Fresh Install Mdk 10: Shorewall Blocks Net Access

First time Linux user.
Just installed Mandrake 10 from CDs onto a brand new desktop and used the 'default' settings for a stand alone workstation. Just want word processing, email and internet access. No Lan, no dual boot.
The new computer came with a winmodem which I disabled in the BIOS, before installing Linux.
My Serial port ext. modem is linked to ttyS0 and works fine. Using PPP, I connected to a local ISP, and visited web sites OK. But when I went into MCC and activated the Firewall by unchecking all the options, the modem connection continues, but browsers return error messages like: 'Google.com could not be found' for every url you try.

I've read the Help notes, but I'm not sure what they mean, and I'm concerned I'll mess the settings up.

Why can I access sites without the firewall activated, but not with it?

I've just run my first ever command line: Here's the result, and to post this message, I had to disable Shorewall!

Please help.

Colin

[root@localhost colin]# /etc/init.d/shorewall restart
Loading /usr/share/shorewall/functions...
Processing /etc/shorewall/params ...
Processing /etc/shorewall/shorewall.conf...

Notice: The 'check' command is unsupported and problem
reports complaining about errors that it didn't catch
will not be accepted

Shorewall has detected the following iptables/netfilter capabilities:
NAT: Available
Packet Mangling: Available
Multi-port Match: Available
Connection Tracking Match: Available
Verifying Configuration...
Loading Modules...
Determining Zones...
Zones: net
Validating interfaces file...
Validating hosts file...
Determining Hosts in Zones...
Net Zone: eth0:0.0.0.0/0
Validating policy file...
Policy for fw to net is ACCEPT using chain fw2net
Policy for net to fw is DROP using chain net2all
Validating rules file...
Configuration Validated

Notice: The 'check' command is unsupported and problem
reports complaining about errors that it didn't catch
will not be accepted

Loading /usr/share/shorewall/functions...
Processing /etc/shorewall/params ...
Processing /etc/shorewall/shorewall.conf...
Shorewall Not Currently Running
Starting Shorewall...
Loading Modules...
Initializing...
Shorewall has detected the following iptables/netfilter capabilities:
NAT: Available
Packet Mangling: Available
Multi-port Match: Available
Connection Tracking Match: Available
Determining Zones...
Zones: net
Validating interfaces file...
Validating hosts file...
Validating Policy file...
Determining Hosts in Zones...
Net Zone: eth0:0.0.0.0/0
Processing /etc/shorewall/init ...
Deleting user chains...
Setting up Accounting...
Setting up User Sets...
Creating Interface Chains...
Configuring Proxy ARP
Setting up NAT...
Adding Common Rules
IP Forwarding Enabled
Processing /etc/shorewall/tunnels...
Processing /etc/shorewall/rules...
Processing /etc/shorewall/policy...
Policy ACCEPT for fw to net using chain fw2net
Masqueraded Subnets and Hosts:
Processing /etc/shorewall/tos...
Rule "all all tcp - ssh 16" added.
Rule "all all tcp ssh - 16" added.
Rule "all all tcp - ftp 16" added.
Rule "all all tcp ftp - 16" added.
Rule "all all tcp ftp-data - 8" added.
Rule "all all tcp - ftp-data 8" added.
Processing /etc/shorewall/ecn...
Activating Rules...
Processing /etc/shorewall/start ...
Shorewall Started

Since posting this, I've discovered it is a common bug with Mandrake 10, and the best thing for Linux Newbies to do is disable Shorewall, and install another Firewall. I chose GuardDog 2.0, downloaded it, read the notes, installed it, and tested it in under an hour. It works fine, and I'm now using the web without problems, after *two days* struggling with Shorewall.

I've also noticed that Kfind doesn't work when you start a search from file: including all sub folders. When you attempt a search, say for a known file name, you hear your drive cycling, and after a minute's wait an error message pops up. 'Kfind is not responding'

Also Kontact's Knotes does not open fully, it stalls half way and hangs there until a similar error notice appears.
'Knotes is not responding.'

Everything else seems to work.

My install was from CDs and used 'default settings', on a brand new computer. (Yes, I've tried reinstalling several times.)

My old Windows computer is 233Mghz Win98, and I was dismayed to see OpenOffice on my new computer takes much longer (about 40 seconds) to open than Word on my WinBox (about 15 seconds). Despite my new computer using a 2.4Ghz CPU! ('Everything will work ten times faster!' I presumed.)

I'll persist with Linux, only because I'm tired of the virus and spyware problems with Windows.

Does anyone know why Kfind and Knotes are not working properly? Is it a known bug, or did I buy a duff set of CDs?
Can I download Kfind and Knotes and reinstall just those modules to see if that fixes it?

Your comments please...