online Armor. Since I never tried the latter, I installed it after uninstalling PC's FW. It had a more extensive set-up procedure (most of it automated) but it's working out so far. (Btw, it's hard to type with one's fingers crossed.)

If something goes awry with OA's firewall, I'll switch back to Kerio.

Scott

Brief update (mainly for owbist's benefit !!) :-)

So far Online Armor free fw is working well. It does nag a little while learning what programs to allow/block, but it's no worse than any others I've tried. And I've had no other issues as yet with it. In fact, I just tried the Gibson Leaktest and it passed !! My Kerio and PC Tools fw's didn't (even though the latter two may be generally decent otherwise). Free ZA apparently doesn't pass either, but I can't really speak to that since I don't use it (because it conflicts with some other programs).

Online Armor may be a "keeper" ! :-)
Scott

Thanks for posting back Scott, very interesting. I had gone here to learn a bit. The comments under the comparison charts were as interesting/confusing as the tests themselves.