Sarah Anne wrote:
[...]

To explain, I've followed these instructions:
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/djdohboy/seti.htm

Phew! That takes a ridiculously long time to load for it to then not work!! (Microsoft specific proprietary lock-out?)

Yet when I try and type in my details for a new account, i get:
http://www.sarahanne.co.uk/temp/seti_error.png

[...]

I've set the preferences to just connect as a screensaver and to conntect
automatically whenever needed (the latter because I'm on Telewest/Blueyonder
broadband). I'm running Windows XP Home and don't have any funny
modifications to the OS etc, no firewalls... it's just a straightforward
machine that should be able to use SETI@Home without any glitches.

[...]

You need your firewall active on WinXP, or you won't last very long. The latest versions should be active now by default. Set you machine to deny all incoming connections (you shouldn't be running any services). Connections that you originate will still be permitted.

Alternatively, or for best, both, look at:
http://www.blackviper.com/WinXP/servicecfg.htm
to see what unnecessary services (vulnerabilities) can be turned off. At the very least, turn off uPnP and messenger services. (You could uninstall MSN Messenger aswel (:-))... MSN Messenger & the messenger service are different things.)

Check the seti server connection address.

On NTL, you may well be blocked by one of the 'transparent proxies' not being quite so transparent. Set s@h to use a proxy...

Check the s@h FAQ, and Google for ntl proxies...


And the CLI + addon is much faster and more fun!

(Keep stirring the web site (:-))

Good luck,
Martin