Word could not communicate with Zotero

Stefianie
I got the message “Word could not communicate with Zotero. Please ensure Firefox is running and try again.”
I use Office 2003 for Windows, Firefox v3.6.13 and I downloaded/installed Zotero 2.0.9 and Zotero winword integration 3.0b1
I installed, deinstalled, restarted, installed again, ..., I have no ideas anymore.
thanks for your help
  • adamsmith
    are you using Zone Alarm?
  • Stefianie
    yes
  • adamsmith
    http://www.zotero.org/support/word_processor_plugin_troubleshooting#communication_error1
  • Stefianie
    ForceField is not installed and
    I do not use several firefox profiles

    Zone Alarm version 9.2.058.000
  • adamsmith
    it's still almost certainly Zone alarm. Try de-installing and restarting.
  • Stefianie
    ok, thanks, it works.
    not directly, because after de-installing zone alarm I had no internet connection any more. so installing and again de-installing by using several 'cleaning' steps recommended on other websites.
  • ajlyon
    Glad this worked for you. The problem is that some security software is very aggressive and can break some of the ways that programs talk to each other; the programs are usually pretty obstinate and opaque, so it's not always easy to get them to allow Zotero to work.
  • Stefianie
    ok, but working without fire wall is probably also not wise, any recommendations (any alternative to zone alarm, which allows Zotero)?
  • adamsmith
    I don't use windows, but my impression was that the built-in firewall is perfectly fine for regular users by now- if anything, too much feedback and customizability is a bad idea. That, and obviously never surf the internet on an administator account - Mac and Linux won't let you do that by default, but for some reason MS still thinks it's a great idea to send people out into the world with their administrator accounts...
  • ajlyon
    I'm not a Windows tech support expert by any means, but the Windows built-in firewall is, as far as I know, wholly sufficient for most people's needs.
  • ajlyon
    Looks like adamsmith and I returned to the forums at the same time. Needless to say, I agree with him completely.
  • Simon
    edited February 13, 2011
    It may also be possible to reinstall ZoneAlarm without installing ForceField.

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