Why is it, that some days I can turn my computer on with a cup of coffee and enjoy a quick game of MSN online Spades and other days (like today), I can't?

I keep getting that message that says ports closed and then suggests Ports that I should open?? If it works once, why wouldn't it work all the time??

Well, next I go to Windows Firewall and I am always afraid to change any of the settings, first, because I have no idea what I am doing and second, because I see all the banners "saying Highly recommend not changing any settings because of viruses etc""

By the way, I tried opening other MSN games "checkers and I think Texas Hold em" and the computer zipped right to them... But, I don't want to play those games .. LOL.. So what is a girl to do?