Firewall blocks network traffic

After installing vista updates a few weeks ago my laptop lost all connections
with the internet (Wireless and bluetooth). After spending untold hours
trying to resolve it I decided to take the firewall down, just to try
connecting with it down. The firewall screen told me that I, the
administrator, was not allowed to turn the firewall off because of some group
policy. I'm not on a domain and have no idea whats up with that! Anyway, a
few frustrated hours later I go into services and shut the firewall down the
hard way. Suddenly I'm on the net.

Anyone have suggestions on this issue? I hate having to keep shutting the
firewall service down everytime I reboot and don't like that I have to keep
it down in the first place.

Thanks in advance,
Kelly