This does not explain both Wifi and Wired LAN Connections failing. A full power cycle can never hurt. But Zone Alarm is the one answer which explains all of it. I had something like this happen with it too, but that was back when Blackice Firewall was still a product

ZA can lock down connectivity completely. and it can, in error/malfunction. I'll bet someone a dollar Olymoon ends up formatting and installing Windows again, because of it. (sorry) I do hope that is wrong though.

I would reinstall ZA and try to configure it from it's GUI to do nothing at all, or as little filtering as possible. and then get rid of it again.

 

Last edited: Jan 28, 2022

https://download.zonealarm.com/bin/inclient/ZA_HelpCenter/71595.htm
sound like it alot :

Connecting to the Internet fails after installation
If you are unable to connect to the Internet after installing ZoneAlarm security software, the first troubleshooting step is to determine whether ZoneAlarm security software is the cause. If you are unable to follow the steps below, for example, if you can't clear the Load ZoneAlarm security software at startup check box, contact ZoneAlarm technical support.

If you are having difficulty connecting to the Internet, first see whether ZoneAlarm is related to your Internet disconnection by trying to connect when ZoneAlarm is off:

Can you connect with ZoneAlarm off?

• If no (you cannot connect when ZoneAlarm is off): Your ZoneAlarm settings are not the cause of your connection problems. Check your router and cable connections or contact your Internet source support.
• If yes (you can connect when ZoneAlarm is off): Your ZoneAlarm settings may be the cause of your connection problem

1. Right-click the ZoneAlarm icon in the Windows taskbar notification area and choose Shutdown... Can you connect with ZoneAlarm off?
   • If no (you cannot connect when ZoneAlarm is off): Your ZoneAlarm settings are not the cause of your connection problems. Check your router and cable connections or contact your Internet source support.
   • If yes (you can connect when ZoneAlarm is off): Your ZoneAlarm settings may be the cause of your connection problem

 

That sounds more like Zone Labs saying "see, isn't our product!". Which is of course, meaningless. But to be fair, It's not usually the ZA settings. It is the *product* creating problems with vsmon or some operating system functionality it taps into.

I remember this really well from the time I had it happen. At the end of the Zone Labs Tech Support Rainbow is a pdf document about OSI model which tells you they don't know why you are screwed, but you are. Long ago, maybe they have changed.

a known working USB wifi interface would help to figure this one out.

 

Last edited: Jan 28, 2022

Step 1) Disable the adapter, and unplug it
Step 2) Reboot the router and computer (without adapter connected)
Step 3) Enable the adapter then plug it back in
It's possible something else joined the network (two connections cannot share the same IP address even though they can try to but it causes a conflict)
Step 4 you should now see the adapter show up , Connect as usual.

Things like iphones, smart TV, s etc can all do that when you switch them on. Failing that working, I need to check what brand of router you have,,

192.168.1.1 will get in to some.

OH.. Turn off ALL other wireless devices before doing the above.. if there IS a conflict, it might even clear it without a reboot.

 

Last edited: Jan 28, 2022

I haven't used ZA in years. nearly 20 or so.. It use to be OK until I moved on to Eset.

 

Man, that summary is 1000% correct about how it integrates (injects and changes) and does a PP job of leaving and restoring the integrity of the OS. I was lucky after essentially a clean, install, uninstall and another clean I was at least get back to OPs with a WIN7 32 box I had years ago. Started using Comodo (V10, not the best, but a decent free alternative) then started spending almost all my time on a MAC

 

Quite a while ago, I used to work for one of the main ISPs where I live (which I hope didn't just incriminate me as being an idiot? lol But seriously, it was a stepping stone, and I did see/learn a lot there). I can say botched firewall installs/uninstalls were common problems for breaking the internet.

Zone Alarm was definitely a common culprit, but it was also pretty widely used back then, and was also over 15 years ago now. Back all that time ago, ZA was notorious for causing networking issues like that (even outside of what I saw in my ISP experience). It's probably too late for Oly, as I'm sure he's already kicked off the reinstall by now, but I would have highly recommended what @grounder suggested too, and running a complete cleaner for ZA. Maybe even CCleaner after too might help.

Also will say, just my own experience (and why I also recommended it earlier) a router reboot has fixed odd issues of one computer not being able to connect.

Really though, it's most likely a partly installed ZA that's stuck lingering around still and fucking up your network. Again, the whole timing of having just installed ZA makes it very likely.

 

Zone Alarm fail can explain this.
Re install Zone Alarm (the same version).
It will probably work again ...

I remember having this with some firewalls : they DON'T remove their "low level hook" into the system when uninstalling .. blocking everything.

And check the Zone Alarm cleaner posted above too.

Good luck !

 

Windows 10: Reset TCP / IP Stack ?

https://grok.lsu.edu/article.aspx?articleid=19483

 

If it looks like a turd, smells like a turd and feels like a turd...then it must be Zone Alarm.

 

Yes, I tried to do this, thinking that za was not well uninstalled. (I've been using ZA for years without any problem)
But, they actually no more have off line installer. So, I was unable to download an installer from another computer and run it in mine.

As I said , the router is working perfectly, but even so I've done it with no result.

Conclusion, the problem was completely local, in the computer.
The incredible thing, that I had never seen before, was to see the computer able to scan an "view" wireless networks.
And at the same time, the ipconfig /all showing no network adapter...
A mystery.

So, as time was running and I had a lot to do, I just used win 10 reset utility.
It was very fast , like 40 mn or less.
Lan and wireless Networks are working now.
My personal data is always on an external drive , but also this reset function keeps the important folders intact, like my documents and so and generate an html list of the programs that have not been kept, so I don't need to remember all.

Luckily, this computer is almost new so there was not so much programs installed, as I'm being very selective lately.

Thanks you very much for all your comments and help, they will be useful for the next person who have a similar problem.

Have a nice week end

 

Gotta give it to you. I've seen a lot of weird disturbing stuff with Windows PC computers over decades but this one is high up there.
Glad you could fix it

 

ZA can screw up windows networking badly; but for the same reason makes it one of the most difficult to bypass software firewalls. (windows, anyway)

 

I've used ZA for years, in manual mode, and I know what I'm doing. I never had any problem with it before. And the problem occured after I uninstalled it. My guess is that something went wrong when uninstalling and left some modif deep in the system.

 

Go to "device manager", display > "show hidden peripherals"
And take a look if you see anything related to "zone alarm" into submenus

Hardware stack should be there

And check that too :
https://www.eehelp.com/question/how-to-install-teredo-tunneling-pseudo-interface/

 

I remember it happening to me very well, because you do not often end up reinstalling an OS after you uninstall something that was just working. Even though it was a long time ago. It's like it locks down to the most paranoid configuration on its way out the door.

 

Thank you. If it happens again I'll check that.

 

I don't know what's wrong but please be aware...

If possible (not recommended but do so), burn the laptop and don't use any device bought in your name and register domain or anything in your name or address, also take a back up the DB of AZ-AS.

I don't fcuking trust anyone and anybody.

Don't forget how KAT's owner Artem Vaulin got arrested.

Take care and stay safe @SAiNT