Guide to install PeerGuardian 2 on Vista x64

[splicer]

Intro:
In today's P2P world the average filesharer faces many issues; from trying to avoid the general crap that floats around to trying to stay within download limits to avoiding getting letters from his/her ISP. PeerGuardian 2 is an IP filter which runs in the background, and works by restricting IPs which try to connect to you, or IPs which you try to conntect to. The restricted IP lists which it downloads are updated daily to maximise safety. Running PG2 does not guarantee that you will not get caught sharing copyrighted material, but it minimises the chances, and gives peace of mind that you are in some way protected. PeerGuardian 2 was unable to be installed on Vista x64 computers because PeerGuardian needed a signed driver, but it didn't. As a result, at every startup, it was necesarry to press F8, and manually disable signed drivers, but there is an automatic way!

Getting ready:
1. Download PeerGuardian 2 RC1. Available here: http://coblitz.codeen.org:3125/phros...c1-test2-2.exe
2. Download ReadyDriverPlus V1.1. Available here:
Citadel Industries - ReadyDriver Plus
Click "Download".

Installation:

Installing PeerGuardian 2:
1. Double-click the PG2 installer. If Vista asks you to allow it to run, click allow.


2. Click Next.


3. Select "I accept the agreement" and click "Next".


4. Read the information, if you really want to, and click "next".


5. Select where you want PG2 to install (I left it to install in its default directory), and click "Next".


6. Select what you would like the start menu folder to be called (I left it as its default) and click "Next".


7. Select what, if any, additional icons you want. Then, click "Next" (I only chose "Create a desktop icon"). Note: For PG2 to start with Windows Vista, UAC (User Account Control) needs to be off.


8. Review any choices you have made. Then click "Next".


9. PG2 will install. The PG2 windows will change; un-tick "Launch PeerGuardian" and click "Finish".

Installing ReadyDriverPlus v1.1
1. Double click the ReadyDriverPlus installer. You may see a security warning appear; click run.


2. Vista may asks you to allow it to run, click allow.


3. The installer window will appear, click "Next".


4. If you want, read the agreement, and if you accept, choose "I accept the agreement", and click "Next".


5. If you really want to read the information, do so, then click "Next".


6. LEAVE THE INSTALL DIRECTORY AS "C:\BOOT". Then click "Next".


7. Now select how many up strokes are required for ReadyDriverPlus to start Windows. If you don't duel boot, choose 1 stroke. On my set-up however, I had to choose 2 strokes even though I do not duel boot. So if on start-up Windows does not boot correctly, re-install ReadyDriverPlus with 2 strokes.


8. By default, the three options should be selected. If not, select them and click "Next".


9. Review your choices, then click "Install".


10. ReadyDriverPlus will install, and the window will change. Click "Finish".


11. Finally, restart your computer. Do not press any keys during the start up process. If Windows Vista does not boot correctly, restart the computer, and manually press the up and down keys to "Start Wndows normally", and press enter. Then review step 7.

Settings
These are my settings, though they may differ to what you prefer.





Known issues
1. On occasion, PG2 will crash. Simply start PG2 again.
2. This is an IP filter, and will block any IP on its list. This may unfortunately mean that it will block safe IPs; an example would be the servers which Windows Live Messenger use to transfer webcam data. Identify the blocked, but safe, IP, and right-click on the IP, and click "Allow xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx permanently". Or, just exit PG2.
3. On occasion, the list of IPs will mess up, and will be lower than it should be (which is about 770000000+ IPs). Go to the install directory (default: C:\Program Files\PeerGuardian2), there should be a folder called "lists". Enter it and delete all lists. Then start PG2, and update the lists.

Notes
I created this guide because I was annoyed, along with many others, that PeerGuardian 2 was not supported on Vista x64 and tired of having to press F8 at each start up. I chose to screenshot almost every step as well, so that user who don't speak English can follow it. I also give permission for it to be distributed by anyone.