trouble getting the built-in firewall working! xp Pro

Whenever i try to enable the built-in firewall in Windows XP Pro, I get the error:

Further investigation led me to the Remote Access Connection Manager that was depended on by Internet Connection Sharing but was not starting. Many errors in the event log about it.. here are a few:

I then tried to change the user name that the service runs from to my administrator name and valid password, but that leads to the error:

How can i find out what those other services in the same process are? I then tried to change ALL the services to log on as Local System.After a restart, 3 were reset to Network System but there were no more Local Service's what could the problem be? tried downloading an update from microsoft, THIS one, which seemed to address my problem. no luck there. i am switching my computer from behind the router to inbetween the cable modem and router and would love to get this working. i am aware i can try 3rd party software but i would much rather just using the built in since its already there. Please Help!!

Thank you,
skel

 

If I understand correctly you do have a Router.

If this is indeed true;

#1 I would get that connection from the PC out from inbetween the Router and Modem and back into the Router where it belongs.

#2 If you have a Router you have a MUCH BETTER and more reliable hardware INCOMING ONLY firewall than the SOFTWARE ( ICF ) INCOMING ONLY firewall. And with the Router you can forget ICF.

#3 Install a software Firewall such as Kerio, Zone Alarm or what ever so that you can controll what goes out.

#4 If you have other machines and they are plugged into the Router they are also protected on the INCOMING ONLY side.

I have a 4 Port Router/Switch and I did NOTHING to set up the other three machines on the LAN. the router did it all.

BillyBob

 

If you have more than one machine, ICF only protects one machine. ( the one it is set up on )

The Router protects all that are plugged into it. On the INCOMING side anyway.

BB

 

Hello Skel,

I run ICF on a single system w/o router hub running Home.

On a second system, I have enabled ICF on a DSL w/ router - two system network.

A third system, PRO, I have had no problems enabling ICF as well.

The systems are running 3rd party firewalls as well. Never had a problem. So can't answer you out of experience in solving this problem.


Did a search on ICF:

http://mysearch.myway.com/jsp/GGmain.jsp?searchfor=Internet+Connection+Firewall&st=site This is the search results page.

http://www.microsoft.com/WindowsXP/home/using/howto/homenet/icf.asp This one mentions net working issues specifically.

Regards - Charles

 

Thanks for all your replies. I will try the suggestions tomorrow as i am short on time.

Right now my comptuer IS behind the router, as well as two others. my main reason for putting it between the cable modem and router is to view all the traffic coming off the router with ethereal. it is not intended as a permentant set up, but while it is in that configuration and im not capturing packets, i would like to have a firewall running, microsofts preferably.

 

ICF does work but isn't very smart. Ports are either open or closed. Blocking is for inbound only.

Better if you need firewall protection (and most of us do) to get either hardware or software that does inbound and outbound packets and also does stateful of packets bound for the open ports.