Firewalls

A day or two a go I started the PC and the Avast Free AntiVirus 5.0 indicated a program version update was available. So I let it update and it prompted a restart. A few minutes after restart, Comodo also prompted an update, which I let happen. It prompted a restart which I opted to delay. Later I noticed the Comodo icon in the system tray was absent so I started it manually.

Today, I started the PC which started fine and used it a while, before shutting down to go out. On my return I powered up, and the PC went as far as the Desktop pic and icons and in the system tray just a few minor icons, not Avast or Comodo. I could do nothing with it. After several restarts it did continue after an exceedingly long delay to start Avast and Comodo, and it was useable again. Later I restarted to see if it would go. Same thing.

By now I was suspecting Comodo or Avast, as both of these had updated. On uninstalling Comodo, that process involving a timely restart. I switched the Windows Firewall back on.

So

a) does anyone know of any conflicts between latest updates of these two programs,

b)Opine whether the Windows firewall is adequate with a Type 1 o2 router (no idea how to configure it anyway),

c) Recommend an alternative free firewall

Thanks

ZoneAlarm is pretty good, never used it with Avast, used to work OK with AVG free though.

Alternatively you could try the full Comodo suite: CIS v5 (free) which I think is really excellent.

Oh right - I didn't even realise there was a free Comodo suite. I guess parts of a suite are not going to conflict with each other!
Hmm get a little more feedback first, maybe on the Avast forums. Thanks though - something to consider.