Run spyware programs, Adaware SE, Spybot Search & Destroy, SpywareBlaster,
CWShredder, are most recommended to clean your system, spyware, adware,
malware, trojans, etc. cause all kind of problems including disabling the
Windows Firewall... parasites are getting nastier and more difficult to
delete... so regular scanning of the system is recommended to get them
before they accumulate and make symptoms worse.
Download the programs and update them before the first scan. This is a safe
site and all programs are available there in the same page.
http://www.majorgeeks.com/downloads31.html
Also check in the Windows Firewall service\Dependences\check other services
on which the Firewall service depends, check that they are all running...
Services depend on others and others depend on them, so if one service is
disabled, another depending on it can also be disabled, which may be the
case. So check in Dependences\top window, those are services that Windows
Firewall depends on, make a note, and check them one by one that they all
are running.
particularly make sure the NLA (Network Location Awareness) Service in is
dependencies and itself is running;... check that service is enabled in
Manual mode and running, if not enable it and restart the computer. If the
NLA service is enabled and that does not help, do the following:
PROBLEM
Windows cannot start the Windows Firewall/Internet Connection Sharing (ICS)
service.
SOLUTION
Perform the following steps in XP SP2 if you get the above message when
trying to activate its new firewall.
1) Reset the Winsock.
a) Go to the command prompt.
b) Type the command "Netsh winsock reset" (without the quotes), and press
ENTER.
c) This won't take effect until after you re-boot in step 4.
2) Install and run a spyware-removal program.
Some spyware won't let you activate your firewall, for obvious reasons.
Spybot Search & Destroy and Lavasoft's Ad-Aware are recommended.
3) Make sure the ICS (Internet Connection Sharing) service is set to start
automatically.
a) Go to the Control Panel.
b) Double-click "Administrative Tools".
c) Double-click "Services".
d) Scroll to the bottom of the list; double-click "Windows
Firewall/Internet Connection Sharing (ICS)"
e) Make sure the Startup type is set to Automatic.
f) Click Apply, if needed.
g) Click OK.
4) Restart your system.
5) Your firewall should now be up. Check it by going to the Control Panel.
a) Double-click the Security Center Icon
b) The firewall section will be green and say "ON".
---------------------------------