Hello everyone! I have a little bit of a frustrating problem with my machine! Here's the scoop: I have been trying to log on to AOL but the connection always fails when trying to connect to the AOL network. I was unable to actually complete the log on process. I am not sure what to do from here, but I have two ideas: (connection issue or firewall issue). After some digging, I found out that I needed to have something called" the Remote Access Auto Connection Manager Service" (local computer) turned ON. When I go to Control Panel, Administration Tools, Services, the find Remote Access Auto Connection Mgr and tried to START it, I received this message: "Could not start the remote access auto manager service on local computer. Error 1717: The interface is unknown". Some other key information: A few days ago I put on Service Pack 1. Someone told me that this may have put some type of firewall (ZoneAlarm?). When I got Add/Remove programs, there isn't any Zone Alarm to even remove. However, could there be some hidden firewall? Please help, I am really confused! Thank you so much! Katie

Hi Katie SP1 includes a Firewall, which is XP's own FW from Microsoft. Not to be confuseed with any third party Firewall like Zone Alarm. You will find it among the Services in Administration Tools. Regarding your problem with Remote Access Auto Connection Mgr: When in Services, right click Remote Access Auto Connection Mgr, and choose Properties, then the tab Dependencies, and you will see which services need to be turned ON to make Remote Access Auto Connection Mgr work. HTH Nigel

Hi Nigel! Thank you for the reply! How do I get to admin tools for SP1? Also, does Remote Access Auto Connection Mgr need to be turned on in order to make this connection? Thank! K ;)

Amin tools are the same no matter if you have SP1, SP2 or none. They are service packs that just include security updates and enhancements to some programs like the firewall. A peek at the properties for Windows Firewall in admin tools tells me it is depending on Network Connections and Windows Management Instrumentation, which are depending on Remote Procedure Calls and Event Log. They all have to be turned on. Good luck Nigel

Hi Nigel! Ok, so I just clicked on "dependencies" and a little box came up and said: "Service Dependies -- Win32:The dependency service or group failed to start" Any ideas on where I should go from here? Thanks! -K :)

Hi Katie Actually no, since I don't use the built in firewall. Instead I use the free Sygate Personal FW, which provides better possibilities to specify which programs may use which port. If you look around in this and other forums, you will find that many (most?) users prefer to use a third party firewall. I'd suggest you take this approach for your own safety. Nigel