im using windows xp with sp2 . im using an administrator login but i cannot turn on the firewall the option is not enabled and it does not allow me to enable it ... the buttons of the firewall are deactivated ... pls help me out ... thanx

Are you running another firewall?

Where exactly are you seeing these settings?

Is this Home or Pro?

If you right click on the internet connection then chose Properties > Advanced: do you see the option?

Do you have the Security Center under the Control Panel?

Other ideas:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/875357

http://www.windowsnetworking.com/j_helmig/wxplnfrw.htm

http://www.google.com/search?sourcei...ll+not+working

http://groups.google.com/groups?sour...ng&sa=N&tab=wg

nope im not running any other firewall ..
im right clicking on the internet connection then chosin Properties > Advanced >settings
im using a pro version
in internet connection Properties > Advanced >settings all the buttons are inactive .. so i cannot select anything
security center is present under ctrl panel

Can you turn it on via Security Center?

Is this a new problem? Was it working previously?

i went to security center .. the status was "not monitored" so i clicked on recomendations and i deselected the box which said " i have a firewall solution that i'll monitor myself" . then the firewall status went to "off" . but when i tried to enable it by clicking the enable now button i got the following msg " we'r sorry . the security center could not turn on the firewall. to try turning on the firewall yourself " but when i go to turn on the firewall the buttons are still inactive.. does it have something to do with group policy ? but im in administrator loggin ...

Perhaps

For Windows XP Professional

* Click Start, Run and type Gpedit.msc
* Navigate to the following branch:

Computer Configuration
=> Administrative Templates
==> System
===> Network
===> Network Connections
====> Windows Firewall
=====> Standard Profile

* Set the following options to Not Configured (defaults)

Windows Firewall: Protect all network connections
Windows Firewall: Do not allow exceptions
Windows Firewall: Define program exceptions
Windows Firewall: Allow local program exceptions
Windows Firewall: Allow remote administration exception
Windows Firewall: Allow file and printer sharing exception
Windows Firewall: Allow ICMP exceptions
Windows Firewall: Allow Remote Desktop exception
Windows Firewall: Allow UPnP framework exception
Windows Firewall: Prohibit notifications
Windows Firewall: Allow logging
Windows Firewall: Prohibit unicast response to multicast or broadcast requests
Windows Firewall: Define port exceptions
Windows Firewall: Allow local port exceptions

* Exit the Group Policy editor.

Also see:

http://www.winxptutor.com/sp2/resetfw.htm

all the settings are as mentioned .... but the windows firewall general tab buttons are all deactivated ... i went to the advanced tab and reset the firewall but ithe general tab is still inactive ...

Did you try this

How to reset Windows Firewall settings in Windows XP SP2

There are situations where-in you need to reset your Windows Firewall settings, after removing a Trojan etc. Resetting the Windows Firewall sets the configuration to factory defaults by removing all the programs / port / exceptions settings.

To reset the Windows Firewall to the factory default state, try this:

* Type firewall.cpl in Start, Run dialog.
* Click the Advanced tab.
* Click the Restore Defaults button.
* Click Yes to continue when you see this dialog

Restoring the default settings will delete all settings of Windows Firewall that you have made since Windows was installed. This may cause some programs to stop working.

Do you want to continue?

The Windows Firewall is now turned ON, and set to factory default state.

Alternately, you can use the NETSH command-line to accomplish this:

Open a Command Prompt window and type NETSH FIREWALL RESET

This command resets firewall configuration to default. This provides the same functionality as the Restore Defaults button in the Windows Firewall interface.

If so and this doesn't work:

Were you ever able to use the firewall? Is this a new setup? New to SP2? The XP Pro edition always had the fire wall... Just trying to gain some insight as to what could have happened.

Any Viruses? Any other problems in general?

a week back i was using the firewall ... it was fine no problems at all ... then i was infected with 2 trojans .. which were detected and removed by avg pro .. now my system is clean ... but i cannot get the firewall to start ...