Hello, I'm using a router to share a cable internet connection among four computers. However, the firewall is really starting to annoy me, and I'm not able to connect to other computers to talk, receive file transfers, etc. Does anyone know how to get around the router? Or can anyone point me to a good website with instructions? Thanks!

If you are going to connect more than one PC you need one of three things: a router, multiple IP addresses from your ISP ($$) or Internet Connection Sharing plus a hub or switch. Since you already have a router it would be cheaper and easier to fix your network problems. To do what you want with multiple IPs or ICS you would still have to fix your network problems.

Are you using DHCP, Static? Can you see them in network neighborhood (or any other kind of network browser)? Need more info.

us a dial-up account....

Oops, clarification: I am able to connect to/see the computers on my network. However, I am unable to connect to computers outside of my network (say, to receive file transfers on IRC or AIM, etc.) because such connections seem to be blocked by the router's firewall. My question is, is there any way to get around the firewall, or even completely disable the firewall? (I believe I'm using static IP) Thanks! Jon

Yeah, you can get around it. Most routers have a utility that is viewable through a web browser (usually just type in the routers internal ip address to access it in a webpage format). Just go into it and open up the ports that you are trying to use for your instant messengers. You may have to email support for each one that you use to get the specific port (there are other ways but that is the easiest for most people) and just open them up within the settings of hte router. Some routers are setup to where you have to specify one computer as the DMZ Host along with open the ports to be able to do this. Linksys is a brand that does this. SMC brands you just open the ports and you are done.

You just need to config the router to open the ports you need, ie; ftp ports 20 and 21 to send/recive files, etc.