I have a web site on my XP Pro computer. I installed Norton Firewall 2002 which said that this was supported and gave instructions on how to set this up. I could not get it to work. When Norton Firewall 2003 came out I upgraded, thinking that surely they had fixed this problem.

The Norton Firewall 2003 help does say that that this is supported:
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If you run a Web server

To let a Web server run behind Norton Personal Firewall, you must create a firewall rule that allows inbound TCP connections on port 80. The easiest way to create these rules is via a Norton Personal Firewall alert.

To create rules for a Web server using a Norton Personal Firewall alert
On the Web server, view your Web site by typing the IP address in the address bar of your browser.

Norton Personal Firewall displays an alert.
In the alert, in the drop-down menu, click Automatically configure Internet access.
Click OK.
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I believe this is pretty much what they said in the help for the 2002 version.

However, the readme.txt file contradicts this:
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Installation on computers running server services

Symantec does not support running any version of Norton Internet Security or Norton Personal Firewall on any edition of Windows 2000, Windows XP, or .NET servers. If you choose to install Norton Internet Security on a server, no technical support beyond the Symantec KnowledgeBase will be provided.

Windows servers need to perform certain Internet services during startup that Norton Internet Security normally blocks. This can affect computers running IIS or other servers on Windows 2000/XP professional.

Symantec provides technical notes that explain how to configure Norton Internet Security to allow server processes that need access to the Internet during
startup. The technical notes are available from the Symantec KnowledgeBase at:

http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/nip.nsf/docid/2000053008391436
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This knowledge base article contains a detailed and complex explanation of how to set up an ftp server, but makes no mention of web servers. Perhaps we are supposed to be able to extrapolate the web server instructions from the ftp instructions, but the ftp instructions seem far to detailed for this to be possible.

Does anyone know how to get a Windows XP web server to work behind Norton Firewall 2003?

If this is impossible, can anyone recommend suitable firewall software?

hi tony,
perhaps you should think of scraping the norton firewall and going with something a little less expensive, a lot less weighty in terms of foot print, and a lot better in terms of quality of security and services. try any of these fine free firewalls such as: sygate, kerio, outpost, zonealarm, look n stop lite.
you'll find that any of these free ones will do the job, or you can purchase any of the pro models of these products of which Look n Stop is the best. for more info on firewalls go to www.thepublicworks.com security section and link to firewalls and security, firewall guide, firewall security, pratically networked, firewall forensic.
hope this helps,
murve

Hello Tony,
I agree with the response made by Murve, forget Norton firewall and try program very well known in the NET, as ZoneAlarm : www.zonealarm.com, or SYGATE: http://soho.sygate.com/products/shield_ov.htm
Personnaly I prefer Sygate,
in both site you have a basic which are generally freewares, or the "pro" versions to get a better protection.
Try already the freeware option.... I think this is enough for a regular and personal use.

Thanks guys. I'll take a look at the products that you recommended.

Tony