Can you go into Device Manager/View/Show hidden devices/Non-Plug and Play Drivers and check that the Windows Firewall Authorization Driver doesn't have a yellow alert next to it any other yellow alerts throughout Device Manager.
A work around to the Firewall not starting is to install a 3rd party antivirus program that has its own firewall which will auto disable the Windows one.
As you are unable to get online with this particular machine, if you have another (as you haven't said what you are using to post), you could select Save and transfer it across with an USB stick.
Panda Free is getting recommended more these days because it uses the cloud so it doesn't have a heavy footprint.
http://filehippo.com/download_panda_free_antivirus/
I assume you have scanned your computer for infections as they can disable firewalls.
The free version of MBAM is a robust scanner and is worth running a scan with that.
http://filehippo.com/download_malwarebytes_anti_malware/
I tried installing panda but it needs online access to install even after downloading the installer on a diff pc, I'll try a diff firewall program too.
I've run scans of anti-rootkit, etc and they have cleaned but still no firewall service.
I was hoping that WR would replace the registry keys and permissions for me.
I cant see a Windows Firewall Authorization driver in device manager even with show hidden devices ticked. I can see two Base System Devices with an exclamation mark though, not sure what these are.
Thanks
Richard