ZoneAlarm won't install

[bearcat9999]

I just purchased ZoneAlarm Security Suite 2005. It won't load. I put in the disk, go through setup, and get this error message:


C:\DOCUME~1\Evan\LOCALS~1\Temp|GLBC6C.tmp

Validation failed for C:\Windows\System 32\vsdata.dll

[AnnMarie]

See here (http://forum.zonelabs.org/zonelabs/board/message?board.id=inst&message.id=28621#M28621) bearcat9999.

[bearcat9999]

Thank you for referring me to this thread, but the "fix" posted there does not work. Reading down the thread, it quickly became evident that the "fix" does not work for anyone, period, and there is no better solution.

I bought ZoneAlarm because it got the highest rating from PC magazine....big mistake! Evidently, the company has been sold, and current owners treat customers like crap, provide no support.

[AnnMarie]

I am sorry to hear that bearcat9999. Are you able to return the software and get a refund or credit?

[bearcat9999]

Thanks, AnnMarie. I purchased ZoneAlarm through the Amazon.com website, from one of their third-party merchants. When the software wouldn't install, I came to CyberTech first, and you kindly referred me to a ZoneAlarm forum for help. From reading there, it appears as if ZoneAlarm has been sold to people who refuse to fix problems or provide support for their product....I feel really burned, since I relied upon PC Magazine's review and rating, saying ZoneAlarm was the best. At any rate, it quickly became obvious that this software shipped from the manufacturer with fatal flaws.

I contacted the third-party vendor, stating that the software was inherently flawed and would not install, and they sent me an email that looked like a form letter. I suspect they get this complaint a lot. They refused to refund my money, claiming that it would be illegal to do so!

I then called my bank, and told them I disputed the charge on my card. I followed up with a message directly to Amazon.com, and got a very nice apology. They appear to be saying that they will credit my card, and even gave me a $5.00 coupon to compensate me for the cost of shipping the software back to the vendor! Maybe you can get software cheaper elsewhere on the net, but it pays to deal with a big company that has a strong guarantee!

*****************************

I hope many people will join me in writing to places like Cnet, to help warn people against downloading ZoneAlarm!

*******************

Vendor Refused to refund:

Hello,

We would like to point out a few facts:

1. We have sold MANY of this item (even purchased copies to use on our
own computers) and absolutely no one else has ever had a problem with
installation so we would encourage you to fully read the instructions
and try again or if you have already done that then contact tech
support at the maker of the software.
2. Speaking of tech support at the maker of the software, we simply
sold you the software - we didn't create it so there is no reason to
be upset with us.
3. We can not legally give refunds on software. This is standard
practice throughout the entire industry(not just us) and is also the
policy at Amazon. Because in the past some people made a habit out of
copying software and then trying to return it for a refund, laws were
passed regarding this. Refunds are not allowed, only exchanges IF the
cd-rom is physically defective (in other words, it isn't recognized
when inserted into a cd-rom drive). However, we know that is not the
situation here.

So again, if you continue to have installation problems we can assure
you there is nothing wrong with the software itself. A variety of
support is available from the software maker at the following website
address:
http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/support/support.jsp

Best Regards,
Interport Trading
FactoryDistributor

(Evidently these jerks need to have explained to them the legal concept of a "warrant of merchantibility".)

************************************
Nice letter from Amazon.com:

Thank you for writing to us at Amazon.com.

I'm sorry to learn that the item you received was not as described.
You did the right thing by contacting the seller, and I regret that
this didn't resolve your concerns.

If you still want the item, you should know that Amazon.com does not
have a process to contact sellers on order-related issues. We are
ultimately unable to ship this item to you.

However, I have submitted an A-to-z Guarantee claim on your behalf
for "Zone Labs ZoneAlarm Security Suite 2005 [Firewall, AntiVirus,
Privacy, AntiSpam, AntiPhish" (#058-2592048-2718122).

Your credit card will be reimbursed directly for $18.26, the total
order cost including shipping fees.

Guarantee claims generally take from 1-2 weeks to process; you'll
receive an e-mail notification when it is complete.

For more information regarding the A-to-z Guarantee, please visit the
following URL:

http://www.amazon.com/o/tg/browse/-/537868/

We'll send you an e-mail confirming the amount once the refund has
been processed.

Completed refunds will be visible in the Order Summary of Your
Account in the section for Refunds and
Adjustments.

We do ask that you return the item to the seller (if possible).
Though we are not able to reimburse you beyond the order total, I
realize that there will be a cost for return shipping. With that in
mind, I am including a promotional certificate in the amount of $5.00
at the end of this message.

We are not able to share seller account information or status, and we
include Marketplace sellers among our customers. However, please
know that we do take the feedback and performance records of sellers
very seriously. We monitor seller performance and we will close an
account when warranted.

I hope that this solution works for you. Please let me apologize for
any inconvenience you may have experienced as a result of this
particular order. The vast majority of third-party orders are trouble-
free, but for the occasional one that doesn't work out, we are happy
to employ the A-to-z Guarantee.

Again, please accept our apology for this inconvenience. We value
your business, and we hope that you will continue to consider
Amazon.com for your online shopping needs.

[AnnMarie]

They refused to refund my money, claiming that it would be illegal to do so!

That's news to me but I am not a legal eagle. That being the case however, Symantec's suggestion here (http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2004042112001339?Open&src=bar_sch_nam&docid=2004102908393306&nsf=nav.nsf&view=5faa3ca6df6f549888256edd0061c0a4&dtype=&prod=&ver=&osv=&osv_lvl=) must be in breach of this "law". ;)

It sounds as though Amazon.com have come to the party though. Good on them and I'm glad you will get your money back bearcat9999. :)