...when I try(windows XP)? I go to start>control panel>>security settings>windows firewall

but when I click on windows firewall it says "Due to an unidentified problem, windows cannot display windows firewall settings"

is there an alternate way to access these settings? or a way to fix this problem?

You probably are not the listed administrator for that computer or do not have the rights of an administrator. The computer, in that case, is just doing what it was told and not letting just anyone change security settings.

Enter through the listed administrator's account and see if that helps, or you may be able to give your self the same rights.

A possible solution
- http://windowsxp.mvps.org/sharedaccess.htm
- or try this ~> go to start ~> run~> type services.msc
scroll down the list and look for Windows Firewall and under the status make sure its set as "started" if not click start on the left