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Inevitable

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pidgygoesmeh | 21:51 Tue 17th Jan 2006 | Technology
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Hi


Really hope someone can help - I have a Toshiba laptop with F-Secure 5.43 on it and for some reason for the last 2 weeks it won't allow me to access Gmail, MSN Hotmail, any F-Secure updates (it usually does automatic updates when I switch on)...


There is a firewall, which claims to be functioning, and the sites/programmes above are allowed through it.


I can't think of anything I've changed or done differently recently..


If anyone can help me, I'd be your IT slave forever!


Thanks

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- First off, what message do you get when you try to visit those sites mentioned? Eg: "Page can not be displayed".

- Does the F-Secure software give any indications of why it can't download updates?

- Can you get to the F-Secure web site - http://www.f-secure.com/

-- If so, I'd try their online virus scanner (link on the left) and see if that brings anything up. It could be a virus that's blocking access to F-Secure updates to prevent you finding a patch for it.


- Maybe try turning off the firewall for a second and see if the F-Secure software can then get through. I suspect it won't but sometimes firewalls can be suspect.

Also what firewall software are you using? If you say Norton I reserve the right to shout "Eureka!", although I promise not to run down the street naked! :-)


- If you can't access the F-Secure site, there are a few others out there including (only listing sites I trust):

http://housecall.trendmicro.com/
http://www.pandasoftware.com/products/activescan.htm
http://www3.ca.com/securityadvisor/virusinfo/scan.aspx


"I can't think of anything I've changed or done differently recently.."

Hmm, usually translates as "well, except for installing that really useful bit of software" perhaps? ;-) Or should I say - any kids been near the machine?

Anyway, the above should provide some pottential answers as to whats wrong.

Trev
Question Author

Trev! Thankyou so much! I am your IT slave.


I ran the F-Secure online scan on my machine.. Nothing doing. I also shut down the firewall and tried again, but that didn't work either :(


No Norton on my machine (I've heard bad things from techie freinds). No kids near my computer!


The message I get when I try and install virus definition updates is "F Secure cannot complete automatic updates: Error Code, 5". I had a look on their website and can't decode what that means.


The machine won't currently sign into MSN Messenger at all: Error code 80048820


The gmail site is weirdest - it just keeps trying to connect to the site and failing, then trying to connect and failing... 'Clicking' back and forth every 5 seconds or so.


You'll have to believe me that I didn't intall anything ;) There is, of course, the Stupidity Factor, where I did and I don't remember, but I checked under 'installed programmes' and there's nothing new.


The firewall was installed by a friend, and when I investigate it it just claims to be the "Windows Firewall".


There is one other clue to the mystery - when I do Ctrl+Alt+Del, there seem to be an awful lot of programmes running in the background that I have no clue what they are; approx. 50 'processes' altogether. Seems like too many!


Can you suggest anything else?


May the IT Gods bless you and yours for seven generations to come.


Pidgy

Question Author

Trev? Are you there?


Could anyone help? I'd be so grateful...

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