Let's start a Folding@Home team and help science understand proteins/find cures.

[Kyronea]

Yeah, that's what I was thinking too...I was merely trying to see if there was a way he could keep running it without any worries or risk. It's quite possible his firewall is simply the Windows Firewall which does all of jack at stopping anything.

[Ramsus]

Yeah, that's what I was thinking too...I was merely trying to see if there was a way he could keep running it without any worries or risk. It's quite possible his firewall is simply the Windows Firewall which does all of jack at stopping anything.

It's an almost inconsequential loss for a larger cause. If you really want to help Folding@Home, find out what software he was using and try reproducing the issue, then if you can, notify the developers. That way, they can add an entry to the FAQ warning people/suggesting a setup that won't cause conflicts (i.e. get firewall X instead of what you currently use) or maybe even find a workaround so users don't have to do a thing.

[Kyronea]

I'm certainly willing to do that. Once he returns and informs us of the firewall software he was using, I'll go ahead and try to reproduce the results. I suggest a few others try as well, just so we have enough repeatable instances to confirm or deny what occurred is in fact a conflict with Folding@Home.

[nightmare975]

I use AOL Firewall.

But if you guys have a firewall I could find thats better, (which is most likely anything) I'll be willing to try it.

[Kyronea]

I use Lavasoft Personal Firewall, though that costs 29.95 for one year of service, it's a damned good one.

Is this AOL Firewall free, or did it come with an AOL subscription?

[Ramsus]

http://daol.aol.com/safetycenter/firewall?sem=1&ncid=AOLACM00170000000053

Important things to know in addition to what firewall was used:

• Windows version (XP, XP SP2, 2000, 98, etc.)
• Hardware specs (if known, namely CPU speed and RAM size -- a computer brand name and model number also works)
• As much detail as to any errors or warnings involved. Direct quotes and even screenshots are best.
• Programs ran during the period in question, including Folding@Home.

As for firewalls on Windows, I can't give any advice, other than don't make sudden changes without letting the rest of your family know about it first and seeking some agreement. If you really don't care to do research and find something that you're fairly certain works well, then it's not worth the trouble. Just do regular backups and you'll be fine.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personal_firewall#Free_Firewall_Software