SP2 Firewall will not turn off due to group control

[tj]

I have read a hundred webpages and searched his site - I just can't figure it
out

I just updated to Windows XP home - SP2
When I went to fire up my McAfee firewall it failed because the Windows
firewall was ON
When I went to turn off the windows firewall - the ON and OFF buttons are
greyed out and the message at the top of the screen indicates a group policy
may be in effect.

This is a stand alone PC - tied through a router to a cable modem

I am the only user on this sytem - and have administrative rights

How do I get access to this group setup? Some posts suggest logging in as
the administrator - how do I do this. The only option at startup is my own
user name. (this isn't like my work computer where cntl-alt-del brings up a
login window. When Windows starts it brings up a page with my user name and a
picture on it)

I'd appreciate any direct responses or leads to sites with answers

Thank You

 

[Alias]

I have read a hundred webpages and searched his site - I just can't figure it
out

I just updated to Windows XP home - SP2
When I went to fire up my McAfee firewall it failed because the Windows
firewall was ON
When I went to turn off the windows firewall - the ON and OFF buttons are
greyed out and the message at the top of the screen indicates a group policy
may be in effect.

This is a stand alone PC - tied through a router to a cable modem

I am the only user on this sytem - and have administrative rights

How do I get access to this group setup? Some posts suggest logging in as
the administrator - how do I do this. The only option at startup is my own
user name. (this isn't like my work computer where cntl-alt-del brings up a
login window. When Windows starts it brings up a page with my user name and a
picture on it)

I'd appreciate any direct responses or leads to sites with answers

Thank You

Reboot the computer and when it goes "beep" start hitting F8 until you
get a list of choices. Choose safe mode. Log in as Administrator. Once
in, you should configure a password for Administrator.

Alias

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

What anti-virus application or security suite is installed? What
anti-spyware applications (other than Defender)? What third-party firewall
(if any)?

 

[tj]

Thank you for how to get to admin.

After more research it is clear that the tools normally used to manage this
are not available on XP home. I find lots of people with this problem, but
no-one with a solution. And no idea how I got in this mode.

I am running McAfee tools for everything but the firewall(because it won't
start until I can get windows turned off) - I have run a scan and am clean

tj

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Unexplained computer behavior may be caused by deceptive software
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/827315

Run a /thorough/ check for hijackware, including posting your hijackthis log
to an appropriate forum.

Checking for/Help with Hijackware
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?t=5878
http://wiki.castlecops.com/Malware_Removal_and_Prevention:_Introduction
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/data/prevention.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/tshoot.html
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Malware_Defence.htm
http://defendingyourmachine2.blogspot.com/
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

When all else fails, HijackThis v2.0.2
(http://aumha.org/downloads/hijackthis.exe) is the preferred tool to use.
It will help you to both identify and remove any hijackware/spyware with
assistance from an expert. **Post your log to
http://forums.spybot.info/forumdisplay.php?f=22,
http://castlecops.com/forum67.html,
http://forums.subratam.org/index.php?showforum=7,
http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=30, or other appropriate forums for review
by an expert in such matters, not here.**

If the procedures look too complex - and there is no shame in admitting this
isn't your cup of tea - take the machine to a local, reputable and
independent (i.e., not BigBoxStoreUSA) computer repair shop.