Lost weather in system tray

  • Thread starter Thread starter Tom
  • Start date Start date
T

Tom

I'm running Windows XP and Comcast High Speed Internet is my service
provider.

For years I've been using a "weatherbug-like" program to track local
weather and temperatures in the system tray. A couple of days ago I had
to replace my cable modem. When I installed the new modem and connected
to the internet, Comcast recognized that I had a new modem and took me
thru the same process as a new user. Eventually I had to call Comcast
and read them the MAC address off the new modem before I could get
connected.

My web browsers work fine. I have no problem with Internet Explorer or
with Seamonkey. However, the weather software can not connect with the
internet and I don't understand why. I've even removed it and
reinstalled it, to no avail.

Any suggestions?

Tom
 
"Tom" wrote in message
news:rIadnXtHu6Rq_AvbnZ2dnUVZ_qarnZ2d@comcast.com...
> I'm running Windows XP and Comcast High Speed Internet is my service
> provider.
>
> For years I've been using a "weatherbug-like" program to track local
> weather and temperatures in the system tray. A couple of days ago I
> had to replace my cable modem. When I installed the new modem and
> connected to the internet, Comcast recognized that I had a new modem
> and took me thru the same process as a new user. Eventually I had to
> call Comcast and read them the MAC address off the new modem before I
> could get connected.


One, never let Comcast (or any ISP) install any software on your
computer regardless of how much they claim that it is required. It is
not required. "Through the same process as a new user" could mean they
installed their setup software on your computer. You can call them up
to have them register the new cable modem. The 1st level techs that
answer the support phone might not be able to handle it so push to get a
2nd or 3rd level tech. They want you to use their software to eliminate
them having to do the work. Apparently their software didn't work so an
upstream tech had to register the MAC address of your cable modem to
allow it to use their network.

Two, check your firewall. Try disabling it. Then see if your program
can get a network connection. If that fixes the problem, learn how to
use the firewall and its application rules for outbound connections.
 
It could be your firewall. Do you have ZoneAlarm or something similar? If
so check it's not specifically blocking access to the 'net by this
application.

Best wishes,

Jim

"Tom" <underhill26@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:rIadnXtHu6Rq_AvbnZ2dnUVZ_qarnZ2d@comcast.com...
> I'm running Windows XP and Comcast High Speed Internet is my service
> provider.
>
> For years I've been using a "weatherbug-like" program to track local
> weather and temperatures in the system tray. A couple of days ago I had
> to replace my cable modem. When I installed the new modem and connected
> to the internet, Comcast recognized that I had a new modem and took me
> thru the same process as a new user. Eventually I had to call Comcast and
> read them the MAC address off the new modem before I could get connected.
>
> My web browsers work fine. I have no problem with Internet Explorer or
> with Seamonkey. However, the weather software can not connect with the
> internet and I don't understand why. I've even removed it and reinstalled
> it, to no avail.
>
> Any suggestions?
>
> Tom
 
Vanguard wrote:
> "Tom" wrote in message news:rIadnXtHu6Rq_AvbnZ2dnUVZ_qarnZ2d@comcast.com...
>> I'm running Windows XP and Comcast High Speed Internet is my service
>> provider.
>>
>> For years I've been using a "weatherbug-like" program to track local
>> weather and temperatures in the system tray. A couple of days ago I
>> had to replace my cable modem. When I installed the new modem and
>> connected to the internet, Comcast recognized that I had a new modem
>> and took me thru the same process as a new user. Eventually I had to
>> call Comcast and read them the MAC address off the new modem before I
>> could get connected.
>
>
> One, never let Comcast (or any ISP) install any software on your
> computer regardless of how much they claim that it is required. It is
> not required. "Through the same process as a new user" could mean they
> installed their setup software on your computer. You can call them up
> to have them register the new cable modem. The 1st level techs that
> answer the support phone might not be able to handle it so push to get a
> 2nd or 3rd level tech. They want you to use their software to eliminate
> them having to do the work. Apparently their software didn't work so an
> upstream tech had to register the MAC address of your cable modem to
> allow it to use their network.
>
> Two, check your firewall. Try disabling it. Then see if your program
> can get a network connection. If that fixes the problem, learn how to
> use the firewall and its application rules for outbound connections.
>
I tried turning the firewall off already and it didn't make any difference.

Tom
 
Vanguard wrote:
> "Tom" wrote in message news:rIadnXtHu6Rq_AvbnZ2dnUVZ_qarnZ2d@comcast.com...
>> I'm running Windows XP and Comcast High Speed Internet is my service
>> provider.
>>
>> For years I've been using a "weatherbug-like" program to track local
>> weather and temperatures in the system tray. A couple of days ago I
>> had to replace my cable modem. When I installed the new modem and
>> connected to the internet, Comcast recognized that I had a new modem
>> and took me thru the same process as a new user. Eventually I had to
>> call Comcast and read them the MAC address off the new modem before I
>> could get connected.
>
>
> One, never let Comcast (or any ISP) install any software on your
> computer regardless of how much they claim that it is required. It is
> not required. "Through the same process as a new user" could mean they
> installed their setup software on your computer. You can call them up
> to have them register the new cable modem. The 1st level techs that
> answer the support phone might not be able to handle it so push to get a
> 2nd or 3rd level tech. They want you to use their software to eliminate
> them having to do the work. Apparently their software didn't work so an
> upstream tech had to register the MAC address of your cable modem to
> allow it to use their network.
>
> Two, check your firewall. Try disabling it. Then see if your program
> can get a network connection. If that fixes the problem, learn how to
> use the firewall and its application rules for outbound connections.
>
I tried turning the firewall off already and it didn't make any difference.

Tom
 
Jim Robin wrote:
> It could be your firewall. Do you have ZoneAlarm or something similar? If
> so check it's not specifically blocking access to the 'net by this
> application.
>
> Best wishes,
>
> Jim
>
> "Tom" <underhill26@comcast.net> wrote in message
> news:rIadnXtHu6Rq_AvbnZ2dnUVZ_qarnZ2d@comcast.com...
>> I'm running Windows XP and Comcast High Speed Internet is my service
>> provider.
>>
>> For years I've been using a "weatherbug-like" program to track local
>> weather and temperatures in the system tray. A couple of days ago I had
>> to replace my cable modem. When I installed the new modem and connected
>> to the internet, Comcast recognized that I had a new modem and took me
>> thru the same process as a new user. Eventually I had to call Comcast and
>> read them the MAC address off the new modem before I could get connected.
>>
>> My web browsers work fine. I have no problem with Internet Explorer or
>> with Seamonkey. However, the weather software can not connect with the
>> internet and I don't understand why. I've even removed it and reinstalled
>> it, to no avail.
>>
>> Any suggestions?
>>
>> Tom
>
>
I tried turning the firewall off already and it didn't make any difference.

Tom
 
"Tom" wrote in message
news:rIadnXtHu6Rq_AvbnZ2dnUVZ_qarnZ2d@comcast.com...
> I'm running Windows XP and Comcast High Speed Internet is my service
> provider.
>
> For years I've been using a "weatherbug-like" program to track local
> weather and temperatures in the system tray. A couple of days ago I
> had to replace my cable modem. When I installed the new modem and
> connected to the internet, Comcast recognized that I had a new modem
> and took me thru the same process as a new user. Eventually I had to
> call Comcast and read them the MAC address off the new modem before I
> could get connected.
>
> My web browsers work fine. I have no problem with Internet Explorer
> or with Seamonkey. However, the weather software can not connect with
> the internet and I don't understand why. I've even removed it and
> reinstalled it, to no avail.


Delete the app rule in the firewall for the weather program. Sometimes
the app changes but the firewall doesn't trigger but the new program
file doesn't match what got recorded before for the old version of that
program. Delete the app rule and run the weather app to see if the
firewall pops up a window asking you to permit a connection for that
program.

What firewall are you using?

What happens if you uninstall and reinstall the weather app?
 
Vanguard wrote:
> "Tom" wrote in message news:rIadnXtHu6Rq_AvbnZ2dnUVZ_qarnZ2d@comcast.com...
>> I'm running Windows XP and Comcast High Speed Internet is my service
>> provider.
>>
>> For years I've been using a "weatherbug-like" program to track local
>> weather and temperatures in the system tray. A couple of days ago I
>> had to replace my cable modem. When I installed the new modem and
>> connected to the internet, Comcast recognized that I had a new modem
>> and took me thru the same process as a new user. Eventually I had to
>> call Comcast and read them the MAC address off the new modem before I
>> could get connected.
>>
>> My web browsers work fine. I have no problem with Internet Explorer
>> or with Seamonkey. However, the weather software can not connect with
>> the internet and I don't understand why. I've even removed it and
>> reinstalled it, to no avail.
>
>
> Delete the app rule in the firewall for the weather program. Sometimes
> the app changes but the firewall doesn't trigger but the new program
> file doesn't match what got recorded before for the old version of that
> program. Delete the app rule and run the weather app to see if the
> firewall pops up a window asking you to permit a connection for that
> program.
>
> What firewall are you using?
>
> What happens if you uninstall and reinstall the weather app?
>
Did all that, to no avail. I've been working with a tech from Symantic
(Norton AVS) and I'm beginning to wonder if it really is the firewall.
I've entered new app rules for the apps that aren't working and it
doesn't seem to make any difference.

Also, yesterday I realized that my messengers (AIM, Yahoo Messenger)
aren't working now either because the Internet can't be reached from
those apps as well.

I'm thinking seriously about removing the cable modem driver and the
Comcast wizard and then reinstalling the modem driver. Since Comcast
now has the MAC number of my new modem in their database, I think things
should go OK. What do you think?

Tom
 
Vanguard wrote:
> "Tom" wrote in message news:rIadnXtHu6Rq_AvbnZ2dnUVZ_qarnZ2d@comcast.com...
>> I'm running Windows XP and Comcast High Speed Internet is my service
>> provider.
>>
>> For years I've been using a "weatherbug-like" program to track local
>> weather and temperatures in the system tray. A couple of days ago I
>> had to replace my cable modem. When I installed the new modem and
>> connected to the internet, Comcast recognized that I had a new modem
>> and took me thru the same process as a new user. Eventually I had to
>> call Comcast and read them the MAC address off the new modem before I
>> could get connected.
>>
>> My web browsers work fine. I have no problem with Internet Explorer
>> or with Seamonkey. However, the weather software can not connect with
>> the internet and I don't understand why. I've even removed it and
>> reinstalled it, to no avail.
>
>
> Delete the app rule in the firewall for the weather program. Sometimes
> the app changes but the firewall doesn't trigger but the new program
> file doesn't match what got recorded before for the old version of that
> program. Delete the app rule and run the weather app to see if the
> firewall pops up a window asking you to permit a connection for that
> program.
>
> What firewall are you using?
>
> What happens if you uninstall and reinstall the weather app?
>
I just realized that I can't reach the Internet from IE either. Since I
never use IE (I just use Seamonkey and/or Firefox) I didn't realize that
IE wasn't working. This keeps getting more interesting. Seamonkey and
Firefox work just fine.

Tom
 
"Tom" wrote in message
news:g9idnXPyo4F6eQXbnZ2dnUVZ_oWdnZ2d@comcast.com...
>
> Vanguard wrote:
>>
>> "Tom" wrote ...
>>>
>>> I'm running Windows XP and Comcast High Speed Internet is my service
>>> provider.
>>>
>>> For years I've been using a "weatherbug-like" program to track local
>>> weather and temperatures in the system tray. A couple of days ago I
>>> had to replace my cable modem. When I installed the new modem and
>>> connected to the internet, Comcast recognized that I had a new modem
>>> and took me thru the same process as a new user. Eventually I had
>>> to call Comcast and read them the MAC address off the new modem
>>> before I could get connected.
>>>
>>> My web browsers work fine. I have no problem with Internet Explorer
>>> or with Seamonkey. However, the weather software can not connect
>>> with the internet and I don't understand why. I've even removed it
>>> and reinstalled it, to no avail.
>>
>> Delete the app rule in the firewall for the weather program.
>> Sometimes the app changes but the firewall doesn't trigger but the
>> new program file doesn't match what got recorded before for the old
>> version of that program. Delete the app rule and run the weather app
>> to see if the firewall pops up a window asking you to permit a
>> connection for that program.
>>
>> What firewall are you using?
>>
>> What happens if you uninstall and reinstall the weather app?
>>
> I just realized that I can't reach the Internet from IE either. Since
> I never use IE (I just use Seamonkey and/or Firefox) I didn't realize
> that IE wasn't working. This keeps getting more interesting.
> Seamonkey and Firefox work just fine.
>
> Tom


Have you rebooted yet?
Have you disabled all firewalls (Norton and Windows firewalls)? Did you
reboot and then disable them to test connectivity?

Some firewalls work by using a transparent proxy. Even if they are
disabled, all traffic still passes through the proxy. If the proxy is
brain dead, nothing gets through it. Tried uninstalling Norton?

If Seamonkey, Firefox, ping, and nslookup all work then the problem
isn't with the driver, cable, modem, or anything else since those prove
that you have connectivity. Tried rebooting into Safe Mode yet?
 
Vanguard wrote:
> "Tom" wrote in message news:g9idnXPyo4F6eQXbnZ2dnUVZ_oWdnZ2d@comcast.com...
>>
>> Vanguard wrote:
>>>
>>> "Tom" wrote ...
>>>>
>>>> I'm running Windows XP and Comcast High Speed Internet is my service
>>>> provider.
>>>>
>>>> For years I've been using a "weatherbug-like" program to track local
>>>> weather and temperatures in the system tray. A couple of days ago I
>>>> had to replace my cable modem. When I installed the new modem and
>>>> connected to the internet, Comcast recognized that I had a new modem
>>>> and took me thru the same process as a new user. Eventually I had
>>>> to call Comcast and read them the MAC address off the new modem
>>>> before I could get connected.
>>>>
>>>> My web browsers work fine. I have no problem with Internet Explorer
>>>> or with Seamonkey. However, the weather software can not connect
>>>> with the internet and I don't understand why. I've even removed it
>>>> and reinstalled it, to no avail.
>>>
>>> Delete the app rule in the firewall for the weather program.
>>> Sometimes the app changes but the firewall doesn't trigger but the
>>> new program file doesn't match what got recorded before for the old
>>> version of that program. Delete the app rule and run the weather app
>>> to see if the firewall pops up a window asking you to permit a
>>> connection for that program.
>>>
>>> What firewall are you using?
>>>
>>> What happens if you uninstall and reinstall the weather app?
>>>
>> I just realized that I can't reach the Internet from IE either. Since
>> I never use IE (I just use Seamonkey and/or Firefox) I didn't realize
>> that IE wasn't working. This keeps getting more interesting.
>> Seamonkey and Firefox work just fine.
>>
>> Tom
>
>
> Have you rebooted yet?
> Have you disabled all firewalls (Norton and Windows firewalls)? Did you
> reboot and then disable them to test connectivity?
>
> Some firewalls work by using a transparent proxy. Even if they are
> disabled, all traffic still passes through the proxy. If the proxy is
> brain dead, nothing gets through it. Tried uninstalling Norton?
>
> If Seamonkey, Firefox, ping, and nslookup all work then the problem
> isn't with the driver, cable, modem, or anything else since those prove
> that you have connectivity. Tried rebooting into Safe Mode yet?
>

I have rebooted several times. Every time I make a change that I think
will solve the problem, I reboot.

I did disable both firewalls. No change in symptoms.

I haven't yet tried uninstalling NAV. I'll try that tomorrow.

Seamonkey and Firefox work fine. Ping from the command line doesn't
work. nslookup does work.

I did try rebooting in safe mode. No difference. Seamonkey and Firefox
still work fine and IE doesn't.

What if I were to try reinstalling IE7?

Tom
 
Vanguard wrote:
> "Tom" wrote in message news:g9idnXPyo4F6eQXbnZ2dnUVZ_oWdnZ2d@comcast.com...
>>
>> Vanguard wrote:
>>>
>>> "Tom" wrote ...
>>>>
>>>> I'm running Windows XP and Comcast High Speed Internet is my service
>>>> provider.
>>>>
>>>> For years I've been using a "weatherbug-like" program to track local
>>>> weather and temperatures in the system tray. A couple of days ago I
>>>> had to replace my cable modem. When I installed the new modem and
>>>> connected to the internet, Comcast recognized that I had a new modem
>>>> and took me thru the same process as a new user. Eventually I had
>>>> to call Comcast and read them the MAC address off the new modem
>>>> before I could get connected.
>>>>
>>>> My web browsers work fine. I have no problem with Internet Explorer
>>>> or with Seamonkey. However, the weather software can not connect
>>>> with the internet and I don't understand why. I've even removed it
>>>> and reinstalled it, to no avail.
>>>
>>> Delete the app rule in the firewall for the weather program.
>>> Sometimes the app changes but the firewall doesn't trigger but the
>>> new program file doesn't match what got recorded before for the old
>>> version of that program. Delete the app rule and run the weather app
>>> to see if the firewall pops up a window asking you to permit a
>>> connection for that program.
>>>
>>> What firewall are you using?
>>>
>>> What happens if you uninstall and reinstall the weather app?
>>>
>> I just realized that I can't reach the Internet from IE either. Since
>> I never use IE (I just use Seamonkey and/or Firefox) I didn't realize
>> that IE wasn't working. This keeps getting more interesting.
>> Seamonkey and Firefox work just fine.
>>
>> Tom
>
>
> Have you rebooted yet?
> Have you disabled all firewalls (Norton and Windows firewalls)? Did you
> reboot and then disable them to test connectivity?
>
> Some firewalls work by using a transparent proxy. Even if they are
> disabled, all traffic still passes through the proxy. If the proxy is
> brain dead, nothing gets through it. Tried uninstalling Norton?
>
> If Seamonkey, Firefox, ping, and nslookup all work then the problem
> isn't with the driver, cable, modem, or anything else since those prove
> that you have connectivity. Tried rebooting into Safe Mode yet?
>
I found the problem, thanks to the Network Diagnostics tool in Windows.
It told me that it could not successfully ping my Internet Explorer
Proxy Server. I'm thinking, "What proxy server?"

So I went into IE Tools > Internet Options > LAN settings and found the
box checked for "Use a proxy server for your LAN." I unchecked the box
and my problem went away!

I'm guessing the the so called Comcast Connection Wizard did this to me.
I sure spent a bunch of time over several days hunting this down.

Tom
 
"Tom" <underhill26@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:-sCdna4KWYLlMQTbnZ2dnUVZ_gudnZ2d@comcast.com...
> Ping from the command line doesn't work.

Not all hosts have ping enabled. For example, I can ping www.yahoo.com
but www.comcast.net won't respond to a ping. If it pings then you know
there is connectivity to the target host. If it doesn't ping, you don't
know if the is no connectivity or if that host doesn't respond to pings.

> What if I were to try reinstalling IE7?

Unless the weather app is an HTA (HTML Application), it doesn't use IE
to get a connection. It makes its own connection. However, maybe when
you open the app then it makes a connection (but then what was the point
for the tray icon?).
 
"Tom" wrote in message
news:w6CdnR0HZOr22AHbnZ2dnUVZ_oKhnZ2d@comcast.com...
> I found the problem, thanks to the Network Diagnostics tool in
> Windows. It told me that it could not successfully ping my Internet
> Explorer Proxy Server. I'm thinking, "What proxy server?"
>
> So I went into IE Tools > Internet Options > LAN settings and found
> the box checked for "Use a proxy server for your LAN." I unchecked
> the box and my problem went away!
>
> I'm guessing the the so called Comcast Connection Wizard did this to
> me. I sure spent a bunch of time over several days hunting this down.


I avoid ISP crapware like I avoid malware. I never let them install
their junk software on my computer despite how vocal or demanding they
are in professing that it is necessary. None of their software is
required to get an Internet connection. They use it to wizard the
user's way through getting the cable/DSL modem registered with the ISP
(so they will allow that device to use their network). That is their
way to reduce support calls and save some money. I just call them up
and tell them to register the cable modem. If the 1st level tech that
answered the phone doesn't understand then I have the call escalated to
reach someone who can get it done. The software does what someone at
the ISP can do but it's cheaper for them for you to use their software.
 
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