Troubleshooting Windows Firewall settings in Windows XP SP2

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Troubleshooting Windows Firewall settings in Windows XP Service Pack 2
See http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=884130 for more information

After installing Windows XP Service Pack 2, you may see unexpected behavior or error messages from antivirus software, third-party firewall software, games, and utilities, you might need a vendor-supplied update.

Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) includes Microsoft Windows Firewall, the updated firewall software that replaces Internet Connection Firewall (ICF). If Microsoft Windows Firewall is blocking a port that is used by a service or by a program, you can configure the Windows Firewall to create an exception. Windows Firewall may be blocking a program or a service if the following conditions are true:
• Programs do not respond to a client's request.
• Client programs do not receive data from the server.

A Windows Firewall Security Alert may notify you that Windows Firewall is blocking a particular program. When this scenario occurs, you may unblock the program by selecting Unblock this program in the Security Alert dialog box. To help determine which programs and ports are being blocked, you can configure Windows Firewall to log dropped packets. With Windows Firewall Netsh Helper, you can configure Windows Firewall and Windows Firewall logging at the command prompt. Program compatibility may not always be the issue. Group Policy settings can also prevent programs from running. Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) includes several utilities that you can use to troubleshoot Windows Firewall issues.

The Microsoft article "Programs that are known to experience a loss of functionality when they run on a Windows XP Service Pack 2-based computer" (http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=884130) has a lengthy list of programs that aren't compatible with SP2. Either the applications don’t install or function properly, or they interfere with normal XP operations. Although not all-inclusive, the list provides a starting point for troubleshooting incompatibilities.

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Keywords: fire wall, block, WinXP