Final Help before I use removal tool please??

Ok so i had a thread here with  few issues

 

http://community.norton.com/t5/Norton-Internet-Security-Norton/Can-t-launch-exe-files-and-other-issues/m-p/913089#M232159

 

But today it got worse when I couldnt launch either of my browsers. Tried for 40 mins then eventually opened Norton and found setting to turn off smart firewall - after turning this off the browser launched straight away.

 

I chatted to a live suport guy today who was helpful but they wanted $70 for a guy to take contrl of my laptop and apply settings so it would work fine with stuff I had on - I said no way, I have managed with free av too up to now and only took Norton as it was on a deal with new laptop. If you need to spend $70 for a pro to get the settings right then as far as I am concerned your product ain't up to much.

 

He then said he would pass me to second line support to talk me through what i could do myself to get it to work better. After 15 minutes waiting no one came to chat to me so I left.

 

So questions

 

i) what can i do about this smart firewall setting - can't open browser without it off now so what am i supposed to do ?!?

 

ii) I am willing to give it one more try so will  a removal and reinstall of Norton help ? And if so where can I find the removal tool

 

thanks people