WinME 'firewall' and WinMX

[shybearuk]

LOOONG question. Use the TAB key to jump to the answer/submit sections.
I've been trying to sort out a problem I'm having with my home network for some time, and am having trouble finding out what it is I need to do.
I have a cable connection to the net, which runs via a cable modem to a network card in a WinME machine acting as a gateway. From the ME machine, the secondary network card connects to a hub, then splits to a WinXP Home machine (mine) and a WinXP Pro machine. Network on the whole is fine. File transfers between machines are fine, all can connect to the Internet, Messenger 6 means I can transfer files to other machines outside my network (although I couldn't with any other version, which I think had something to do with the problem I'm about to describe).
Anyway, I'm running WinMX on the XP Home machine, and I can't get a Primary connection. Apparently this is something to do with the ICS, in its capacity as firewall, on the ME machine. Same problem on the XP Pro machine. Both are saying that they cannot send/receive UDP packets, or receive TCP packets.

[shybearuk]

Part 2, as it exceeded 2000 characters(br>So what I want to know is:
A) Is there a way for me to change the settings on the XP machines to allow this to work, and if so what should I change them to, and where are they located?
B) Is there a way I can make the ME machine allow the packets through, and if so, how and where do I change the settings, and to what?
or C) Is there any other way round it?
I don't need an 'idiot's guide'. I know my way around stand alone machines with no worries, but this is the first time I've had any issues since setting up this, my first network (which I was pretty proud of, having been terrified of the idea, hehe)
I do know other people that have the same problem on home networks, but surely there must be a way round it? If not, then am I going to have to dump the ME machine, make the XP Home machine the gateway and just use that one for WinMX? Not something I'd be happy about, but if it comes to it, I'd be willing to.
Any help on this would be greatly appreciated. I've been trying to find out for the last six months, and this is my final hope.

[j2buttonsw]

ICS, as far as I know, does not include any Firewall functionality. However, it is certainly the least configurable and, as such, least desirable internet sharing software (as it is free). I was lead to believe that ICS allowed all packets from all sources to and from the host machine which makes it quite open. However, because it is such a thinned down NAT service you may get problems with applications such as WinMX. I assume you have looked on the WinMX forums under "running WinMX on ICS" or some such; What about running WinMX on the host machine (ie the ME machine)? You have plenty of alternatives: 1) Use a proper Proxyserver application (Wingate, Winproxy etc). 2) Upgrade to Windows 2000 server and use NAT 3) Upgrade to Windows 2000 and use ISA (!) 4) Bin the ME machine and use a router. I would go for the last option since you can get a router/hub to link to the net, you can easily configure the router and you need not have the ME machine on all the time to "see" the internet (as well as the rest of your network).

[sft42]

Give these pages a try...the first is VERY good and has loads of link and tips to help out.
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/j.buchanan/
http://vladd44.no-ip.com/winmx2.html

[FallingStar]

If you are like I am and are lacking in the "technical skills" department, but at the same time, miss using WinMX at http://www.vladd44.com/mx/ , there is a quick, easy and free solution it is called MXPIE at http://www.MXPie.com . There is no spyware or anything else bundled with it. For those a little more savvy and courageous, there is even a manual option.

So come on back to WinMX, and download to your hearts content. Thanks to these updates, not even the power of the RIAA can stop a network.

IF you have downloaded WinMX and still cannot connect, you can even get personalized realtime help. Just go to this link WinMX Channels at http://www.vladd44.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=6514 . Copy the Room name appropriate for your Language and paste it into your WinMX chat screen, then press the Join Button. This works on version 3.53 and up even if you are not connected. It allows you to join into chatrooms set up for you to get immediate help.

Everything you need at the MXPIE Website at http://www.MXPie.com . Free and Spyware free.

I have also found a site for solving Computer Problems at http://www.gemini777.net />that is nice, prompt and VERY helpful. If there is a problem you need an answer to, they can help.

Realtime help available for WinMX 3.53 users having trouble getting connected. Go to WinMx Channels at http://www.vladd44.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=6514 .