stief,

from post number 2 here http://www.websecurity.mobi/network-...ediculous.html it would appear that it's the opposite of what you're saying there. apparently my port 80 (html, web pages) port, for example, is blocked -- from the outside that is. it only works when and if i make the initial request. then port 80 is open. so the only way to find out if port number 80 for example is open at all is for me to make the initial request, so it looks like a port scan to find out what ports are open is to use a tool on my machine which makes the initial outgoing request of some sort -- not sure if something at the other end to receive or not receive is required though. maybe Port Scan in Network Utility will be of use? not sure. am trying it now.

as i said, from the port scan here http://www.auditmypc.com/firewall-test.asp apparently all my ports are blocked. but that's incoming. still not sure if that's a 100% believable but it makes more sense knowing about the outgoing vs incoming issue.

thanks