Windows Firewall not turned on at startup.

Hi everyone.
I have noticed that windows firewall does start at startup and i get a warnig from the security center. When trying to enable it manually i get a message "Due to an unidentified problem windows firewall settings cannot be displyed" or something similar.But after a minute the firewall is enabled by its self and everything is back to normal.
Also while the firewall in disabled the security center cannot idenify the status of the antivirus(Norton 2003 pro) but after the firewall is turned on it can.
The weird thing is that when i start my computer with my external hard disk connected this problem does not appear at all and everything works fine.

Can anyone help me..?
Thanx

 

Andys--Since the Windows Firewall eventually turns on, this is unlikely the cause, but have a look anyway at the settings in Control Panel|Windows Firewall. Is it turned On?
A better idea would be to get a third party firewall such as ZoneAlarm (free).
http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/company/products/znalm/freeDownload.jsp
There are others.
ZA, and the others, monitor outgoing traffic as well as incoming traffic. The Windows Firewall monitors only incoming traffic.
Suggest you disconnect from the internet after downloading ZA, turn the Windows Firewall off and install ZA, making sure it is running (you will see the icon in the Notification Area, next to the clock). Then reconnect to the internet. (You do not want to have two firewalls running.)

 

Hello Andys,

Is the Firewall Service set to start automatically?

Start > run > type services.msc > ok. The Services will display and scroll down to Windows Firewall. At the right under startup type, it should be "automatic" - my quess is that it's set to "manual ". If not, double click on the line, in the dialog box under startup type change to automatic via the drop down menu.

Forgot to add, I would consider Jims's advice which is a better bet as far as security is concerned.

Regards - Charles

 

As Welshjim said, it would be better to use a different firewall than the built in windows one, as it is not the best firewall in the world. www.zonelabs.com for zone alarm

 

Thanx very much for the info.
I' ll ldownload the firewall you advized me.
But any idea y windows firewall starts normally when i start the pc with the external hard drive connected?

Oh and i checked and the firewall i set to automatic in the services.
Thanx

 

Andys--No, I do not know, but without meaning to seem inconsiderate, the point is moot if you will be using another firewall.

 

Disable It

Andys,

I disabled Windows firewall in our domain using Group Policy. Just use these steps:

Run gpedit.msc
Local Computer Policy
Computer Configuration
Administrative Templates
Network
Network Templates
Network Connections
Prohibit Use of Internet Connection Firewall on Your DNS Domain - Disabled

As previously advised it would pay to get something better.

Regards...Oz

 

Ok thanx everyone.
Your advice was very helpfull.