firewall is erratic on xp startup. Delays and says [ firewall is not on ]. 1 person needs an answerI do too

What firewall are you using? What antivirus/security programs do you have installed?MS-MVP - Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!

Start > run > type services.msc > ok. The Services will display and scroll down to Windows Firewall. At the right under startup type, it should be "automatic". If not, double click on the line, in the dialog box under startup type change to automatic via the drop down menu.

But this will only work if the OP doesn't have an antivirus/security suite installed which has its own "security console" component. As so many of them do. Hence my question to the OP. Just the facts, Ma'am. :-)MS-MVP - Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!