lol sorry bout all these posts. i just seem to have 101 problems at the mo

now im connected to the internet as part of a network, when i host a server for an online game the people who try and connect to it cant seem to find the server.
For example, if i host a server on Counter Strike: Source. i tell me friends the ip address and the port, they type it in and nothing comes up. And for all of those who have knowledge of counter strike, i add my own server to the favourites and it comes up saying thats there people playing.
I guess is something to do with a firewall setting.

There are 2 computers on this network (host and client, i am the client). The host is directly connected to the internet and the client connects to the internet/host via a crossover cable

Got firewall? Does your ISP make you connect trough an router?

EDIT: I guess I read it too fast... Look in the game manual or FAQ or something, they usually have the ports that need to be open for hosting games.

i have open the ports on the client but not on the host. would that fix the problem or is it one step towards fixing it?

You'll probably need to forward the ports on the host to the client.

Or get a router.

Are you telling your friends the correct IP address?

To find your IP address, go to Control Panel > Network Connections > Double click your connection > Support tab > Then your IP Address should be shown.

If you used a website that tells you your IP address, they can sometimes be wrong.

im telling them the right one cos i added the my server to the favourites list and its come up

would forward the ports to the client mean open the ports on the host?

Does your friends connect from outside your network or are they inside your network?

i have opened the neccessary prots for the game on the host but still no luck.

my friends connect outside the network (through the internet)

You have to forward requests on the appropriate ports from the client machine to the host machine. I don't know what software you are using on the host to share the internet connection, but forwarding ports is usually tricky in this situation.

i havnt used any special software to help setup my network. all i have done is to allow internet connection sharing on the host

is there anywhere that can talk me through on how to forward the ports or shud i google?

[Edit] I googled and it seems that you can only forward ports if you are using a router. im not using a router and i probably dont plan on getting one unfourtunateley. Can you only forward ports on a router or can it be done on a crossover cable

In the server enable that port for the network, if you're running WIndows XP PRO with SP2 and have the integrated firewall enabled: Control Panel -> Windows Firewall -> Advanced Options -> (select your network conection, normally LOCAL AREA NETWORK) -> Configuration -> Add the Program and its port. In the "Name or IP direction..." in the server write name/IP of that computer, in the client put the name/IP of the server in your network. Should work. (Sorry if some places are wrong written, im using WXP in spanish).

i tried it but is doesnt work. im not sure if i did it right. does anyone one have a proper translantion for what Yotta was trying to do?

[Edit] Jus realised, the windows firewall is turned off on both the host and the client.

Check if a third party firewall exists... How is the host connected to internet...is there a router for host? if so forward the ports in the router (enable DMZ...easy )

sorted the problem ^^. lol i realised my friends could connect through the same ip as before (one using without the network) the only problem is that they didnt bother checking

thanx for your help tho