thanks for the help everyone. i suppose i'll try out the pctools FW. i really want to start using windows again, i quite like windows security and all the freeware too.
my install is already really unstable and i've only used it for about one week in all
i don't have a windows disc either, only restore discs i made and they have loads of rubbish on so i can't use them. i'm not sure what to do, but maybe i'll start another thread about that!
i looked at tweaking the builtin FW but it looks really horrible to setup, i might just wait 6 months and hope a nice FW is out by then and there should be more vista setup guides i can follow too, i have no clue what's going on with it lol