Thanks for your replies....
XP firewall must operate differently to 2k3 Server.... I actually have a VPN running on a 2K3 server machine without any problems - didn't even need to make any exceptions for the firewall....
I've actually read some MS documentation that actually states - to use the vpn of xp, you have to disable the firewall - how stupid is that!!
So I think my plan now, is to experiment with third party firewalls - preferably free ones... Anyone got any experience on this front?
Gonna try ZoneAlarm first.....
Cheers