[Vpn-help] Vista Installation Issues ...

[Matthew Grooms]

All,

I am posting this message as there seems to be some confusion about 
installing the Shrew Soft Client on Vista 32 or 64bit hosts. Installing 
the software on a Vista 32bit host is similar to installing on a 2K/XP 
host. An Unsigned driver warning will be displayed but you can proceed. 
Installing the software on a Vista 64bit host will also display the 
warning and allow you to proceed but will refuse to load any unsigned 
drivers. If you do this without taking some precautions, all Ethernet, 
WLAN and Dialup adapters will stop working. The only way to avoid this 
situation is to disable signed driver verification in the OS.

To disable signed driver verification, you must use the bcdedit utility 
to alter the OS load options. Here is the procedure.

1. In the Start > Accessories menu, right-click on Command Prompt.
2. Click Run as administrator.
3. Confirm the operation in the User Account Control.
4. Type the following command and press enter.

bcdedit -set loadoptions DDISABLE_INTEGRITY_CHECKS

5. Reboot the OS for the changes to take effect.

To re-enable signed driver verification, you must use the bcdedit 
utility to revert the OS load options. Just make sure you remember to 
remove the Shrew Soft Client from your system.

1. In the Start > Accessories menu, right-click on Command Prompt.
2. Click Run as administrator.
3. Confirm the operation in the User Account Control.
4. Type the following command and press enter.

bcdedit -set loadoptions DENABLE_INTEGRITY_CHECKS

5. Reboot the OS for the changes to take effect.

Also, there is an option in the Vista boot F8 menu which allows you to 
disable signed driver verification. If you use this option to boot the 
OS, it will be possible to install and use the Shrew Soft VPN client but 
only for that single session. Once you reboot the OS, it will re-enable 
signed driver verification and all Ethernet, WLAN and Dialup adapters 
will stop working. You need to either disable signed driver verification 
using the procedure shown above or uninstall the Shrew Soft VPN client.

I will add this information to the support Wiki so its easier to find.

Thanks,

-Matthew