enabling firewall in XP

Question

A friend of mine is having a problem enabling his XP firewall.  He recently changed ISPs.  When he did, prior to receiving te software for the ISP he received an access number and was using it as a 'temp' connection to get on the internet.  He has now downloaded the software, and when he goes to Network Connections to set the firewall, there are two icons showing...one for the 'temp' and one for the 'ISP.'  He can set the firewall on the 'temp,' but when he right clicks on the 'ISP' nothing happens.  Double clicking on the 'ISP' icon does nothing.  What does he need to do to remove the 'ISP' icon and replace it with one that works so that he can enable the firewall?

superman59 · Answer

set your IPS icon as default (with little check mark) and then right click on the IPS icon - properties-enable firewall by check 'Protect my computer and nework by limiting or .........' and then chick 'OK'

tobsbf · Answer

Thanks for your reply, Superman...but...the 'ISP' icon was selected as the default, but when we right clicked on the icon, nothing happened.  Right clicking on the 'temp' icon lets us select properties, etc., to enable the firewall.  We 'unselected' the 'ISP' icon as default, and still we got nothing.  Double clicking on the 'temp' icon brings up a connection window.  Double clicking on the 'ISP' icon does nothing.

superman59 · Answer

try to delete 'temp' and leave 'ISP' icon only, if it does not restore 'temp' back from Recycle Bin. post back here if any problem.

tobsbf · Answer

Superman...I decided to try to delete and restore my ISP (AOL) icon before messing with my friend's computer.  Since he won't be able to right click and delete the icon (right clicking does not do anything), I thought that I would see what would happen if I dragged my icon to the recycle bin and dropped it.  So I did.  But it's not in the recycle bin.  I have no idea where it went.  I can still get on the internet, so I have no idea what the icon in  Network Connections is for, actually.  But...I don't want to try this on my friend's computer.  Thanks anyway for your suggestion.

gryjhnhpe · Answer

Microsoft Note: 'If you have an AOL dial-up Internet connection, it cannot be protected by the Internet Connection Firewall in Windows XP. The firewall does not interfere with the AOL connection. But you cannot configure AOL dial-up connection software in the Network Connections folder on your Windows XP computer,'

tobsbf · Answer

Thanks for mentioning about AOL not supporting the XP firewall with its dialup connection, Gary.  I forgot to mention that while I have AOL, my friend, who is experiencing the problem, has a different ISP.

gryjhnhpe · Answer

OK , what is your friends ISP.? , as it may also apply to their ISP. Message Edited by gryjhnhpe on 02-28-2004 04:06 PM

tobsbf · Answer

Gary...after I posted that last message I realized that I should have mentioned my friend's ISP...he has PeoplePC.  The thing that I don't understand is that when he called PeoplePC to set up his account, and they gave him the access number and set up his 'temp' connection...that icon under Network Connections works as far as being able to go to Properties and enable the firewall.  When he loaded the software for PeoplePC and the software put the icon under Network Connections, he right clicks on Properties (for the PeoplePC icon) and nothing happens.  Maybe it's a PeoplePC problem...

gryjhnhpe · Answer

Found this info on PeoplePC'Do I have to use PeoplePC software?Yes, PeoplePC’s Smart Dialer software will give you the most reliable connections to the Internet.' I don't have AOL or PeoplePC but as PeoplePC uses a 'Smart Dialer' the Firewall restriction of AOL probably applies to it also.

tobsbf · Answer

Gary...I just called PeoplePC and they said that the WIndows XP firewall works with their program.  I'm going to get with my friend in a day or two and call PeoplePC from his place and see if they can help figure out why the icon isn't working.  Thanks for all your help...

gryjhnhpe · Answer

OK , he could try downloading Software again or try to get it on a CD if available.

tobsbf · Answer

I think I am done with this problem now.  Today we removed and then reinstalled the PeoplePC software.  The icon still didn't let us see 'Properties' so that we could enable the firewall.  We called PeoplePC, who could only suggest that we download a free firewall from Alarm Zone.  Since that was going to be my next step if PeoplePC couldn't help, that is exactly what we did.  Maybe someday I will learn why the icon didn't work, and how to fix it...but I'm not going to worry about it now!

gryjhnhpe · Answer

Strange that PeoplePC didn't try to suggest fix for problem of using XP Firewall.
If your friends Computer Network Connection icon behaves the same as your AOL icon then I suspect PeoplePC can't use XP Firewall like AOL probably because of use of Smart Dialer.
My ISP tech has given me wrong before.

Curios.?
I don't have AOL so does the AOL software configure Internet Options , Connections tab.?

Message Edited by gryjhnhpe on 03-02-2004 07:49 AM

tobsbf · Answer

Gary...My AOL icon acts as it is supposed to.  I right click on it in Network Connections and then click on Properties, and the 'America Online Properties' screen comes up.  I could select the XP firewall if I wanted...but I know that it doesn't work with AOL.  WIth my friend, when we right click on the PeoplePC icon in Network Connections, nothing happens.  No properties screen comes up.  It's as if the icon is inactive.   It was easier to download a firewall program than to deal with the PeoplePC tech who only read information from his handy book/computer.  My friend is not computer literate (not that I am, either) and he was really getting frustrated with things.  This way he can now use his computer.  The reason I got involved in the first place was that he had a couple of viruses on his computer.  He is now rid of them, and we didn't want him getting any more.

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enabling firewall in XP

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