Disabling Windows Firewall so we can access AOL
 

Okay, here we go.

this is not MY problem, but my friend is going through a divorce and she got the computer, she is now living elsewhere and she just now tried to go online.

No DSL, just the old fashioned 56k modem.

I hooked up all peripherals, she is able to go on her computer and do games and stuff, but when she tried to go online via AOL, she got a message.

Unable to access, Windows firewall, blah blah blah.

I went to Help and Support, and typed in Disable Windows Firewall, and the info came up, but when I went to click on the link to disable the firewall, it gave me.

"ACCESS ONLY BY ADMINISTRATOR'

I know what this means. She does not. I believe her husband has password protected the whole thing (he just sabotaged the back of the monitor but the computer store guy was able to fix the pin in the back of the computer.

So I left, came back home, went online and typed in

"How do you disable windows firewall", and it gave me the info and said to go to Control Panel and go to Advanced, etc. etc.

I will try and do this when I go back to where she is now staying.

My question is this.

If I'm able to disable the firewall, and get her online, well, how does one re-enable it so she doesn't get viruses, etc.

and will I BE able to disable the firewall if it's only allowed by the administrator.?

How does one change administrators on a password protected computer.

This is nasty stuff going on, and all she wants to do is to use this computer and go online.

She might get a broadband connection in the future, but for now, she just wants to use the AOL software and check her mail, etc.

Thanks for your help.

Melody

Maybe try netzero>>
free 10 hrs per month and if she likes it she can upgrade...
http://www.netzero.net/start/landing...www/free/index

oh here's some others that say they are free... I didn't have time to check thru them all.
http://www.freecenter.com/dialup.html

oh the metconnect is a free one from NY-
http://www.metconnect.com/about.html

Is the AOL free? or just what she happened to have handy?
I really wouldn't disable the firewall unless he set it very restrictive and that is why it isn't working for AOL.


Is there stuff she needs to save on the computer?
If not ...
If she has the install CD she could format the whole thing and start from scratch..
esp if she doesn't have his password
- but she could spend time trying to figure out the password by just trying dates words etc...that he might have used.

oh and here's a Microsoft page about it-
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/870890

Jo:

I'll put it bluntly, She's extremely computer illiterate. The aol software was already on the computer (from some time ago). The operating system is WINDOWS XP.

She just wants to go on the computer, go online, and go on facebook and some other sites. She doesn't care about watching videos or anything like that. For now, a 56 modem will suit her just fine.

The thing is SHOULD I DISABLE THE FIREWALL, or NOT?

She has no discs by the way. Nothing. Just the computer monitor and peripherals. THAT'S IT.

She can't reformat and reinstall anything.

She just wants to go online.

Do you think I can go to Control Panel, then disable the firewall so she can go online, AND THEN (AND I DON'T KNOW HOW TO DO THIS),

Put the firewall back on?

Can I make the computer unblock AOL so she can still have a firewall, but it doesn't block AOL??

How can I do this? Thanks much

Melody

the thing is, the firewall is what helps to protect a computer from viruses when you are on the internet.
and if hers is turned off she may go somewhere and end up with a problem.

why not try setting up the metconnect for her and see if it works without having to change anything else.

this page has a how to with screen shots.
http://www.metconnect.com/support.html

*************************************

Yes you could try the turning the firewall off and after AOL is connected - then turn it back on -to see if it stays connected or disconnects..

It's basically a option of firewall on or firewall off- just click the button for the setting you what.
go to- control panel / windows firewall

is there any anti virus program or other firewall installed ??

I really wouldn't go online at all anymore without some anti virus program installed.

but if you get the AOL connected the first place to go might be to get the AVG free anitvirus downloaded and then installed.
there are also free firewalls that are better than the windows one.

firewalls- free - top rated -
http://download.cnet.com/1770-20_4-0...=edRating4+asc


AV free top rated-
http://download.cnet.com/1770-20_4-0...=edRating4+asc

Jo:

thanks VERY much for the met connect stuff.

But it doesn't matter because I just came from there. Forget about the firewall things. I got this message, "connect the computer to a modem".

That's when I realized "holy cow, she doesn't have dsl, I should HAVE CONNECTED A PHONE LINE TO THE BACK OF THE TOWER.

She had absolutely no clue what this is about, so off we went to the store and I got the phone jack splitter thingee, and a phone wire, and connected it all.

AND THEN, I BROUGHT UP THE AOL SOFTWARE.

Well, it tells me that her software does not support free dial up, and can she please sign in with (one of the screen names in the AOL page). So I did as prompted. It said "Sign on (using a specific name). and was SUPPOSED TO PROMPT ME TO "view plans", starting at $11.99.

She said "no problem, let's do it'.

So we click on Sign on- it does its connecting thing and BINGO, I get a message that that particular screen name and password cannot connect to the internet (it was her son's screen name and password and it works just fine when he does it).

Then it prompts me to "find another internet connection"

There is no other internet connection.

I have no idea what to do next. I had to go home and eat my dinner.

I think the next time I go there, I'll just call AOL and maybe one of the guys can walk me through setting up a new account on her computer.

It's been SO LONG SINCE I USED DIAL UP, I have to go back in time and learn the stuff all over again.

You should have seen me on the floor trying to sign in. Her monitor is on a little table, the tower is on the floor, there is no mouse pad and there is Melody, age 61, sitting on the floor AND ACTUALLY GETTING UP AGAIN.

Never believed I could do it. (Get on the floor and get up again,lol)

But I did it.

Must be all those sprouts!!!

lol

Melody

here's the AOL page where you can ask questions -
http://help.aol.com/help/rfPlayerWid...mh=dm25.177783

Thanks Jo:

When I saw ALL THOSE STEPS, I said out loud (to myself).

Tell her to get a laptop or call up Cablevision and see if she can get just an Internet Connection (without having the phone line affected).

She can't get a dsl line because more than one family in the house shares the phone plan and they want no part of any Verizon DSL.

So I think the only option is to call up Cablevision and see if they can come and put in a modem and sign her up for just the internet service.

I'm looking into that for her.

If that doesn't work out, then I'll go there later, call up AOL, and have THE GUY WALK ME THROUGH THIS.

Not going to be her, she doesn't know a phone line from a co-axial cable.

lol

Hey, at least she's learning (as am I)

lol

Mel

Have you thought of getting her one of those USB plug ins that are offered by the cell phone companys?

If she is in an area that is convered by it, might solve the problem.

Try Googling "cell phone internet access" (omit the punctuations)

What would having a USB plug actually do?

By the way, I hooked her up to AOL, she signed up for dial up at $11.99 a month. She can't view videos, or watch anything online because of the SLOW speed, but at least she can check her email.

UNTIL SHE GETS HER DIVORCE.

Then, hopefully, she can go back to her house, and use the main computer. Right now, she's stuck living someplace else.

But she's online!!!!

lol

Melody

It's another way to connect to the internet - only it connects to cell phone carriers {with a monthly charge}.

Speed Sticks: Three Wireless USB Modems Reviewed
http://www.informationweek.com/news/...leID=208404374

more types & plans /fees info-
http://search.store.yahoo.net/cgi-bi...+modem&x=0&y=0