[PLUG] Question for your hardware guru's

[Vanda Bushfield]

Greetings,
I dont know if this is the best place to ask a computer related question,
but if not, hey, it'll give everyone someone to flame :)

So anyhow, here's my problem.

I live in one of these local apartment complex's that offers internet
service through the complex, but the one I live in isnt DSL or Cable or
anything.  It seems to be basically some kind of shared T-1 system thats
administered by some local networking company.
Anyhow, I am having some difficulties that suggest their firewall is
blocking some ports that I would like to use.  I have been struggling with
them for about a month with this problem. And they keep telling me they
think they've fixed it, and I need to go try it.  After about 5 rounds of
this, I'm a bit frustrated.  I am not knowledgeable about firewalls really,
but I dont understand why I need to keep "trying it out" after they think
they have fixed it.  Should they not be able to look at the firewall and
either say "Yes, the ports are open" or "No, the ports are not open" ?  Is
there some way that I can look at the ports myself on my own computer to see
which ones are open, so that I can go to them with at least some
preparation?

I hope this wasnt too moronic a question, and that someone will take pity
and help me!

-Vanda