Does Windows inbuilt firewall fail to work with the routers firewall and result in conflict?

Question

I have a Linksys router, it has a default firewall on wether or not turned on. I've tried opening ports and even using DMZ in extreme for programs but it seems the only suggestion is "your behind a firewall" now in regards to the question are my 2 firewalls conflicting and nothing is working out? Because sometimes I can lose my connection.

Answer 1

Both XP and Vista have the builtin firewall feature. I use it. it's there and it does its job.

If you really want more security add a third party firewall like Comodo. I use it on one of my PCs. Also, other all around firewall programs like Kaspersky (I have it) and Norton (i used it) and others have their own built in firewalls. Depending on the product either it will disable Windows FW or work alongside with it. in either case no problems.  

Answer 2

A hardware firewall (on the router) and a software firewall (Windows Firewall or other firewall software) won't conflict like that, however if a specific program is having trouble because of a firewall you need to open the ports it uses on both the hardware firewall and on the software firewall. (Frankly I don't use the XP built-in Windows Firewall, it's not all that good a firewall IMHO, I use a free 3rd party one.)

Having a software firewall in addition to a hardware firewall just adds another layer of protection. (Which sometimes you may need to get around.)