Southwest's Ding program problem

[RedSunflower]

I have used Southwest's "Ding" program successfully for almost a year. It is a program that "dings" you the minute the airfares drop. Suddenly, it stopped working and I get an error message that there is a connectivity problem. What happened?

I have Windows XP. Norton Security, and AOL. I have uninstalled the program about five times, checked my firewall settings on Windows and Norton. I have uninstalled Norton and reinstalled it two times. I have been on the phone with tech support at AOL, Norton, Southwest Airlines, and Verizon.

Nobody has an answer. Meanwhile, I'm missing buying low priced airfare on a route that I must travel on frequently. Can anybody help?

[classicsoftware]

Welcome to http://www.pcguide.com/ubb/pcgubb.gif forums.


First, run, don't walk and dump NORTON. Do it now. The faster the better.

Get a free firewall and configure it to allow the Southwest Program to have access to the Internet/Network. The two best firewalls are:

Kerio (http://www.sunbelt-software.com/Kerio.cfm) and Sygate (http://www.majorgeeks.com/Sygate_Personal_Firewall_Free_d3356.html)

Get yourself and AV that along with being free puts out updates faster than Symantec and uses much less system resources:

Avast (http://www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-home.html) and AVG (http://free.grisoft.com/freeweb.php/doc/2/)

Uninstall the Ding program.

Re-install the program and make sure the firewall allows it to access the Internet. Disable the stupid Windows firewall.

Let us know how it goes.

[RobertWesthoff]

Help! I am having the same problem with Southwest Ding Program. Did you get a resolution to problem. I too have spoken with Southwest, Yahoo, and Comcast. I'm getting unrecoverable error - Unable to load configuation files. I had the program loaded and am unable to get a connectivity connection. I've disabled Norton, Pop up blocker, and entered ding.southwest.com and southwest.com to the Firewall exceptions. At wits end. Everything works on my computer, except this program that millions are using. Any suggestions from anyone???? :mad: :mad: :(

[mweber88]

I fixed my Ding! I found the folder that contains the data for Ding after uninstalling it and simply deleted the whole folder. It's a folder titled "Southwest Airlines" that is under "Documents and Settings\<your user name>\Application Data" and I simply deleted it (that's SHIFT - delete, so it doesn't go to the Recycle bin). Then I reinstalled Ding! and ran it, and I had to re-register, but it's working flawlessly now. YAY!

Good luck!

Mike

[Budfred]

I fixed my Ding! I found the folder that contains the data for Ding after uninstalling it and simply deleted the whole folder. It's a folder titled "Southwest Airlines" that is under "Documents and Settings\<your user name>\Application Data" and I simply deleted it (that's SHIFT - delete, so it doesn't go to the Recycle bin). Then I reinstalled Ding! and ran it, and I had to re-register, but it's working flawlessly now. YAY!

Good luck!

Mike

Welcome to http://www.pcguide.com/ubb/pcgubb.gif

Please look at the dates of the last post... Both threads you posted to are quite old and resolved...

[booboo4031]

My turn for a Southwest Ding! problem. I had to reformat my hard drive and reinstall windows. I run McAfee firewall/antivirus and a wireless laptop/router. When I go to update registration, it tells me can't connect to www.southwest.com. I have tried the following:

Installing with Mcafee uninstalled
Windows firewall is shutoff
I tried shutting off my router firewall (Ding! always worked w/Mcafee and my router firewall before)
I tried downloading in safemode.. but couldn't install because the windows installer driver doesn't load up in safemode
I tried manually deleting all the southwest files and reloading several times

Any other suggestions??

Thanks
Diane

[Budfred]

Welcome to PCGuide...

Any other suggestions??

Thanks
DianeYes, please read the post just before your post and then start your own thread...

[premiumpaper]

I've tried all these solutions listed above. Have deleted all references to DING on my computer, reinstalled various times, deleted obtrusive Firewalls and turned off Windows firewall. When I go to hit "UPDATE REGISTRATION" on Ding it says "unable to connect to southwest.com" but when I type in ding.southwest.com in my browser it connects. HELP. I used this program years ago (different computer) and it worked flawlessly. It just will not work on this computer. Can anyone supply assistance. Southwest has no real support to answer this problem.

[Budfred]

I've tried all these solutions listed above. Have deleted all references to DING on my computer, reinstalled various times, deleted obtrusive Firewalls and turned off Windows firewall. When I go to hit "UPDATE REGISTRATION" on Ding it says "unable to connect to southwest.com" but when I type in ding.southwest.com in my browser it connects. HELP. I used this program years ago (different computer) and it worked flawlessly. It just will not work on this computer. Can anyone supply assistance. Southwest has no real support to answer this problem.

Here is the basic thing... It is not nice to hijack someone else's thread... It is also far less likely to get you help to hijack a thread that hasn't had a follow-up post from a new member who never returned after posting in July last year... So, welcome to PCGuide and please start your own thread... Provide detailed info about your system and your problem and you will be more likely to get help....

[delgueso]

Problem/Bug
In my case, the "Unable to load Ding! configuration files" stemmed from what appears to be an improperly encrypted password for proxy access.

Details
When installing Ding! or using the Update Registration, the password supplied for the user name for the proxy is stored incorrectly in the Ding.dat file in the Southwest/Ding folder.

Resolution
1. Do not uninstall or re-install Ding!--no need to;
2. File browse to "C:\Documents and Settings\<your user name>\Application Data\Southwest Airlines\Ding";
3. Delete Ding.dat or rename it to something else;
4. Start Ding!;
5. Wait to Southwest geek squad to fix this bug.

Follow-Up
Southwest Geekazoids: Please look into a possible bug or scenario where "Proxy Password" in Ding.dat is saved as "00000000000000000000" instead of a properly encrypted password. This may be related to disabled or incompatible Windows services related to Crypto.

[bassman]

it sure seems like a LOT of first time posters are jumping right to this thread. Does this seem slightly suspicious to anyone else? or is it just me? :D
Maybe time to lock it as no one wants to listen ;)

[Budfred]

it sure seems like a LOT of first time posters are jumping right to this thread. Does this seem slightly suspicious to anyone else? or is it just me? :D
Maybe time to lock it as no one wants to listen ;)

Actually, this last post is actually posting suggestions to help with the original problem, so that is why we have kept this open... Help is appreciated... hijacking the thread is not... :)

That said delgueso,
Welcome to http://www.pcguide.com/ubb/pcgubb.gif

[RedSunflower]

;) The reason this thread is still going is because there are many of us who are experiencing the same problem.

I wrote the original post. I solved the problem by buying a new computer! Well, honestly, I was due to replace mine, so out of frustration with the Ding! program I junked the old computer.

So, problem solved...not so fast...Ding! worked on this new computer until a couple of weeks ago. Then it stopped. I click on all of the buttons and nothing happens. Southwest tells me it is a hyperlink problem. Once again...I have tried everything (I won't go into that.) I have Vista. Any suggestions? I'm not going to replace this computer. I'm running McAfee. Thanks.

--Judy

[Budfred]

So you return after 2 years and finally post a response because you are having a problem again?? Even if you are not having a problem, it is helpful if your at least report back on what your situation is...

It seems to me that the solution is to get rid of this program that you all claim to be having a problem with... It sounds like it is a badly written program and the originators have no interest in fixing it... We can't fix broken programs...

There are a number of services that will notify you about airfares and any number of other issues -- I suggest you look into those...

[mjc]

I am going to side with Budfred on this one...scrap the stupid program. Tell Southwest to fix it, because it is absolute garbage.

A hyperlink problem? Just what in the hell is that supposed to mean?

Hyperlinks are just text...it is the program that interprets what to do with that text. So if "Ding" has a hyperlink problem, it is BROKEN!!! Hyperlinks are addresses, it is up to a program to parse that information and do something with it...

In all likelihood, Ding is breaking due to Windows updates...which there have been several security related updates recently.

[behuge]

This is the simple fix to conect to southwest.com

>click start or all programs
>click accessories
>right click command prompt then click "run as administrator"
>enter the following:

netsh interface tcp set global encapability=disabled

finished!

[mjc]

So what exactly does that do?

I don't see that option documented anywhere...

[behuge]

I found this fix after spending hours googleing a fix to connect to southwest after "ding" stopped working. This fix is immediate and works!

[RedSunflower]

This is the simple fix to conect to southwest.com

>click start or all programs
>click accessories
>right click command prompt then click "run as administrator"
>enter the following:

netsh interface tcp set global encapability=disabled

finished!

I did exactly what you recommended...still nothing. I rebooted. I uninstalled and reinstalled. Still nothing.

I looked for the "documents and settings" to delete the application data solution, but haven't found any files.

For those of you who think it is ridiculous to try and solve this problem...you have no idea how much money we are talking about saving. I have to fly a particular route which comes up frequently on the "Ding" program. If I don't book the flight 21 days in advance, the ticket is $149 each way. With "Ding" it can be only $49 to $59 each way, plus sometimes you can book it 3 days before traveling. With an aging, ill parent to tend to, I have had to make many, many trips without much notice. The "Ding" program has saved me a lot of money and made it possible for me to take care of my Mom. So, this is not a waste of time; it is a necessity.

I'd like to thank those who have made suggestions. I am not going to give up trying to solve this problem. There has to be a solution. :)

[mjc]

It is ridiculous to continue to beat a dead horse...there is a major problem with the application, itself. We are not the developers of said application...

WE CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT! We have no magic 'fix'.

You, and everyone else having problems with this thing, need to be bugging the hell out of whoever it is that develops this barely working beta software for Southwest...if that is Southwest's tech support, in the middle of downtown New Dehli...so be it.

The ball is in Southwest's court...

[PrntRhd]

Or in a buggy software fix forum, it is a software problem, not hardware.

[RedSunflower]

Finally, and only by accident, did I solve the problem.

I had to install Mozilla Firefox (which used to be on my computer) and I found that the "Ding!" works. I am now getting to order cheap tickets that are only offered to "Ding" recipients.

I just saved $118 on a ticket that I need to buy to travel in two weeks.

I remember removing Mozilla Firefox about four months ago because I was cleaning up my hard drive. I never knew it was my "throughway" to Southwest's Ding! program.

Thanks to everyone who offered suggestions.

--Judy

[fstar]

This is the simple fix to conect to southwest.com

behuge almost had it, but to be completely explicit on how to get DING! to work (at least in Windows XP Pro):

0. Exit DING! if it is currently running
1. Find the DING! program in your Start Menu (i.e. Start : All Programs : Southwest Airlines)
2. Place your cursor over the DING! icon and then right click
3. From the menu that opened up when you right clicked, choose "Run as..." (it should be the second option after "Open")
4. UNCHECK the box that says "Protect my computer and data from unauthorized program activity"
5. Click OK.
6. When DING! opens, register (try only using one airport at first).

If connectivity problems persist (like when you restart your computer), there is a good chance you are running the Windows Firewall. Follow the framework here (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/security/winfirewall.mspx), to add DING! to the list of Exceptions, so that it can connect to the Internet.

This should do it for you. Good luck.

[fargll]

Had Ding don't use it and uninstalled it and the window just pops up all the time no matter where I am or what I am doing. Have reinstalled and uninstalled still have problem ...have enabled and unenabled what a pain in the tail section.

ANY suggestions???? PLEASE!!!!

[fargll]

I don't want to fix it I want to GET RID OF IT!!!

[classicsoftware]

If you follow these instructions (http://www.pcguide.com/vb/showthread.php?t=60009) and post a hijackthis log, we can remove the offending segments that were left behind.