Automatically start the application with Windows (Recommended) - With this option checked, Comodo Firewall Pro will be automatically loaded every time you start your computer. This is the default and highly recommended setting. Unchecking this box means the application will not load at computer startup and, unless you have an alternative firewall/intrusion detection system running, your computer will not be protected.
Comodo is also not active is the cfp.exe not started? What doing cmdagend.exe?
I turned off my Windows-XP Firewall and disable the Comodo Autostart, result is:
If cfp.exe not started, my Windows XP say: Firewall is active.
When cfp.exe is not running, is Comodo Firewall active or not?
Normally, you’ll have only your firewall protection active if cfp.exe is shut down (that means, if it’s not in your rules, it’ll get blocked). For Defense+, you’ll need to go to Defense+ → Advanced → Defense+ Settings and check Block all the unknown requests if the application is closed if you wish to activate Defense+ when cfp.exe is shut down. Note that you won’t get any alerts at all with cfp.exe shut down.