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General discussion

McAfee has blocked my needed NETSCAPE; can you help me?

Feb 21, 2004 2:32AM PST

I have been using Netscape 7.02 with no problems. Last night, I purchased and installed McAfee?s Internet Security Suite 6.0 ? which controls viruses, provides Firewall protection, controls pop-ups, Spyware, and Spam, etc. Suddenly Netscape no longer functions. I can start it up, and I can go to its settings (such as Preferences) and I can see my Bookmarks...however, when I try to go to an internet address, I get the message ?could not find? this address. (It?s the same whether I type in an address or click on a bookmark.) Internet Explorer works OK ? but I really need and want to use Netscape. McAfee basically says that I should use IE ? but, again, I wish to use Netscape. There seems to be some sort of interference from McAfee. (Would Norton anti-virus software likely do the same?)I would APPRECIATE it VERY MUCH if someone could help me. (Note: I am just a high beginner.) T h a n k y o u!

Discussion is locked

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Re:McAfee has blocked my needed NETSCAPE; can you help me?
Feb 21, 2004 2:43AM PST

I hope Grif will see this post - I'll send him an e-mail as he is our "McAfee Expert" Happy

In the meantime, maybe you have a look in the McAfee Internet Security forum??

http://forums.mcafeehelp.com/index.php

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Mujilakama, A Few Things To Try
Feb 21, 2004 3:32AM PST

First, disable "Privacy Service". Please RIGHT click on the red "M" in the lower right corner, choose "Privacy Service", choose "shut down". Does that help?

Remember also, if you have the firewall enabled, you must give Netscape permission to access the internet. Frequently, the best way to do this is by clearing out the programs listed, then reconnect and allow them one by one. (Try setting it to "allow all" as a test to see if it fixes things.)

Here is a link to the McAfee Internet Security 6 User Guide. It's a PDF file so you'll need Acrobat Reader to view the page while in Internet Explorer. You can also download the file to your desktop to view offline by RIGHT clicking on the link below, choose "Save Target As", then direct the file to your desktop.:
http://download.mcafee.com/products/manuals/en-us/MIS_UserGuide_Sep03.pdf

You are correct, the new McAfee Internet Security 6 which uses Virus Scan Online is causing quite a few problems for many. It is designed so that Internet Explorer be the "default" browser. You might try setting Internet Explorer to be the "default", but use Netscape instead. McAfee uses Internet Explorer settings to update the product. Here is a direct link to the McAfee Internet Security Suite 6 forum:

http://forums.mcafeehelp.com/viewforum.php?f=43&topicdays=0&start=20

I haven't seen any particular problems with Netscape, or any other browser as long as they are allowed permission to access the firewall and the "Privacy Service" is disabled.

Hope this helps.

Grif

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Re:Mujilakama, A Few Things To Try
Feb 21, 2004 7:41AM PST

Thank you, Marianna and Grif.

I disabled the Privacy Service - and this did the trick; Netscape is now accessible. (Thank you!)

I actually contacted McAfee "support" (the only non-charge option was through a "chat" venue)...and, being hesitant to "disable" any feature (such as Privacy Service) fearing that my computer might then be vulnerable to some sort of attack, I asked the McAfee rep. what would result if I disabled Privacy Service. After about 3-4 minutes (while he apparently was busy with other clients) he typed back to me:
?Try it?. I then typed back my question again, indicating that I needed a more precise answer; several minutes later, he rudely typed to me: ?Disable it?.

Regarding the second question which I put to him (i.e., why is my Netscape now not working and what can I do to fix this problem), he (incorrectly) stated: ?You cannot use Netscape with McAfee?. (I later checked the CNET forums and discovered that I was not the only one to find McAfee ?support? to be lacking, uninformative, incorrect, and unhelpful.)

But, all is well that ends well. Thanks again for your assistance.

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Mujilakama, Good Job and Glad We Could Help...
Feb 21, 2004 7:51AM PST

I also moderate in the McAfee forums and we hear the same thing about the McAfee "support lines", both over the telephone and in "chat". (Many have been "on hold" for hours and are angry by the time they finally get someone.)Unfortunately, like many companies, McAfee has "farmed out" support to another country with techs that aren't well versed in the subject and are a little hard to understand.

Although the McAfee forum isn't perfect, if need be, you should be able to get some knowledgeable help there. In addition, there are a lot of good folks on these Cnet forums as well.

Congratulations and keep up the safe computing.

Grif

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Re:Mujilakama, Good Job and Glad We Could Help...
Feb 22, 2004 2:54AM PST

Thanks, again, Grif.

You mention the "McAfee Forum" which you moderate (and it sounds like my question might have been more appropriately placed there); where can I locate it? I didn't know such a forum existed. I always simply go to the CNET page which says something like "CNET Forums by Category"; I don't see a McAfee forum listed there. (And, by the way, are there also specific forums for Norton, PC-Cillin, and other companies?)

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Re:Re:Mujilakama, Good Job and Glad We Could Help...
Feb 22, 2004 3:10AM PST
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Re:McAfee has blocked my needed NETSCAPE; can you help me?
Feb 22, 2004 10:56AM PST

When I first bought *this* computer, 3 years ago, I decided that I would install the best virus software on the planet. I bought the MacAfee virus program. I was SOOOOO disappointed. . .I installed it. It crashed my computer, locked up my Internet and made me furious. I finally deleted it and wrote to the company to tell them what happened and that I wanted my money refunded. They gave me back my money and I went out and bought Norton.
Norton is absolutely wonderful. It does everything you want it to do and nothing you don't want it to do.
As a matter of fact, I was so happy with Norton, that I bought their system works. It's the best of the best!!

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Re:McAfee has blocked my needed NETSCAPE; can you help me?
Feb 22, 2004 11:59AM PST

This is the way I got a problem fixed between McAfee & a couple of apps from proxyconn.com: RIGHT-CLICK on the McAfee icon next to your system clock. Select PERSONAL FIREWALL. Select INTERNET APPLICATIONS. Scroll down until you locate the executable app (i.e., it will be an ".exe") for Netscape. If it is not in the list, and you do not know the name, then go to the desktop and right-click the icon you use to enter Netscape. Click Properties. You should be able to find the path in here, telling your PC where to go when you double-click the icon. Write down the name of the app itself. Go back to the Internet Applications list in Personal Firewall. Click on NEW ALLOWED APPLICATION. Enter the required information, and you should be on your way. By the way, McAfee runs off of a list of applications it automatically recognizes and grants immediate Web access, and it is NOT all-inclusive. So don't feel bad about it. The firewall is there to protect your PC from harm. Don't forget to check on product updates vis-a-vis what you bought from McAfee. I have an online subscription, and I get free updates a lot.