Sending command to program

[Votan]

I do not know what did I do. Until two days ago, I could type in the URL in the Start-Run field and that was enough to take me to the webpage. Now I get the message:

"There was a problem sending the command to the program"

and the browser opens blank page with nothing in the address field. The same message shows up for any URL whether it begins with http or with www. If I type in the name of a file on my disk, the file runs normally, only URL do not run. Virus checked, negative. The URL runs well if it is entered in the address field of the browser (IE6 and all updates installed)

Any hint?

[craigmodius]

Do you use Zone Alarm as a firewall?

I googled this up or this a little ways down.

[Votan]

Do you use Zone Alarm as a firewall?

I googled this up or this a little ways down.

I kept experimenting with the problem since I posted the question. I hoped I could identify the cause but nothing came out other than the observation that at times it works at other times it does not work. I read the posts in the references you provided and I implemented the proposed solution of the first URL. So far it seems working without problems. Thanks for the references.

[craigmodius]

interesting that Zone Alarm seems to be the culprit.

did you upgrade to ZA 5 and then this started happening? Other posts here have been mentioning problems with ZA5 and the included AntiVirus monitor.

My ZA5 is working OK, knock on wood, but I'm just wondering if this is another bug to look out for.

[Votan]

interesting that Zone Alarm seems to be the culprit.

did you upgrade to ZA 5 and then this started happening? Other posts here have been mentioning problems with ZA5 and the included AntiVirus monitor.

My ZA5 is working OK, knock on wood, but I'm just wondering if this is another bug to look out for.

I became particularly curious about this problem after I read your comment. Yes I have ZA5. I reproduced my experimentation and expanded my search to identify the culpable software. Here is the synopsis:

I removed Windows Explorer and Real Player from ZA Programs, and I removed the trusted address 0.0.0.0. I cleared History, Temporary Internet Files, Cookies, and I deleted all the content of the folder History, then I turn the conputer off and I rebooted again. I got the following message from ZA:

Windows Explorer is trying to access the internet.
Validation: Not available in ZoneAlarm
Application: Explorer.EXE
Destination IP: 239.255.255.250:Port 1900

I blocked all options of Windows Explorer in ZA and Traced the address of the destination. This is the finding:

OrgName: Internet Assigned Numbers Authority
OrgID: IANA
Address: 4676 Admiralty Way, Suite 330
City: Marina del Rey
StateProv: CA
PostalCode: 90292-6695
Country: US

NetRange: 224.0.0.0 - 239.255.255.255
CIDR: 224.0.0.0/4
NetName: MCAST-NET
NetHandle: NET-224-0-0-0-1
Parent:
NetType: IANA Special Use
NameServer: FLAG.EP.NET
NameServer: STRUL.STUPI.SE
NameServer: NS.ISI.EDU
NameServer: NIC.NEAR.NET
Comment: This block is reserved for special purposes.
Comment: Please see RFC 3171 for additional information.
Comment:
RegDate: 1991-05-22
Updated: 2002-09-16

OrgAbuseHandle: IANA-IP-ARIN
OrgAbuseName: Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Number
OrgAbusePhone: +1-310-301-5820
OrgAbuseEmail: [email protected]

OrgTechHandle: IANA-IP-ARIN
OrgTechName: Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Number
OrgTechPhone: +1-310-301-5820
OrgTechEmail: [email protected]

# ARIN WHOIS database, last updated 2004-06-01 19:15
# Enter ? for additional hints on searching ARIN's WHOIS database.

Now, I went to Start-Run and I typed www.start.earthlink.net. It did not go, instead I got the infamous message "There was a problem sending the command to the program."

I went back to ZA and allowd Windows Explorer to have access to Trusted zone only, all the other options are blocked, and I designated the trusted zone by the address 0.0.0.0 in the firewall. Then I went back to Start-Run and typed www.start.earthlink.net. This time the webpage opened without a problem.

Conclusion: ZA is the culprit. It needs a carrot to run