Anilrgowda

After installing, un-installing and reinstalling SP2, Windows Firewall won't start. If I go to Windows Firewall in the Control Panel, I get the message:

Windows Firewall Settings connot be displayed because the associated service is not running. Do you want to start the Windows Firewall/Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) service?

I click Yes and it tries to start, however, then I get the message:

Windows cannot start the Windows Firewall/Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) service.

May be a bad winsock issue, Try running this Winsock Repair for XP >> WinSock XP Fix - fix XP internet connectivity download, reviewed and rated from Spychecker.com -
And before running it, disconnect from interent and create a system restore point for precautions!

You can also read this article,
You cannot start the Windows Firewall service in Windows XP Service Pack 2
You cannot start the Windows Firewall service in Windows XP Service Pack 2