Windows Xp Firewall Problem

[Bob H]

Recently, checking on some PC issues I checked on my "Windows Security
Center" and determined I am unable to make any changes to the Windows XP
Firewall, Automatic Updates, or Virus Protection. Below the three security
essentials is "Manage Security Settings For:" but nothing follows. It
appears I have lost the ability to make changes. The PC is used at home and
is not connected to a network. There is only one user and no sign on, just
start up the PC and go. Having said that, recently when I was checking on
ports, I messed around with the Network Setup Wizard on the control panel.
Have I messed up some admin privileges?

Any help is appreciated

 

[WTC]

Recently, checking on some PC issues I checked on my "Windows Security
Center" and determined I am unable to make any changes to the Windows XP
Firewall, Automatic Updates, or Virus Protection. Below the three security
essentials is "Manage Security Settings For:" but nothing follows. It
appears I have lost the ability to make changes.

Are the option for Automatic Updates and Windows Firewall restricted (greyed
out)?

If they are then do the following.

[HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft]
Delete the registry key "WindowsFirewall"

[HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU]
and, if present
[HKCU\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU]
Delete "AUOptions" and "NoAutoUpdate"

Then I would suggest performing a full system scan for parasites. Making
sure you update the definitions files before performing these scans. And
make sure your Anti-virus protection is fully up-to-date.

Adaware SE (free)
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/support/download

Spybot - search and destroy (free)
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html

Trend Micro - Housecall (free)
http://housecall.trendmicro.com

Kaspersky Web Scanner
http://www.kaspersky.com/virusscanner

 

[Bob H]

I scan daily, no issues there. They are not restricted, or greyed out,
green butons that I am unable to change, no options

Recently, checking on some PC issues I checked on my "Windows Security
Center" and determined I am unable to make any changes to the Windows XP
Firewall, Automatic Updates, or Virus Protection. Below the three
security essentials is "Manage Security Settings For:" but nothing
follows. It appears I have lost the ability to make changes.

Are the option for Automatic Updates and Windows Firewall restricted
(greyed out)?

If they are then do the following.

[HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft]
Delete the registry key "WindowsFirewall"

[HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU]
and, if present
[HKCU\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU]
Delete "AUOptions" and "NoAutoUpdate"

Then I would suggest performing a full system scan for parasites. Making
sure you update the definitions files before performing these scans. And
make sure your Anti-virus protection is fully up-to-date.

Adaware SE (free)
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/support/download

Spybot - search and destroy (free)
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html

Trend Micro - Housecall (free)
http://housecall.trendmicro.com

Kaspersky Web Scanner
http://www.kaspersky.com/virusscanner

 

[WTC]

Bob,

See if this screen shot resembles what you are seeing, if it is I would say
it is normal.
http://www.lprf.ca/files/SecCenter.jpg

Restore missing icons to the Windows Security Center
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/seccentericons.htm

[Courtesy of Ramesh Srinivasan, MVP]

--
William Crawford
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

I scan daily, no issues there. They are not restricted, or greyed out,
green butons that I am unable to change, no options

Recently, checking on some PC issues I checked on my "Windows Security
Center" and determined I am unable to make any changes to the Windows XP
Firewall, Automatic Updates, or Virus Protection. Below the three
security essentials is "Manage Security Settings For:" but nothing
follows. It appears I have lost the ability to make changes.

Are the option for Automatic Updates and Windows Firewall restricted
(greyed out)?

If they are then do the following.

[HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft]
Delete the registry key "WindowsFirewall"

[HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU]
and, if present
[HKCU\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU]
Delete "AUOptions" and "NoAutoUpdate"

Then I would suggest performing a full system scan for parasites. Making
sure you update the definitions files before performing these scans. And
make sure your Anti-virus protection is fully up-to-date.

Adaware SE (free)
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/support/download

Spybot - search and destroy (free)
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html

Trend Micro - Housecall (free)
http://housecall.trendmicro.com

Kaspersky Web Scanner
http://www.kaspersky.com/virusscanner

 

[Bob H]

The screen shot resembles what I saw, but I did not have the icons across
the bottom below "manage security settinsg for". I used the link to restore
icons which allowed me to add, the firewall, internet options and automatic
updates icons. But not the other two. As a test I turned off the Windows
XP firewall, but the seccurity center still showed the wall on as indicated
by the green button with "ON" writen next to it.

Bob,

See if this screen shot resembles what you are seeing, if it is I would
say it is normal.
http://www.lprf.ca/files/SecCenter.jpg

Restore missing icons to the Windows Security Center
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/seccentericons.htm

[Courtesy of Ramesh Srinivasan, MVP]

--
William Crawford
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

I scan daily, no issues there. They are not restricted, or greyed out,
green butons that I am unable to change, no options

Recently, checking on some PC issues I checked on my "Windows Security
Center" and determined I am unable to make any changes to the Windows
XP Firewall, Automatic Updates, or Virus Protection. Below the three
security essentials is "Manage Security Settings For:" but nothing
follows. It appears I have lost the ability to make changes.

Are the option for Automatic Updates and Windows Firewall restricted
(greyed out)?

If they are then do the following.

[HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft]
Delete the registry key "WindowsFirewall"

[HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU]
and, if present
[HKCU\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU]
Delete "AUOptions" and "NoAutoUpdate"

Then I would suggest performing a full system scan for parasites. Making
sure you update the definitions files before performing these scans. And
make sure your Anti-virus protection is fully up-to-date.

Adaware SE (free)
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/support/download

Spybot - search and destroy (free)
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html

Trend Micro - Housecall (free)
http://housecall.trendmicro.com

Kaspersky Web Scanner
http://www.kaspersky.com/virusscanner

 

[WTC]

The screen shot resembles what I saw, but I did not have the icons across
the bottom below "manage security settinsg for". I used the link to
restore icons which allowed me to add, the firewall, internet options and
automatic updates icons. But not the other two.

The Local and Group policy are for XP Pro only.

As a test I turned off the Windows XP firewall, but the seccurity center
still showed the wall on as indicated by the green button with "ON" writen
next to it.

Go into the Security Center, on the left hand side click "Change the way
Security Alerts me". Place a checkmark for all three and try your test
again.

--
William Crawford
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

Bob,

See if this screen shot resembles what you are seeing, if it is I would
say it is normal.
http://www.lprf.ca/files/SecCenter.jpg

Restore missing icons to the Windows Security Center
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/seccentericons.htm

[Courtesy of Ramesh Srinivasan, MVP]

--
William Crawford
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

I scan daily, no issues there. They are not restricted, or greyed out,
green butons that I am unable to change, no options


Recently, checking on some PC issues I checked on my "Windows Security
Center" and determined I am unable to make any changes to the Windows
XP Firewall, Automatic Updates, or Virus Protection. Below the three
security essentials is "Manage Security Settings For:" but nothing
follows. It appears I have lost the ability to make changes.

Are the option for Automatic Updates and Windows Firewall restricted
(greyed out)?

If they are then do the following.

[HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft]
Delete the registry key "WindowsFirewall"

[HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU]
and, if present
[HKCU\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU]
Delete "AUOptions" and "NoAutoUpdate"

Then I would suggest performing a full system scan for parasites.
Making sure you update the definitions files before performing these
scans. And make sure your Anti-virus protection is fully up-to-date.

Adaware SE (free)
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/support/download

Spybot - search and destroy (free)
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html

Trend Micro - Housecall (free)
http://housecall.trendmicro.com

Kaspersky Web Scanner
http://www.kaspersky.com/virusscanner

 

[Bob H]

Yip the check mark was already there

The screen shot resembles what I saw, but I did not have the icons across
the bottom below "manage security settinsg for". I used the link to
restore icons which allowed me to add, the firewall, internet options and
automatic updates icons. But not the other two.

The Local and Group policy are for XP Pro only.

As a test I turned off the Windows XP firewall, but the seccurity center
still showed the wall on as indicated by the green button with "ON"
writen next to it.

Go into the Security Center, on the left hand side click "Change the way
Security Alerts me". Place a checkmark for all three and try your test
again.

--
William Crawford
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

Bob,

See if this screen shot resembles what you are seeing, if it is I would
say it is normal.
http://www.lprf.ca/files/SecCenter.jpg

Restore missing icons to the Windows Security Center
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/seccentericons.htm

[Courtesy of Ramesh Srinivasan, MVP]

--
William Crawford
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

I scan daily, no issues there. They are not restricted, or greyed out,
green butons that I am unable to change, no options


Recently, checking on some PC issues I checked on my "Windows
Security Center" and determined I am unable to make any changes to
the Windows XP Firewall, Automatic Updates, or Virus Protection.
Below the three security essentials is "Manage Security Settings
For:" but nothing follows. It appears I have lost the ability to
make changes.

Are the option for Automatic Updates and Windows Firewall restricted
(greyed out)?

If they are then do the following.

[HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft]
Delete the registry key "WindowsFirewall"

[HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU]
and, if present
[HKCU\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU]
Delete "AUOptions" and "NoAutoUpdate"

Then I would suggest performing a full system scan for parasites.
Making sure you update the definitions files before performing these
scans. And make sure your Anti-virus protection is fully up-to-date.

Adaware SE (free)
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/support/download

Spybot - search and destroy (free)
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html

Trend Micro - Housecall (free)
http://housecall.trendmicro.com

Kaspersky Web Scanner
http://www.kaspersky.com/virusscanner

 

[WTC]

Yip the check mark was already there

Verify this information in the registry and correct if needed.

[HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Security Center]

Name: AntiVirusDisableNotify
Type: REG_DWORD
Value: 0

AntiVirusOverride
Type: REG_DWORD
Value: 0

FirewallDisableNotify
Type: REG_DWORD
Value: 0

FirewallOverride
Type: REG_DWORD
Value: 0

FirstRunDisabled
Type: REG_DWORD
Value: 1

UpdatesDisableNotify
Type: REG_DWORD
Value: 0

--
William Crawford
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

The screen shot resembles what I saw, but I did not have the icons
across the bottom below "manage security settinsg for". I used the link
to restore icons which allowed me to add, the firewall, internet options
and automatic updates icons. But not the other two.

The Local and Group policy are for XP Pro only.

As a test I turned off the Windows XP firewall, but the seccurity center
still showed the wall on as indicated by the green button with "ON"
writen next to it.

Go into the Security Center, on the left hand side click "Change the way
Security Alerts me". Place a checkmark for all three and try your test
again.

--
William Crawford
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

Bob,

See if this screen shot resembles what you are seeing, if it is I would
say it is normal.
http://www.lprf.ca/files/SecCenter.jpg

Restore missing icons to the Windows Security Center
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/seccentericons.htm

[Courtesy of Ramesh Srinivasan, MVP]

--
William Crawford
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

I scan daily, no issues there. They are not restricted, or greyed out,
green butons that I am unable to change, no options


Recently, checking on some PC issues I checked on my "Windows
Security Center" and determined I am unable to make any changes to
the Windows XP Firewall, Automatic Updates, or Virus Protection.
Below the three security essentials is "Manage Security Settings
For:" but nothing follows. It appears I have lost the ability to
make changes.

Are the option for Automatic Updates and Windows Firewall restricted
(greyed out)?

If they are then do the following.

[HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft]
Delete the registry key "WindowsFirewall"

[HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU]
and, if present
[HKCU\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU]
Delete "AUOptions" and "NoAutoUpdate"

Then I would suggest performing a full system scan for parasites.
Making sure you update the definitions files before performing these
scans. And make sure your Anti-virus protection is fully up-to-date.

Adaware SE (free)
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/support/download

Spybot - search and destroy (free)
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html

Trend Micro - Housecall (free)
http://housecall.trendmicro.com

Kaspersky Web Scanner
http://www.kaspersky.com/virusscanner

 

[Bob H]

All are as you hava indicated. Except there was no: FirstRunDisabled

Type: REG_DWORD

Value: 1

It was not shown there.

Yip the check mark was already there

Verify this information in the registry and correct if needed.

[HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Security Center]

Name: AntiVirusDisableNotify
Type: REG_DWORD
Value: 0

AntiVirusOverride
Type: REG_DWORD
Value: 0

FirewallDisableNotify
Type: REG_DWORD
Value: 0

FirewallOverride
Type: REG_DWORD
Value: 0

FirstRunDisabled
Type: REG_DWORD
Value: 1

UpdatesDisableNotify
Type: REG_DWORD
Value: 0

--
William Crawford
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

The screen shot resembles what I saw, but I did not have the icons
across the bottom below "manage security settinsg for". I used the
link to restore icons which allowed me to add, the firewall, internet
options and automatic updates icons. But not the other two.

The Local and Group policy are for XP Pro only.

As a test I turned off the Windows XP firewall, but the seccurity
center still showed the wall on as indicated by the green button with
"ON" writen next to it.

Go into the Security Center, on the left hand side click "Change the way
Security Alerts me". Place a checkmark for all three and try your test
again.

--
William Crawford
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User



Bob,

See if this screen shot resembles what you are seeing, if it is I
would say it is normal.
http://www.lprf.ca/files/SecCenter.jpg

Restore missing icons to the Windows Security Center
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/seccentericons.htm

[Courtesy of Ramesh Srinivasan, MVP]

--
William Crawford
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

I scan daily, no issues there. They are not restricted, or greyed
out, green butons that I am unable to change, no options


Recently, checking on some PC issues I checked on my "Windows
Security Center" and determined I am unable to make any changes to
the Windows XP Firewall, Automatic Updates, or Virus Protection.
Below the three security essentials is "Manage Security Settings
For:" but nothing follows. It appears I have lost the ability to
make changes.

Are the option for Automatic Updates and Windows Firewall restricted
(greyed out)?

If they are then do the following.

[HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft]
Delete the registry key "WindowsFirewall"

[HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU]
and, if present
[HKCU\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU]
Delete "AUOptions" and "NoAutoUpdate"

Then I would suggest performing a full system scan for parasites.
Making sure you update the definitions files before performing these
scans. And make sure your Anti-virus protection is fully up-to-date.

Adaware SE (free)
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/support/download

Spybot - search and destroy (free)
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html

Trend Micro - Housecall (free)
http://housecall.trendmicro.com

Kaspersky Web Scanner
http://www.kaspersky.com/virusscanner

 

[WTC]

All are as you hava indicated. Except there was no: FirstRunDisabled

Type: REG_DWORD

Value: 1

It was not shown there.

Hi Bob,

The FirstRunDisabled is insignificant. I am all out of ideas, will ask some
other MVP folks to see if they have any other ideas.

--
William Crawford
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

Yip the check mark was already there

Verify this information in the registry and correct if needed.

[HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Security Center]

Name: AntiVirusDisableNotify
Type: REG_DWORD
Value: 0

AntiVirusOverride
Type: REG_DWORD
Value: 0

FirewallDisableNotify
Type: REG_DWORD
Value: 0

FirewallOverride
Type: REG_DWORD
Value: 0

FirstRunDisabled
Type: REG_DWORD
Value: 1

UpdatesDisableNotify
Type: REG_DWORD
Value: 0

--
William Crawford
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

The screen shot resembles what I saw, but I did not have the icons
across the bottom below "manage security settinsg for". I used the
link to restore icons which allowed me to add, the firewall, internet
options and automatic updates icons. But not the other two.

The Local and Group policy are for XP Pro only.

As a test I turned off the Windows XP firewall, but the seccurity
center still showed the wall on as indicated by the green button with
"ON" writen next to it.

Go into the Security Center, on the left hand side click "Change the
way Security Alerts me". Place a checkmark for all three and try your
test again.

--
William Crawford
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User



Bob,

See if this screen shot resembles what you are seeing, if it is I
would say it is normal.
http://www.lprf.ca/files/SecCenter.jpg

Restore missing icons to the Windows Security Center
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/seccentericons.htm

[Courtesy of Ramesh Srinivasan, MVP]

--
William Crawford
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

I scan daily, no issues there. They are not restricted, or greyed
out, green butons that I am unable to change, no options


Recently, checking on some PC issues I checked on my "Windows
Security Center" and determined I am unable to make any changes to
the Windows XP Firewall, Automatic Updates, or Virus Protection.
Below the three security essentials is "Manage Security Settings
For:" but nothing follows. It appears I have lost the ability to
make changes.

Are the option for Automatic Updates and Windows Firewall
restricted (greyed out)?

If they are then do the following.

[HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft]
Delete the registry key "WindowsFirewall"

[HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU]
and, if present
[HKCU\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU]
Delete "AUOptions" and "NoAutoUpdate"

Then I would suggest performing a full system scan for parasites.
Making sure you update the definitions files before performing
these scans. And make sure your Anti-virus protection is fully
up-to-date.

Adaware SE (free)
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/support/download

Spybot - search and destroy (free)
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html

Trend Micro - Housecall (free)
http://housecall.trendmicro.com

Kaspersky Web Scanner
http://www.kaspersky.com/virusscanner

 

[Bob H]

thanks for all your help, appreciate it

All are as you hava indicated. Except there was no: FirstRunDisabled

Type: REG_DWORD

Value: 1

It was not shown there.

Hi Bob,

The FirstRunDisabled is insignificant. I am all out of ideas, will ask
some other MVP folks to see if they have any other ideas.

--
William Crawford
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

Yip the check mark was already there

Verify this information in the registry and correct if needed.

[HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Security Center]

Name: AntiVirusDisableNotify
Type: REG_DWORD
Value: 0

AntiVirusOverride
Type: REG_DWORD
Value: 0

FirewallDisableNotify
Type: REG_DWORD
Value: 0

FirewallOverride
Type: REG_DWORD
Value: 0

FirstRunDisabled
Type: REG_DWORD
Value: 1

UpdatesDisableNotify
Type: REG_DWORD
Value: 0

--
William Crawford
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User


The screen shot resembles what I saw, but I did not have the icons
across the bottom below "manage security settinsg for". I used the
link to restore icons which allowed me to add, the firewall, internet
options and automatic updates icons. But not the other two.

The Local and Group policy are for XP Pro only.

As a test I turned off the Windows XP firewall, but the seccurity
center still showed the wall on as indicated by the green button with
"ON" writen next to it.

Go into the Security Center, on the left hand side click "Change the
way Security Alerts me". Place a checkmark for all three and try your
test again.

--
William Crawford
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User



Bob,

See if this screen shot resembles what you are seeing, if it is I
would say it is normal.
http://www.lprf.ca/files/SecCenter.jpg

Restore missing icons to the Windows Security Center
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/seccentericons.htm

[Courtesy of Ramesh Srinivasan, MVP]

--
William Crawford
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

I scan daily, no issues there. They are not restricted, or greyed
out, green butons that I am unable to change, no options


Recently, checking on some PC issues I checked on my "Windows
Security Center" and determined I am unable to make any changes
to the Windows XP Firewall, Automatic Updates, or Virus
Protection. Below the three security essentials is "Manage
Security Settings For:" but nothing follows. It appears I have
lost the ability to make changes.

Are the option for Automatic Updates and Windows Firewall
restricted (greyed out)?

If they are then do the following.

[HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft]
Delete the registry key "WindowsFirewall"

[HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU]
and, if present
[HKCU\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU]
Delete "AUOptions" and "NoAutoUpdate"

Then I would suggest performing a full system scan for parasites.
Making sure you update the definitions files before performing
these scans. And make sure your Anti-virus protection is fully
up-to-date.

Adaware SE (free)
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/support/download

Spybot - search and destroy (free)
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html

Trend Micro - Housecall (free)
http://housecall.trendmicro.com

Kaspersky Web Scanner
http://www.kaspersky.com/virusscanner