So what does a good father do the day after Christmas? You are absolutely right, he fixes the home network so that the PCs can once again communicate flawlessly with each other, share each others files and use the same printer. Sound easy? Well, it's not. For a long time this was not working at all. I have been putting off this boring chore for about six months now, but it has to be done. Either the one computer could see the other, or the other could see only part of the first, or none at all or they just crashed, etc. So I did a big cleanup, removing all the network stuff from the older Windows 98SE computer and reinstalling it. I also reconfigured the Windows XP computer using the good old home network wizard. I was just about ready to give up when I discovered quite by accident that the stupid Windows XP firewall was enabled. Watch out for that bugger! Start » Control Panel » Network Connections » Local Area Connection Properties » Advanced » Internet Connection Firewall. Make sure that this is unchecked unless you really know how to configure this monster. My day is made, I have accomplished much, and as a reward I will put on my running outfit, go downstairs and stretch with the kids, and at last go jogging as fast as I can. Need to work off some of that excess Christmas dessert I munched out on yesterday.