Problem with latest Zone Labs Free 'Zone Alarm' update

I have used Zone Alarm Firewall for several years but installing its latest update 55_062_11.exe was unsuccessful when it warned "Validation failed for C:\Windows\SYSTEM\VSUTIL.DLL" ; which now leaves me without firewall protection. I have checked and that .dll file is there! Has anyone any idea what this warning means? I did load Lavasoft's 'Ad-aware Personal' software and 'Spybot' very recently from PC World's web-site should this be relevant but only because they complement the Zone Alarm Firewall, rather acting as substitutes, don't they?

Kind regards,
Pat

 

Pat Alley--What version of Windows do you run? If XP, you can activate the Windows Firewall (from Control Panel|Windows Firewall). If you find it is already running, it may be that is your problem, since running two firewalls is not recommended. (AdAware and SpybotS&D are not firewalls, so no conflict there.)
Lots of discussion on this error message on the ZA Forum
http://forums.zonelabs.com/zonelabs/board?board.id=inst&page=24
Do you have any version of ZA still installed? What version? (Do a Search for ZLclient.exe|right click|Properties.)

 

I am running Windows Me Jim. Thankyou for all the information you provided. The Zone Lab forum provided a fix which involved issuing several DOS commands. Unfortunately in my case two of the commands proved unsuccessful and the original warning still came up so I cut my losses and installed Kerio Personal Firewall.

Kind regards,
Pat