[dkg_]

Hello, I'm really stuck with a problem I haven't been able to find answers for it anywhere.
I hoped someone would be so kind to help me with it.

When i start up my PC with windows xp, sp2 the windows security center and windows firewall is apparently turned off for a short time (I'd say about 2 mins after windows loads) I cannot open the windows firewall or windows security center and strangely can't connect to some servers, msn messenger and world of warcraft servers I've found so far, however can connect to internet on firefox, all websites i've tried is fine.

"Due to an unidentified problem, windows cannot display windows firewall settings."
That is the message is says when i try to open Windows Firewall.
The Security Center doesn't open at all untill i get a message from Windows security Alert to say "no firewall active" then it pops up and windows firewall turns itself on, then i can connect to messenger etc right away.

When i tried to install Zonealarm when i first built this PC it took about 2 mins to load windows the wallpaper came up but no start menu etc, i tried it again earlier and it loads all the icons/start menu as soon as the windows security center gos on.
I can't say if the windows security center went on right away or not before i first installed zonealarm as it was long time ago.
I'm pretty worried about security since for some time i seem to have no firewall up.
It has to be linked with zonealarm but i've uninstalled it(twice) and deleted all registry i could find, not sure if the error comes from windows or zonealarm.
I'd be so very thankful if anyone can help in any way.

 

[chauffeur2]

Hello dkg, Welcome to TSF! :wave:

Please try this workaround (you will need your Windows® XP SP2 CD).

(In the event that you do not have a Windows® XP CD with SP2, you will need to 'borrow' one from a friend or colleague, as the manufacturer's "Recovery Discs" will not work in this instance.)

Insert the Windows® XP CD in your drive. (Hold down the Shift Key to prevent it from starting.)

Go Start > Run ...in the box type in sfc /scannow …please take note of the space between the sfc and the /.

This is the System File Checker...it will scan all the Windows® core system files to ensure that they are in their respective correct places, and if not replace them from the CD.

During the scan you may be asked to Insert the CD, if this happens just go retry and let it do its thing.

One important point: While sfc is running, it is not advisable to do any other work, or have any browsers/programs running on the computer, until the scan is complete. (This process will generally take around 45-65 minutes to complete).

Once finished, remove the CD and reboot your machine...all should be "Normal" (hopefully). :grin:

Please post back with the result, or if there are any further queries/concerns.

Kind Regards,

 

[dkg_]

Hi, thank you so much for reply.
I did that but it came up with:
Windows file protection
Files that are required for windows to run properly must be copied to the DLL Cache

Insert your windows xp professional service pack 2 cd now.

after retry >
The cd you provided is the wrong cd.
please insert the windows xp professinal service pack 2 cd into your cd-rom drive.

My CD is windows xp home (incudes sp2) oem cd

also i love your sig, i live by that moto only i say if it's not broke, don't fix it.

 

[dkg_]

Hey, just a quick update i managed to get round that problem last post by coping i386 folder to c:\ and changing HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\
CurrentVersion\Setup\SourcePath to the location.

 

[chauffeur2]

Hi again dkg,

I presume that by doing that adjustment, it is now sorted...right?

 

[dkg_]

Sadly it didn't work, restarted twice and no change, It's so frustrating!

Thanks again for your assistance, I'll have to get some sleep now but will be back shortly if you have any other suggestions for me.

 

[chauffeur2]

Hi, thank you so much for reply.
I did that but it came up with:
Windows file protection
Files that are required for windows to run properly must be copied to the DLL Cache

Insert your windows xp professional service pack 2 cd now.

after retry >
The cd you provided is the wrong cd.
please insert the windows xp professinal service pack 2 cd into your cd-rom drive.

My CD is windows xp home (incudes sp2) oem cd

also i love your sig, i live by that moto only i say if it's not broke, don't fix it.

If it is asking for the "Windows® XP Professional SP2-CD"; this means that you have Windows® XP Professional installed on this machine.
What happened to the original CD?

To effectively 'repair' this problem with the sfc you will have to try and borrow a Windows® XP Professional SP2-CD, otherwise there is little that can be done.

 

[dkg_]

http://www.updatexp.com/scannow-sfc.html
I don't think even with windows pro cd it would show this error, it's just to protect windows files but i ran the SFC and it seems the core files weren't the problem.

 

[tetonbob]

See if the information on this page helps:

http://windowsxp.mvps.org/sharedaccess.htm

It sounds to me like there's an issue with your SharedAccess key.

 

[dkg_]

Thanks for the replys, sadly that didn't work either.
I have another question for you, does it really matter?
I hear some people disable firewall for games, I've never found a virus on my pc in over 2 years so does it really matter to have the firewall "disabled" for 2 mins every boot.. or even disabled full time?
Worst case is a keylogger sends out my bank details?

Thanks

 

[dkg_]

Thanks for the replys, sadly that didn't work either.
I have another question for you, does it really matter?
I hear some people disable firewall for games, I've never found a virus on my pc in over 2 years so does it really matter to have the firewall "disabled" for 2 mins every boot.. or even disabled full time?
Worst case is a keylogger sends out my bank details?

Thanks

bump
Is it very risky to have firewall disabled for short time even if i don't open webpages?

 

[Cellus]

Yes and no. Keep in mind that you never really know when there may be a network attack of some kind. For Home/SOHO, the chances of actually getting a network attack is very small. However with that said, firewalls do filter out a lot of "junk", and having a filter with stealth capabilities lowers your profile while exposed on the Internet.

A router also provides a good deal of protection. Even if a router does not come with a firewall, the inherent protection given by NAT/PAT filters out a lot of unwanted or potentially unwanted stuff. For example, if someone/something wanted to try to remotely access your computer, or try to exploit a security vulnerability in remote access, they would have a heck of a hard time doing so if the right ports were not forwarded.

There is only one real feasible security scenario where having the firewall offline during start-up could be a problem, and that's when your computer is already compromised, and a malicious program tries to "phone home" during start-up before security programs even have a chance to finish loading themselves. This is rather niche, and if a situation were to occur where such a program was on your computer, you usually have bigger problems on your hands as programs such as these (at least these days) will try things like circumvent/disable your security programs anyways.

Please keep in mind this has nothing to do with firewalls which have "application filtering", which, in a nutshell, is where the program alerts you if an application is trying to communicate out (to the Internet) or trying to receive a communication outside (from the Internet). Windows Firewall for XP SP2 has extremely basic application filtering, and this level of filtering should not be counted on.

Security in general acts in layers. So long as you have other programs on hand, such as Anti-virus, anti-spyware, and so forth, you are in pretty good shape for a home computer. It's only when you start delving into business machines and your company garners a public profile (and "fatter rewards") that things need to step up. For the most part, the most common security breaches of home computers does not come from network attacks, but from viruses and malware. Make sure you have protection for those.

Take a look at our PC Safety and Security thread for recommended programs.

 

[dkg_]

Just the info i was after, thanks