No internet access

[rdmaloyjr]

I installed PC Tools fw and lost internet access. I used the default settings. When my programs asked for internet access I clicked "allow" with "remember this" checked. After uninstalling I was left without internet access. I'm not the only one this happened to.

I'm very interested in the fw & want to be able to use it. I use avast! anti-virus & Windows Defender on Xp sp2. I have DSL internet.

[AChen]

Hi rdmaloyjr,

In this version of PC Tools Firewall Plus there are two filtering mechanisms

1. Application filtering - Allow/block applications

2. Network Packet filtering - lower level filtering that allow/block network protocol based on the Filtering rules.

In the current version, the Application Rules and the Filtering Rules are detached. What you might be facing is that you allow an application which tries to use protocols that are not allowed by the Filtering Rules, so the application is allowed but will partially work. In future versions we will implement the rules in a way that if an application is allowed then the network filtering rules for it will be automatically updated (for this application only)

In this version though you can try to determine which rule blocks your application and edit the Filtering rules to allow it. We can try to help you with it if you just tell us which application’s can not access the Internet.

[rdmaloyjr]

Hi rdmaloyjr,

In this version though you can try to determine which rule blocks your application and edit the Filtering rules to allow it. We can try to help you with it if you just tell us which application’s can not access the Internet.

AChen,

All applications that I allowed internet access couldn't access the internet. No internet access at all. Just as I said in my first post.

I also said I wasn't the only one to have this problem with PC Tools fw: http://forum.avast.com/index.php?PHPSESSID=0d9313b1b76bb879fc9abef98eb2ae 93&topic=9671.msg211361#msg211361
(Scroll up to see previous post & you will see he is referring to PC Tools fw)

I changed all filtering rules that were blocked by default to allow, but still no internet access.

[AChen]

To help us further, we will need a log file from you.

However, I will first need to send you a file in order to receive this log file.

Can you please provide me with your email address (please send via PM) so I can send you the file. Once you receive this file, please follow the instructions below:

1. Please double click on the registry file IncreaseLog.reg this will increase the log level.

2. Restart the Firewall.

3. Send us PCTFW.log.txt located c:\Program Files\PC Tools Firewall Plus\ directory

I will then get back to you with additional information.

[rdmaloyjr]

Since PC Tools fw is based on Look n Stop, can this be the answer to my problem connecting to the internet: http://www.looknstop.com/En/faq_problems.htm#CanNoConnect

[AChen]

We will look into this and get back to you.

[AChen]

Firewall Plus does not have an importing/exporting function. This will be added to a future version. We can however create a Rule to allow your internet connection, but we are unable to determine which Rule is blocking the internet access.

To test this, you can test which rules is blocking the Internet:

1. Go to "Filtering Rules" and click on 'Add'
2. Make sure none of the checkboxes are ticked and click on 'Next'
3. Tick the checkbox for 'Allow' and click 'Next'
4. Choose a name for this Rule (or default ---) and click 'Finished'
5. Click on 'Filtering Rules', select (default --- or the Rule name you have just created) and click 'Down' and "Apply".
6. Keep doing this until you get the internet connection back. This will determine which Rule is causing the problem. Please let us know the Rule.


Important - Make sure you delete this rule once you have finished.

[rdmaloyjr]

Firewall Plus does not have an importing/exporting function. This will be added to a future version. We can however create a Rule to allow your internet connection, but we are unable to determine which Rule is blocking the internet access.

To test this, you can test which rules is blocking the Internet:

1. Go to "Filtering Rules" and click on 'Add'
2. Make sure none of the checkboxes are ticked and click on 'Next'
3. Tick the checkbox for 'Allow' and click 'Next'
4. Choose a name for this Rule (or default ---) and click 'Finished'
5. Click on 'Filtering Rules', select (default --- or the Rule name you have just created) and click 'Down' and "Apply".
6. Keep doing this until you get the internet connection back. This will determine which Rule is causing the problem. Please let us know the Rule.


Important - Make sure you delete this rule once you have finished.

I tried this and still couldn't get internet access.

The set up says any firewall on this computer will be disabled. Out of curiosity I turned off PC Tools Firewall & turned Ashampoo Firewall back on. Internet access!!! Turned Ashampoo off & PCT fw on. Still have internet access!!! Restart and no internet access. :-(

The only way I can have internet access with PCT fw is to turn on Ashampoo fw then turn it back off. (don't want to have both on for long as they might conflict & get BSOD)

Why?????

PCT Plus passes Shields Up with default settings. PCT Plus uses about 4mb of RAM. I like this firewall, please fix this internet access problem.

[rdmaloyjr]

I got the Smart Update to 1.0.0.9 & now nothing shows in logs. Is PCT Plus filtering any packets?

[rdmaloyjr]

Logs are showing now.

[Simon Clausen]

Running two active firewalls at the same time is probably not advisable, can you please try uninstalling the other firewall for now and just try PC Tools FP on it's own to isolate the problem? If that doesn't work you can always reinstall the other one back.

Simon

[rdmaloyjr]

Running two active firewalls at the same time is probably not advisable, can you please try uninstalling the other firewall for now and just try PC Tools FP on it's own to isolate the problem? If that doesn't work you can always reinstall the other one back.

Simon

As I already said I shut off Ashampoo fw as soon as I can because running two fw at the same time can result in conflicts. Please reread my post.

At the start of installation of PCT fw Plus a notice is displayed that any fw already installed will be disabled. I also said this in my last post to indicate that Ashampoo fw shouldn't be the problem. Again, reread my last post.

One other person that had this problem of no internet access with PCT fw Plus had to do a system restore after uninstalling PCT fw Plus in order to get internet access back. He was using the built in XP fw & it was shut off. I don't want to have to do that. By turning Ashampoo on I get internet back.

With Ashampoo fw turned off & disabled from start ups I still don't get inernet access. With Ashampoo off & disabled from start ups I don't see how it can be a problem.

[clweb]

Today I installed a WiFi PCI card (link to the router, was wird before) and got no Internet access.
After trying to find the rule with the checkbox method, I notice it was the last rule 'Block all other packets' at the end of the list.
I was trying to add logging to this rule to see what blocks, but now with logging added to the rule I have Internet access again !

Strange, heh ??:confused:

[Phant0m``]

Having two or more 3rd party-software firewall installs can lead to such problems, merely disabling current software firewalls usually isn’t significant enough… And when you finally do uninstall one of them, the chances are that you likely be faced with no-internet.

[solcroft]

I have been encountering the same problem, and will keep my post as brief as possible because I am currently in a state of extreme frustration at this firewall.

The firewall will NOT let me access the internet no matter what I do. Enabling logging of all the rule options reveals that the "All other packets" rule is the cause for this. It consistently blocks 3 kinds of packets, which I have attached screenshots of. The ONLY way I am able to access the internet, short of turning off the firewall or disabling the "All other packets" rule, is to create a rule that defines the protocol and ethernet type as "Other". Trying to add any other detail to this rule instantly blocks net access. And with this rule created, the firewall acts as though it weren't there by allowing any and all traffic in and out of the system, just as if I had turned it off.

This makes absolutely, utterly zero sense.

I am on an ADSL connection. I use a USB ADSL modem, and Windows XP SP2 Home Edition reports my connection as WAN Miniport (PPPoE), whatever that means.

Please advise, and thanks.

[hdavid]

We are looking into the specific problem you have mentioned and will update you know as soon as possible with our findings. I’m sorry about you frustration but must admit that you input is very valuable so you effort wasn’t for nothing.

[rdmaloyjr]

Running two active firewalls at the same time is probably not advisable, can you please try uninstalling the other firewall for now and just try PC Tools FP on it's own to isolate the problem? If that doesn't work you can always reinstall the other one back.

Simon

At the risk of having to do a system restore I took your advice & uninstalled Ashampoo fw. It worked, I have internet access with no problems.:) I don't think there was a conflict with Ashampoo, it seems Ashampoo fw has a component that won't allow internet access until Ashampoo fw is up & running. I haven't seen anything about this on Ashampoo's wesbite. It is a very good idea for internet access to be blocked until the firewall is up & running. I hope you will consider this feature for PC Tools Firewall Plus, but please make it known to all that may download PC Tools Firewall Plus.

I have been through system restore before. Some file locations are changed, some software won't function & has to be reinstalled and other software disappears. Also software that wasn't on computer at the restore time won't be there, of course. It can be a lot of work.

Thank you for all the help Chen & you have offered.

I hope the others that don't have internet access with PC Tools Firewall Plus will find a solution. My experience with Jetico fw may be of some help: I put Jetico fw on both of my computers & only one had internet access. On Wilders Security Forum one person didn't have internet access with Jetico & it was the result of a software (don't remember which) Jetico didn't like. I compared the software on both of my computers & the only difference was MSN software on the one that couldn't access the internet. Uninstalled MSN & instant internet access. Jetico was my favorite fw, but I never could get it configured for ms updates. So, I am here with PC Tools Firewall Plus. Ashampoo has problems with Firefox.

[Roadkill]

Out of curiosity I turned off PC Tools Firewall & turned Ashampoo Firewall back on. Internet access!!! Turned Ashampoo off & PCT fw on. Still have internet access!!! Restart and no internet access. :-(



You should never have two firewalls installed at the same time.