Vista Firewall

I recently got a new Acer laptop that came with Vista Home Premium
installed. I am running McAfee VirusScan Enterprise 8.5.0i. I have not yet
installed a third-party firewall, so I am using the Windows Firewall that is
built in to Vista. When I start my computer, the Windows Firewall always
comes up turned off, which of course triggers a warning from Security
Center.

I have looked all over and all through the Help file, but cannot find
anything that tells me what setting I can change so that the Windows
Firewall will automatically be turned on at power-up. The Services panel of
the Computer Management administrative tool lists the Windows Firewall
startup as "Automatic." I can't find any events in the Event Logs that
explain why it is turned off -- although I have to admit that most of the
data in the Event Logs is pretty much unintelligible. There are no other
firewalls installed (the version of McAfee I use does not include a
firewall).

Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks,

David

Open Security Center. Expand the firewall section on the right. Click on
"Show me firewalls installed on this computer". See if you have another one
installed.

--


Regards,

Richard Urban MVP
Microsoft Windows Shell/User


"David Benson" <> wrote in message
news:%...
>I recently got a new Acer laptop that came with Vista Home Premium
>installed. I am running McAfee VirusScan Enterprise 8.5.0i. I have not
>yet installed a third-party firewall, so I am using the Windows Firewall
>that is built in to Vista. When I start my computer, the Windows Firewall
>always comes up turned off, which of course triggers a warning from
>Security Center.
>
> I have looked all over and all through the Help file, but cannot find
> anything that tells me what setting I can change so that the Windows
> Firewall will automatically be turned on at power-up. The Services panel
> of the Computer Management administrative tool lists the Windows Firewall
> startup as "Automatic." I can't find any events in the Event Logs that
> explain why it is turned off -- although I have to admit that most of the
> data in the Event Logs is pretty much unintelligible. There are no other
> firewalls installed (the version of McAfee I use does not include a
> firewall).
>
> Anyone have any ideas?
>
> Thanks,
>
> David

Richard,

I don't see a button or text that says "Show me firewalls installed on this
computer. I see a notice that "Windows Firewall is actively protecting your
computer" (after I turn the firewall on). I also see the message "Note:
Two or more firewalls running at the same time can conflict with each
other", followed by the link "How does a firewall help protect my computer?"
This link leads to Help.

Before I turned Windows Firewall on, I had these messages and links:

"Windows Firewall is turned off." Button: "Turn on now" Linked text:
"Show me available options."

"Note: Two or more firewalls running at the same time can conflict with
each other", Linked text "How does a firewall help protect my computer?"

If I click on "Show me available options", I get a dialog box with two
options:
"Go online to get a different firewall program"
"I have a firewall program that I'll monitor myself."

Thanks,

David


"Richard Urban" <> wrote in message
news:...
> Open Security Center. Expand the firewall section on the right. Click on
> "Show me firewalls installed on this computer". See if you have another
> one installed.
>
> --
>
>
> Regards,
>
> Richard Urban MVP
> Microsoft Windows Shell/User
>
>
> "David Benson" <> wrote in message
> news:%...
>>I recently got a new Acer laptop that came with Vista Home Premium
>>installed. I am running McAfee VirusScan Enterprise 8.5.0i. I have not
>>yet installed a third-party firewall, so I am using the Windows Firewall
>>that is built in to Vista. When I start my computer, the Windows Firewall
>>always comes up turned off, which of course triggers a warning from
>>Security Center.
>>
>> I have looked all over and all through the Help file, but cannot find
>> anything that tells me what setting I can change so that the Windows
>> Firewall will automatically be turned on at power-up. The Services panel
>> of the Computer Management administrative tool lists the Windows Firewall
>> startup as "Automatic." I can't find any events in the Event Logs that
>> explain why it is turned off -- although I have to admit that most of the
>> data in the Event Logs is pretty much unintelligible. There are no other
>> firewalls installed (the version of McAfee I use does not include a
>> firewall).
>>
>> Anyone have any ideas?
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> David
>

OK

I have just realized that what I was referring to was placed there by the
free PCTools Firewall that I use. It is not a function of Vista.

http://www.pctools.com/firewall/

--


Regards,

Richard Urban MVP
Microsoft Windows Shell/User


"David Benson" <> wrote in message
news:O5eSh.380$%...
> Richard,
>
> I don't see a button or text that says "Show me firewalls installed on
> this computer. I see a notice that "Windows Firewall is actively
> protecting your computer" (after I turn the firewall on). I also see the
> message "Note: Two or more firewalls running at the same time can conflict
> with each other", followed by the link "How does a firewall help protect
> my computer?" This link leads to Help.
>
> Before I turned Windows Firewall on, I had these messages and links:
>
> "Windows Firewall is turned off." Button: "Turn on now" Linked text:
> "Show me available options."
>
> "Note: Two or more firewalls running at the same time can conflict with
> each other", Linked text "How does a firewall help protect my computer?"
>
> If I click on "Show me available options", I get a dialog box with two
> options:
> "Go online to get a different firewall program"
> "I have a firewall program that I'll monitor myself."
>
> Thanks,
>
> David
>
>
> "Richard Urban" <> wrote in message
> news:...
>> Open Security Center. Expand the firewall section on the right. Click on
>> "Show me firewalls installed on this computer". See if you have another
>> one installed.
>>
>> --
>>
>>
>> Regards,
>>
>> Richard Urban MVP
>> Microsoft Windows Shell/User
>>
>>
>> "David Benson" <> wrote in message
>> news:%...
>>>I recently got a new Acer laptop that came with Vista Home Premium
>>>installed. I am running McAfee VirusScan Enterprise 8.5.0i. I have not
>>>yet installed a third-party firewall, so I am using the Windows Firewall
>>>that is built in to Vista. When I start my computer, the Windows
>>>Firewall always comes up turned off, which of course triggers a warning
>>>from Security Center.
>>>
>>> I have looked all over and all through the Help file, but cannot find
>>> anything that tells me what setting I can change so that the Windows
>>> Firewall will automatically be turned on at power-up. The Services
>>> panel of the Computer Management administrative tool lists the Windows
>>> Firewall startup as "Automatic." I can't find any events in the Event
>>> Logs that explain why it is turned off -- although I have to admit that
>>> most of the data in the Event Logs is pretty much unintelligible. There
>>> are no other firewalls installed (the version of McAfee I use does not
>>> include a firewall).
>>>
>>> Anyone have any ideas?
>>>
>>> Thanks,
>>>
>>> David
>>
>
>

David,

My gut says something with McAfee is causing this. I can't think of any
other reason the firewall would be disabled at startup (short of a virus or
something else nasty that's already installed - but you mentioned it was a
brand new laptop).


J

"David Benson" <> wrote in message
news:#...
>I recently got a new Acer laptop that came with Vista Home Premium
>installed. I am running McAfee VirusScan Enterprise 8.5.0i. I have not
>yet installed a third-party firewall, so I am using the Windows Firewall
>that is built in to Vista. When I start my computer, the Windows Firewall
>always comes up turned off, which of course triggers a warning from
>Security Center.
>
> I have looked all over and all through the Help file, but cannot find
> anything that tells me what setting I can change so that the Windows
> Firewall will automatically be turned on at power-up. The Services panel
> of the Computer Management administrative tool lists the Windows Firewall
> startup as "Automatic." I can't find any events in the Event Logs that
> explain why it is turned off -- although I have to admit that most of the
> data in the Event Logs is pretty much unintelligible. There are no other
> firewalls installed (the version of McAfee I use does not include a
> firewall).
>
> Anyone have any ideas?
>
> Thanks,
>
> David

Joe,

I tested your theory by turning off the entries related to McAfee in
MSCONFIG, then restarting the computer. As expected, McAfee did not start.
Unfortunately, Windows Firewall didn't start either.

Thanks for the suggestion.

-- David

"Joe Guidera" <> wrote in message
news:854589DB-E647-423F-9BD3-...
> David,
>
> My gut says something with McAfee is causing this. I can't think of any
> other reason the firewall would be disabled at startup (short of a virus
> or something else nasty that's already installed - but you mentioned it
> was a brand new laptop).
>
>
> J
>
> "David Benson" <> wrote in message
> news:#...
>>I recently got a new Acer laptop that came with Vista Home Premium
>>installed. I am running McAfee VirusScan Enterprise 8.5.0i. I have not
>>yet installed a third-party firewall, so I am using the Windows Firewall
>>that is built in to Vista. When I start my computer, the Windows Firewall
>>always comes up turned off, which of course triggers a warning from
>>Security Center.
>>
>> I have looked all over and all through the Help file, but cannot find
>> anything that tells me what setting I can change so that the Windows
>> Firewall will automatically be turned on at power-up. The Services panel
>> of the Computer Management administrative tool lists the Windows Firewall
>> startup as "Automatic." I can't find any events in the Event Logs that
>> explain why it is turned off -- although I have to admit that most of the
>> data in the Event Logs is pretty much unintelligible. There are no other
>> firewalls installed (the version of McAfee I use does not include a
>> firewall).
>>
>> Anyone have any ideas?
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> David
>

Sorry to say then I don't know. I assume (and I think you mentioned it)
that you checked and the service startup type for Windows Firewall is
automatic? Nothing in the event log provides any help?

J

"David Benson" <> wrote in message
news:#BZ$...
> Joe,
>
> I tested your theory by turning off the entries related to McAfee in
> MSCONFIG, then restarting the computer. As expected, McAfee did not
> start. Unfortunately, Windows Firewall didn't start either.
>
> Thanks for the suggestion.
>
> -- David
>
> "Joe Guidera" <> wrote in message
> news:854589DB-E647-423F-9BD3-...
>> David,
>>
>> My gut says something with McAfee is causing this. I can't think of any
>> other reason the firewall would be disabled at startup (short of a virus
>> or something else nasty that's already installed - but you mentioned it
>> was a brand new laptop).
>>
>>
>> J
>>
>> "David Benson" <> wrote in message
>> news:#...
>>>I recently got a new Acer laptop that came with Vista Home Premium
>>>installed. I am running McAfee VirusScan Enterprise 8.5.0i. I have not
>>>yet installed a third-party firewall, so I am using the Windows Firewall
>>>that is built in to Vista. When I start my computer, the Windows
>>>Firewall always comes up turned off, which of course triggers a warning
>>>from Security Center.
>>>
>>> I have looked all over and all through the Help file, but cannot find
>>> anything that tells me what setting I can change so that the Windows
>>> Firewall will automatically be turned on at power-up. The Services
>>> panel of the Computer Management administrative tool lists the Windows
>>> Firewall startup as "Automatic." I can't find any events in the Event
>>> Logs that explain why it is turned off -- although I have to admit that
>>> most of the data in the Event Logs is pretty much unintelligible. There
>>> are no other firewalls installed (the version of McAfee I use does not
>>> include a firewall).
>>>
>>> Anyone have any ideas?
>>>
>>> Thanks,
>>>
>>> David
>>
>

Well, I'm not all that thrilled about using Windows Firewall anyway -- I was
just waiting until something better became Vista-compatible. If PCTools
Firewall is good enough for an MVP, it's probably good enough for me!

Thanks for your assistance.

-- David


"Richard Urban" <> wrote in message
news:...
> OK
>
> I have just realized that what I was referring to was placed there by the
> free PCTools Firewall that I use. It is not a function of Vista.
>
> http://www.pctools.com/firewall/
>
> --
>
>
> Regards,
>
> Richard Urban MVP
> Microsoft Windows Shell/User
>
>
> "David Benson" <> wrote in message
> news:O5eSh.380$%...
> > Richard,
> >
> > I don't see a button or text that says "Show me firewalls installed on
> > this computer. I see a notice that "Windows Firewall is actively
> > protecting your computer" (after I turn the firewall on). I also see
the
> > message "Note: Two or more firewalls running at the same time can
conflict
> > with each other", followed by the link "How does a firewall help protect
> > my computer?" This link leads to Help.
> >
> > Before I turned Windows Firewall on, I had these messages and links:
> >
> > "Windows Firewall is turned off." Button: "Turn on now" Linked text:
> > "Show me available options."
> >
> > "Note: Two or more firewalls running at the same time can conflict with
> > each other", Linked text "How does a firewall help protect my
computer?"
> >
> > If I click on "Show me available options", I get a dialog box with two
> > options:
> > "Go online to get a different firewall program"
> > "I have a firewall program that I'll monitor myself."
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > David
> >
> >
> > "Richard Urban" <> wrote in message
> > news:...
> >> Open Security Center. Expand the firewall section on the right. Click
on
> >> "Show me firewalls installed on this computer". See if you have another
> >> one installed.
> >>
> >> --
> >>
> >>
> >> Regards,
> >>
> >> Richard Urban MVP
> >> Microsoft Windows Shell/User
> >>
> >>
> >> "David Benson" <> wrote in message
> >> news:%...
> >>>I recently got a new Acer laptop that came with Vista Home Premium
> >>>installed. I am running McAfee VirusScan Enterprise 8.5.0i. I have
not
> >>>yet installed a third-party firewall, so I am using the Windows
Firewall
> >>>that is built in to Vista. When I start my computer, the Windows
> >>>Firewall always comes up turned off, which of course triggers a warning
> >>>from Security Center.
> >>>
> >>> I have looked all over and all through the Help file, but cannot find
> >>> anything that tells me what setting I can change so that the Windows
> >>> Firewall will automatically be turned on at power-up. The Services
> >>> panel of the Computer Management administrative tool lists the Windows
> >>> Firewall startup as "Automatic." I can't find any events in the Event
> >>> Logs that explain why it is turned off -- although I have to admit
that
> >>> most of the data in the Event Logs is pretty much unintelligible.
There
> >>> are no other firewalls installed (the version of McAfee I use does not
> >>> include a firewall).
> >>>
> >>> Anyone have any ideas?
> >>>
> >>> Thanks,
> >>>
> >>> David
> >>
> >
> >
>

Please! Do not allow that to be your only selection criteria. <grin>

I am just waiting for the Vista compatible version of ZoneAlarm to be
released. I have been beta testing it but it nowhere near ready for prime
time.

That being said, PCTools Firewall Plus does seem pretty good at this point.

--


Regards,

Richard Urban MVP
Microsoft Windows Shell/User


"David Benson" <> wrote in message
news:...
> Well, I'm not all that thrilled about using Windows Firewall anyway -- I
> was
> just waiting until something better became Vista-compatible. If PCTools
> Firewall is good enough for an MVP, it's probably good enough for me!
>
> Thanks for your assistance.
>
> -- David
>
>
> "Richard Urban" <> wrote in message
> news:...
>> OK
>>
>> I have just realized that what I was referring to was placed there by the
>> free PCTools Firewall that I use. It is not a function of Vista.
>>
>> http://www.pctools.com/firewall/
>>
>> --
>>
>>
>> Regards,
>>
>> Richard Urban MVP
>> Microsoft Windows Shell/User
>>
>>
>> "David Benson" <> wrote in message
>> news:O5eSh.380$%...
>> > Richard,
>> >
>> > I don't see a button or text that says "Show me firewalls installed on
>> > this computer. I see a notice that "Windows Firewall is actively
>> > protecting your computer" (after I turn the firewall on). I also see
> the
>> > message "Note: Two or more firewalls running at the same time can
> conflict
>> > with each other", followed by the link "How does a firewall help
>> > protect
>> > my computer?" This link leads to Help.
>> >
>> > Before I turned Windows Firewall on, I had these messages and links:
>> >
>> > "Windows Firewall is turned off." Button: "Turn on now" Linked text:
>> > "Show me available options."
>> >
>> > "Note: Two or more firewalls running at the same time can conflict
>> > with
>> > each other", Linked text "How does a firewall help protect my
> computer?"
>> >
>> > If I click on "Show me available options", I get a dialog box with two
>> > options:
>> > "Go online to get a different firewall program"
>> > "I have a firewall program that I'll monitor myself."
>> >
>> > Thanks,
>> >
>> > David
>> >
>> >
>> > "Richard Urban" <> wrote in message
>> > news:...
>> >> Open Security Center. Expand the firewall section on the right. Click
> on
>> >> "Show me firewalls installed on this computer". See if you have
>> >> another
>> >> one installed.
>> >>
>> >> --
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> Regards,
>> >>
>> >> Richard Urban MVP
>> >> Microsoft Windows Shell/User
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> "David Benson" <> wrote in message
>> >> news:%...
>> >>>I recently got a new Acer laptop that came with Vista Home Premium
>> >>>installed. I am running McAfee VirusScan Enterprise 8.5.0i. I have
> not
>> >>>yet installed a third-party firewall, so I am using the Windows
> Firewall
>> >>>that is built in to Vista. When I start my computer, the Windows
>> >>>Firewall always comes up turned off, which of course triggers a
>> >>>warning
>> >>>from Security Center.
>> >>>
>> >>> I have looked all over and all through the Help file, but cannot find
>> >>> anything that tells me what setting I can change so that the Windows
>> >>> Firewall will automatically be turned on at power-up. The Services
>> >>> panel of the Computer Management administrative tool lists the
>> >>> Windows
>> >>> Firewall startup as "Automatic." I can't find any events in the
>> >>> Event
>> >>> Logs that explain why it is turned off -- although I have to admit
> that
>> >>> most of the data in the Event Logs is pretty much unintelligible.
> There
>> >>> are no other firewalls installed (the version of McAfee I use does
>> >>> not
>> >>> include a firewall).
>> >>>
>> >>> Anyone have any ideas?
>> >>>
>> >>> Thanks,
>> >>>
>> >>> David
>> >>
>> >
>> >
>>
>
>

By the way - after I installed PCTools Firewall Plus, I clicked on the link
you suggested. The only firewalls that showed up were Windows Firewall and
PCTools Firewall Plus. That means that before I installed PCTools, the only
firewall was Windows Firewall -- so a different firewall was not what was
causing it not to start.


-- David


"Richard Urban" <> wrote in message
news:edg%...
> Please! Do not allow that to be your only selection criteria. <grin>
>
> I am just waiting for the Vista compatible version of ZoneAlarm to be
> released. I have been beta testing it but it nowhere near ready for prime
> time.
>
> That being said, PCTools Firewall Plus does seem pretty good at this
> point.
>
> --
>
>
> Regards,
>
> Richard Urban MVP
> Microsoft Windows Shell/User
>
>
> "David Benson" <> wrote in message
> news:...
>> Well, I'm not all that thrilled about using Windows Firewall anyway -- I
>> was
>> just waiting until something better became Vista-compatible. If PCTools
>> Firewall is good enough for an MVP, it's probably good enough for me!
>>
>> Thanks for your assistance.
>>
>> -- David
>>
>>
>> "Richard Urban" <> wrote in message
>> news:...
>>> OK
>>>
>>> I have just realized that what I was referring to was placed there by
>>> the
>>> free PCTools Firewall that I use. It is not a function of Vista.
>>>
>>> http://www.pctools.com/firewall/
>>>
>>> --
>>>
>>>
>>> Regards,
>>>
>>> Richard Urban MVP
>>> Microsoft Windows Shell/User
>>>
>>>
>>> "David Benson" <> wrote in message
>>> news:O5eSh.380$%...
>>> > Richard,
>>> >
>>> > I don't see a button or text that says "Show me firewalls installed on
>>> > this computer. I see a notice that "Windows Firewall is actively
>>> > protecting your computer" (after I turn the firewall on). I also see
>> the
>>> > message "Note: Two or more firewalls running at the same time can
>> conflict
>>> > with each other", followed by the link "How does a firewall help
>>> > protect
>>> > my computer?" This link leads to Help.
>>> >
>>> > Before I turned Windows Firewall on, I had these messages and links:
>>> >
>>> > "Windows Firewall is turned off." Button: "Turn on now" Linked
>>> > text:
>>> > "Show me available options."
>>> >
>>> > "Note: Two or more firewalls running at the same time can conflict
>>> > with
>>> > each other", Linked text "How does a firewall help protect my
>> computer?"
>>> >
>>> > If I click on "Show me available options", I get a dialog box with two
>>> > options:
>>> > "Go online to get a different firewall program"
>>> > "I have a firewall program that I'll monitor myself."
>>> >
>>> > Thanks,
>>> >
>>> > David
>>> >
>>> >
>>> > "Richard Urban" <> wrote in message
>>> > news:...
>>> >> Open Security Center. Expand the firewall section on the right. Click
>> on
>>> >> "Show me firewalls installed on this computer". See if you have
>>> >> another
>>> >> one installed.
>>> >>
>>> >> --
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> Regards,
>>> >>
>>> >> Richard Urban MVP
>>> >> Microsoft Windows Shell/User
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> "David Benson" <> wrote in message
>>> >> news:%...
>>> >>>I recently got a new Acer laptop that came with Vista Home Premium
>>> >>>installed. I am running McAfee VirusScan Enterprise 8.5.0i. I have
>> not
>>> >>>yet installed a third-party firewall, so I am using the Windows
>> Firewall
>>> >>>that is built in to Vista. When I start my computer, the Windows
>>> >>>Firewall always comes up turned off, which of course triggers a
>>> >>>warning
>>> >>>from Security Center.
>>> >>>
>>> >>> I have looked all over and all through the Help file, but cannot
>>> >>> find
>>> >>> anything that tells me what setting I can change so that the Windows
>>> >>> Firewall will automatically be turned on at power-up. The Services
>>> >>> panel of the Computer Management administrative tool lists the
>>> >>> Windows
>>> >>> Firewall startup as "Automatic." I can't find any events in the
>>> >>> Event
>>> >>> Logs that explain why it is turned off -- although I have to admit
>> that
>>> >>> most of the data in the Event Logs is pretty much unintelligible.
>> There
>>> >>> are no other firewalls installed (the version of McAfee I use does
>>> >>> not
>>> >>> include a firewall).
>>> >>>
>>> >>> Anyone have any ideas?
>>> >>>
>>> >>> Thanks,
>>> >>>
>>> >>> David
>>> >>
>>> >
>>> >
>>>
>>
>>
>