Windows VISTA Firewall not starting

Your user account could be corrupt. Try creating a new "test" user account.
Also, you could have Malware.
This does not sound like a virus or malware but it will never hurt to scan before we make any other changes....otherwise we might be mislead into believing that the changes were inefective.

Scan for malware:

Go into Safe Mode.
Then go to this website and download these programs:
MalwareBytes Anti Malware.... http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php 
and/or SuperAntiSpyware http://www.superantispyware.com/ 
Make sure you update to the latest versions.

Once downloaded (you may need to rename MalwareBytes, Combofix or other tools before saving their files to the desktop as Malware can recognize the name and block them unless renamed)

While still in Safe Mode, Go to Start-Run and type:

Msconfig

Once in the application, go to the services tab and "hide all Microsoft services" select the remaining and disable". Then go to the Startup Tab and disable all entries
 
Reboot.

After the system boots it will give you a warning regarding the changes made by msconfig. Select do not warn me again.

Now you can run the anti Malware applications recommended above.
 
If the problem persists...go to http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/combofix/how-to-use-combofix  and follow the instructions.  
 

Forgot to mention..... whatever you do.....before trying to fix your system....always do a backup of your data.....!!

I did find this doing a google search.... it might work for you (I really am not sure)....
" ......  The problem was a corrupted file called "secdrv.sys". To fix this, I first had to get the file "secdrv.sys" off of my operating system CD. To do this, you would have to create a partition, and "mount" a file on the CD, onto the newly created partition. The file you need to mount is located and is called: "*:\sources\install.wim". The .wim extension stands for a "Windows Image File" and to see what files it contains, you will need to download something called "Windows Automated Installation Kit". The explicit instructions on the mounting procedure, and where to get this program, is here: "http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/86959-access-vista-install-dvd-files.html". Once you have the file mounted, just search the mounted area for "secdrv.sys", then copy and paste it into "C:\Windows\System32\drivers" or where ever your system drivers are located. After this, reboot and the BFE service and all of its dependencies should work fine. ........."
This is the link: http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/vistaperformance/thread/8d3ab846-d5a9-4df1-bb1e-a6f4842abc63
 

Well ..... I was the only one who answered his question and one of the suggestions was a Vista upgrade/repair install which without a doubt will fix the firewall problem.
I only wish he would have replied to know if the one of the less drastic solutions helped him.