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akulich

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Windows XP SP2 Firewall Turns Itself off after every restart

I am having an issue with the Windows XP Pro SP2 firewall.  When I restart the machine, the firewall turns off.  I turn it back on and it stays on until I restart.  I do not get any type of system error or messages.  Can anyone offer any help with this one?  I did try a "netsh winsock reset" with no luck.

Thanks
Al Kulich
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DVation191

akulich,
Windows Firewall runs as a service. Is it set as "Started" after you reboot? (Go to Start > Run > type "services.msc" > hit <ENTER> and fine Windows Firewall at the bottom of the list)

If not, right click it and choose properties. Be sure it is set to start as automatic. Also click the "Start" button to start the service. Reboot.

If the problem persists..look at your event logs, because when a service fails to start, windows logs that event.

hope this helps.
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ASKER

When I reboot, the service is started and automatic.  The only message that I see about this in the event logs is "The Windows Security Center has started".  I see no indication of any problems.  But again, the firewall comes up disabled.

Thanks
Al
If the service is started, the firewall is running....

When you go into the properties of "My Network Places", does your connection's status say "Connected, Firewalled" or just "Connected" ?

In the security center... (Start > Control Panel > Security Center) What does it report about the status of your firewall?
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ASKER

All it says is connected.  In the security center, it states that the firewall is off.  That is where I turn it on again.  It stays on until I restart and then back off.  Just checked the service again.  Its "started" and "automatic".  
Thanks
al
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ASKER

Ok, I found the problem.  This was happening on a new IBM Thinkpad T41 laptop.  It turns out that the IBM connection profiles have a setting in there to either turn on or off the firewall for a connection profile.  It was set to off.  So when I booted, the firewall was actually on.  But when the profile was loaded, it turned the firewall back off.  Sorry for the confusion.  Thanks for the suggestions.

Thanks
Al Kulich
I would suggest that you turn off the windows fire wall and install the free zonealarm  {www.zonealarm}. There have been several comment on this site that the windows firewall provides only minimal rotection.


gonzal13(joe)
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modulo

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