i hate xp

[MrNasty567]

how do i get past the xp firewall for gaming? im trying to connect to my friends via IP address but the xp firewall keeps stopping me, i hate xp beyond all reason, its worthless, i just need to be able to tell my friend(who is really stupid) how to do this, so keep it simple enough (im glad i run 98 and only 98)

[not important]

To turn the firewall off. Open IE-Tools-Internet Options-Connections-Settings-Properties-Advanced-Untick the box that says "Internet Connection Firewall"

[Ichabod]

I think you actually go to Start/Settings/Control Panel/Network Connections. Right click on your connection then click on Advanced tab. You can customize from there to allow or disallow.

Ichabod

[reboot]

I gotta throw in my $0.02
XP is a nice OS. More stable, and faster than most (with the right hardware).
The biggest reason I have found for anyone to say "I hate XP", is because they're so used to 98, that they can't get their brain around how different XP really is (underneath all the eye candy).
Stop treating it like 98, stop trying to do things the hard way (like most stuff in 98), and you'll probably come to like it even more.

[Confused]

Amen Jim, Amen.
Chas

[MrNasty567]

is there a way to just get past for gaming without shutting it off altogether?

[Miz]

Yes, you can open ports on XP's firewall...just like any other firewall...in the same place Ichabod pointed you to...Start/Settings/Control Panel/Network Connections>Right click, go to Properties (or choose "Change the settings of this connection from the list on the left, if you have that enabled). Click on the Advanced tab, enable the firewall (if it isn't already) and the Settings button on the lower right will then be available.

You will probably be able to get the ports/IP address or name of the game server from the games' web site or discussion group.

[MrNasty567]

sweet, thats all i need thanks everybody

[reboot]

And here you were all mad because you couldn't get the game working. Now you know just how easy it really was, if you know where to look. No digging through registry entries, no fussing with devices...there's ALWAYS a properties screen for changing everything, in anything, somewhere, in XP.