I already use BOINC (as a service) on my main PC running Win XP(Pro) + ZoneAlarm + Norton AntiVir) and it works fine - no troubles at all, but I can't get it to work (as a service) a second machine running Win XP(Home) with Norton Firewall and AntiVir.

Several different members of the family use the PCs, with their own Id's. They tend to log-off, but leave the PC running, which is why I want it to run as a service. I haven't tried installing BOINC as anything other than a service on this PC. I log in with admin rights on both PCs.

First I couldn't even get it to install properly. Installing it with Norton Firewall enabled meant Norton asked if BOINC had connection permission. Once given, BOINC locked up so badly I couldn't even kill it with task manager (Bad BOINC! Bad! Bad!)- I had to turn off Norton Firewall until it was installed, then add the three .EXEs manually to the permit list. Now it runs, but has no projects.

Once it was installed, I tried to add the SETI project, but after giving the URL, BOINC asks for a Proxy or SOCKs address, even though I don't have one and the BOINC settings are set to *not* use them (my main PC doesn't ask this question, it just uses the defaults). I can't get past this stage at all.

Also, since installing BOINC, the PC refuses to shut down. I have to use the power switch, which probably isn't doing the HD any good. I think the BOINC service wont shut down. If I remove BOINC, everything's fine again.

Both PCs are connected to the same network and ADSL/router and both appear to function fine apart from this.

Does anyone know what's going on and how I can fix it?

Thanks in advance.