Hi there, Im looking for some help with a problem Im having with my Linksys WRT54G wireless router.
Im running windows xp home.
I dont have a problem connecting my 2pcs, I also dont have a problem with either of them connecting to the internet, everything is working great in that department.

The problem Im having is that as the host pc whenever I download likes of Yahoo and Msn 7.5 Instant messengers I cant get them to connect because of the built in firewall on my router.
Ive been to Linksys.com for support but there is nothing on there that can point me in the right direction.
Im not a computer genius and Im looking for step by step instructions on how to get around this problem.
I also downloaded p2p MP3 Galaxy which I also cant get to connect.

Thanks In Advance.
Yuna

this may help

1. When using a high speed Internet connection, the modem/router MUST be
UPnP compatible and have this option active. For MSN Messenger 6.2.0205, both
sides must have Windows XP. Set Zone Alarm to either medium or high, but set
it to ALLOW the MSN Messenger 6.2.0205 all access to the Internet.

2. On the Network Connections, right click Local Area Connection, go to
Properties, and the General tab should show a check mark only on Client for
Microsoft Network, and Internet Protocol (TCP/IP). No check on File and
Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks, nor on QoS Packet Scheduler.

3. The Windows Firewall should be ON (recommended) and no check in Don't
allow exceptions . The Exceptions tab will later show the MSN Messenger
6.2.0205 and UPnP Framework as being active.

4. In the Control Panel > Add Remove Programs > Add Remove Windows
Components, scroll to Networking Services and remove all checks, except for
Internet Gateway Device Discovery (A), and for UPnP User Interface (B). Click
Ok, Next, and after clicking Next the Windows Wizard Component will run.
Click Finish; now the UPnP will automatically open all required ports.

5. Sign in on Messenger and run Audio/Video Tuning Wizard. In the Tools >
Options > Connection tab, you should read You are connected to the Internet
through a UPnP symmetric NAT. (Administrator); if you are using a dial-up
line it will read You are connected to the Internet using a direct
connection. Now check the Windows Firewall Exceptions list, the MSN Messenger
6.2.0205 and UPnP Framework will now have a check marks and the required
ports automatically opend.

6. Both Windows XP users sides should have similar setups, with working
webcams and microphones. Remember that one side can have dial-up and the
other a UPnP compatible modem/router.

(A) Allow you to find and control internet connection sharing hardware and
software that uses UPnP.

(B) Display icons in My Network Places for the UPnP devices detected on the
network; also opens the required Windows Firewall port.

Finally on MSN Messenger > Option > General tab, check mark under Sig in,
item 1 and 3 ( remove the checks after the restart, if you don't want
Messenger to startup ). Restart. Now the Internet Gateway icon is displayed.

Hi There, thanks for answering so quickly..
I have done everything you have said and I still cannot get msn messenger to connect. I still went into the connection tab as you said whereby it is saying that my gateway appears to be offline.

also just noticed that after turning my windows firewall on, for some reason when I have restarted my comp the windows firewall has been turned off.

hi there, Its ok I managed to get it working... It was a problem with zone alarms... Thanks for your help