Group Policy vs Firewall

[Bill]

I can't turn on the firewall because "Your network adminstrator is using
Group Policy to control these settings." But this is a stand-alone PC, and
when I go to C:\Windows\System32\ there is no Group Policy. I have XP Home,
service pack 2. Thanks!

 

[Malke]

I can't turn on the firewall because "Your network adminstrator is using
Group Policy to control these settings." But this is a stand-alone PC,
and
when I go to C:\Windows\System32\ there is no Group Policy. I have XP
Home,
service pack 2. Thanks!

You are correct - there is no Group Policy Editor in XP Home. What other
security/antivirus software do you have installed? Many of these types of
programs have their own firewall component and will turn off the Windows
Firewall.

The First Question Of Troubleshooting: what changed between the time things
worked and the time they didn't?

The Second Question of Windows Troubleshooting: what is the malware/virus
status of the machine? If you think it is clean, what programs (and
versions) did you use to determine this?

Be sure the computer is clean:
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware


Malke

 

[Frank Saunders MS-MVP IE,OE/WM]

I can't turn on the firewall because "Your network adminstrator is using
Group Policy to control these settings." But this is a stand-alone PC,
and
when I go to C:\Windows\System32\ there is no Group Policy. I have XP
Home,
service pack 2. Thanks!

What security programs are you running?

 

[Bill]

Avira Antivir Personal Edition Classic and Windows Defender. I also have
System Mechanic Professional 7 (which does not detect a firewall).