ME & XP Network. Uni directional Pinging Problems!

Hi all,

I've recently tried to set up a home network connecting Windows ME desktop to an XP laptop. Both are connected to the switching hub and from there to the modem/router.

When I first got the hub I didn't make any system changes but connected it all up and both PCs were able to use the internet connection at the same time. However I now want to share files and the printer through a print server (again connected direcetly to the hub) so yesterday started to try to configure it all up.

Both the XP and ME machines are now using TCP/IP as the protocol with fixed IP addresses (XP:192.168.1.4 ME:192.168.1.5). The subnet mask for both is set at 255.255.255.0 and the default gateway is 192.168.1.1.

WINS is disabled and DNS is enabled.

Using the Ping command I can 'ping' from the XP machine back on itself (to 127.0.0.1), to the router (192.168.1.1) and to the ME machine (192.168.1.5) fine.

However from the ME machine I can only Ping back on itself and to the router. When I try to ping to the XP machine (192.168.1.4) it 'request timed out' everytime.

I know XP has a built in firewall but after disabling it the problem persists.

Does anyone have any ideas on what the problem, and more importantly, the solution might be?

To compound matters the XP machine is running a Japanese OS so if there are changes I need to make to it's settings I would appreciate if they are written in A clear, step-by-step, easy to navigate way to aid my far from perfect Japanese reading skills!

Thanks.

 

Thanks Tony. Literally seconds before your reply I finished applying the advice found here http://www.wown.com/articles_tutorials/noping.html and all is now fine. The Security software stopping me was called PC Gate. Anyway all is fine now. Just have to get that print server setup now....

 

I would have bet my paycheck on a firewall issue on the XP box blocking ping requests. Since you said the firewall was disabled I was a little stumped. 3rd party firewall didn't cross my mind.

Mental note to self. "Dont forget about 3rd party firewalls"