I got a WebCam for christmas! My brother got it so we can video chat. Problem is, in order to use MSN Messenger 4.7 (with WinXP)'s video chat facility, I have to disable my ZoneAlarm Pro Firewall. Does anyone know how I can configure ZA to let the video through? At the moment, messenger has full access (server and client) to all ports.
Any ideas?
Oh, the webcam is a logitech quickcam messenger (not that that should make any difference)
tech hat
XP and ZA are bad for each other… strongly advise against running this combination.
Secondly How do you know it is YOUR firewall that is the problem and not a possible firewall on the other end.
Firewalls are usually smart enough to figure things out if both parties are running the same ones.
/tech
Also, don’t forget that XP has it’s own built-in firewall (the effectiveness of which is for another thread). I’d bet a few bucks on MSN Messenger working with MS’s firewall, though. 
I have never been able to get webcam and messenger working … ever . Regardless of firewalls. Try Yahoo messenger
Trader - I know it’s my firewall, because everything works fine when I turn it off! What would you reccomend as an alternative firewall?
The reason I use MSN is because everyone I want to chat to uses MSN - and I’m not even going to try and explain to my mother how to change her setup to Yahoo.
Zagadka - Yes, it works fine if I leave XP’s firewall on, but turn off ZA. So at least I have some level of protection while chatting (though as you say, this may be a discussion for elsewhere)
ShadowWarrior
Tech
I recomend Nortons or Mcafee
/tech
I have not and will not ever use a firewall. They just cause many issues.
/rant
For you to resolve this issue you will need to find out what port the web cam is using through MSN
Maybe running
dos> Netstat -a
while chatting and then
dos>Netstat -a
When web camming to find out which port it is on.
The enable that particular port through ZA (no idea how you do this)
But thats what i would do.
unfortunately I have already looked into this - messenger is set up to have access to ALL ports, so it’s not that. 
What internet access method do you use? my firewall reports a large number of possible intrusions (and it distinguishes between harmless and harmful attempts) and as my cable gives an ‘always on’ connection, I’m not at all happy about leaving it unprotected.
ShadowWarrior,
Set your ZoneAlarm security slider to medium, make sure that Messenger has access and server rights.
Messenger prolyl requires a lot of port BUT the cam will only require 1.
I do not see why it would requie multiple ports for the one service.
Just want to correct some bad information.
No they aren’t.
No they aren’t.
Do you use a natbox/router like the linksys or netgear?
For Zone Alarm, if you know your brothers IP address, you can add it to your ‘local zone’ settings.
I agree with Joey G.
Always use a firewall with broadband. Zone Alarm FREE is a wonderful product, and PRO is more than worth the cost.
I could put my brother’s IP addy into ZA, I guess, but unfortunately it isn’t a permanent IP, and changes every so often.
I tried re-setting my security settings to medium but haven’t actually been able to test it yet as brother didn’t go online last night
will let you know how it goes
Had any luck?
whoops - forgot all about this thread - thanks Joey G, setting the internet security to medium worked perfectly. Any time you’re in the chessington area, I’ll gladly buy you a pint!
**Ah, glad to hear it.
Mmmmm… Beer.
did I mention beer?
only kidding 