Help with internet\e mails & security please!

tinateaspoon

Just got a new laptop and having trouble with internet\e mail - can anyone help please?

If I go on line and browse (using Mozilla) but then open up Outlook Express to pick up e mails, it continually asks if I want to go on line, when clearly I am still on line! If I say no, e mails not sent\collected, if I say yes, it brings up an error - which is not surprising as already on line. Any suggestions?

I also have Zone Alarm pro loaded, but subscription has expired - and it keeps warning me - if I don't renew, will it still protect me in the basic "free" version or should I delete and download the free version?

Big thanks to anyone who can assist!

Chippy_Minton

What OS is this? Is it a dial-up connection or broadband? Try Control Panel - Internet Options - Connections - Never dial a connection. If no joy, post the exact prompts and error messages.

tinateaspoon

Thanks Chippy - Windows XP and on dial up. Have checked already on never dial a connection. Its really odd and very frustrating!

Chippy_Minton

And the connection is definitely not being hung up?

Is OE configured to connect to the same ISP for all your email accounts?

In OE, make sure File - Work Offline is not ticked.

There's more information on all these points at http://www.insideoe.com/tips/workoffline.htm

cheekyweegit

In OE, make sure File - Work Offline is not ticked.

Also check on your web page itself in both firefox and internet explorer under the "File" option at the top of the page it's not set to "Work offline". There will be a tick beside it on the right if it is set like this. To change this just click on it and the tick will disappear.

Chippy - you beat me to it !

tinateaspoon

Chippy_Minton wrote: »

And the connection is definitely not being hung up?

Is OE configured to connect to the same ISP for all your email accounts?

In OE, make sure File - Work Offline is not ticked.

There's more information on all these points at http://www.insideoe.com/tips/workoffline.htm

Thanks for the help, have un ticked and seemed to work OK last night - and that link was useful if a bit technical for me!

Do you know anything about the Zone Alarm pro problem - subscription expired and not planning to pay for it, so am I still protected, but just to a lesser degree?

tinateaspoon

cheekyweegit wrote: »

Also check on your web page itself in both firefox and internet explorer under the "File" option at the top of the page it's not set to "Work offline". There will be a tick beside it on the right if it is set like this. To change this just click on it and the tick will disappear.

Chippy - you beat me to it !

Thanks, seemed to work OK last night - but strange, my old computer had a tick and worked fine!

Chippy_Minton

tinateaspoon wrote: »

Do you know anything about the Zone Alarm pro problem - subscription expired and not planning to pay for it, so am I still protected, but just to a lesser degree?

Yes, however it won't update the spyware definitions, so you aren't protected against the latest spyware etc. You're better off uninstalling it and getting one of the free anti-spyware firewall programs.

tinateaspoon

Chippy_Minton wrote: »

Yes, however it won't update the spyware definitions, so you aren't protected against the latest spyware etc. You're better off uninstalling it and getting one of the free anti-spyware firewall programs.

That should be ok, as I'm using AVG and Spybot for that. Thanks