my laptop cant read php files, does anybody know where i can download something to solve this problem - Im new with php

A .php extension???

or whatever is needed to read the files, im new with php

Notepad, they are only text files.

I cant. ill explain myself better, ive downloaded some forum software form phpbb and some of the files on there just show a blank page, - when i go to open them it says
"windows cannot open this file" and it wont allow me to open with notepad

i think im making a fool of myself with my great lack of php knowledge

Right, so you not trying to "open" them, but run them!

PHP has to be run from a webserver that can parse the files and execute the code, You need to install a webserver with PHP on your laptop and run the forum from there.
Plus of course the database server as well.

ok i think im gonna read a cupple of php tutorials before i jump in the deep end. thanks for you help chris

I suggest a book on PHP, they tend to give you better quality information.

Also, google XAMPP it helped me with PHP when i was new to it.

thanks