Questions: upgrade to SP2/firewall will not turn on & automatic updates

Hello-

I have searched these topics but have yet to find what I'm looking for. I will continue to look until someone can answer here. If I am duplicating, my apologies in advance.

I just upgraded an older PC from XP SP1 to SP2. Prior to the update, the firewall in SP1 was engaged and would turn off an on as directed. After the update to SP2, the Security Center will not allow the firewall to be turned on. Upon startup, the warning prompt/bubble comes up, but upon clicking into it and attempting to turn the firewall on, a message is displayed saying something like, "Sorry. Windows cannot turn on the firewall..." It instructs to go to the Security Center, and upon doing that, the firewall settings are "greyed out" and will not allow me to select it. Plus, the Security Window says that the settings are controlled by "Group Policy" (this PC is NOT on a network).

So, my questions are:

1) How do I get firewall to turn on and/or change the Group Policy to allow the settings? I thought the firewall in SP2 was supposed to be engaged by default, and I don't understand why it is stuck in the "off" position like this.

2) As a separate issue, where are automatic updates stored before they are installed (such as when they have been downloaded but not yet installed)?

I'll keep searching for these answers, but if anyone can help with these, I will be most appreciative.

Thanks for your time.

 

Hello and thanks for your reply.

Quickly: my apologies for missing the malware instruction page. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.

Oddly enough (and rather coincidentally), the # 1 problem above seems to have resolved itself. Just before I checked in to see your reply/instructions, I did an update of all my security software - Avira AV, Malwarebytes, Spybot, AdAware - and ran scans for all. Avira, Malwarebytes, and Spybot all picked up 1 or 2 items and eliminated them. I then read your post and had downloaded the tool and was prepared to run it and post the logs, but then I just happened to check the Security Center again and the firewall is now turned on.

I can't be certain, but I'm guessing the malware items must have been the cause.

In any case, problem seems solved and I've had no further trouble.

I will go on and ask again about automatic updates and where those files are stored after download. Example: one that just downloaded was Internet Explorer 8...I do not use IE Explorer, I prefer not to install it, and I'd rather the file not be sitting on my HD (for the record, at the time it downloaded I did not have my settings configured to prompt before downloading...I do now. The file referenced above proceeded in the background before I realized what it was). If you can recommend an easy way to monitor such files and/or remove them that would be great.

Many thanks again for your prompt attention and willingness to help.

 

Sorry for the delayed reply. I have been ill.

I will run the tool and post logs as soon as I can.

Many thanks for your help.