Multiplayer crash when network cable is plugged in? PLZ HELP

[Simo]

I have a new laptop:

P4 2.8
1 gig ram
win xp pro

I have a relatively new and similar desktop:

P4 2.6
1 gig ram
win xp home

They are networked via a router and operate well together doing normal file exchanging etc.

However trying to set up PTW for a LAN game i have a big problem

If the laptop has the network cable plugged in, after selecting multiplayer, then when asked for a multiplayer nickname the program will sit for about 10 or so sec's before returning me to the windows desktop with a blue screen for the background.

I tried unhooking the cable and it works no problem so i tried to plug the cable in after passing that screen however the same thing happend very shortly after plugging it back in.

The desktop computer works totally fine and is unaffected.

After realising the laptop wasnt patched, i patched it to 1.27f, the same as the other computer but still the same problem although i get a windows message saying civilization 3xd has caused a problem and must be shut down, send report or not.

Any help would be greatly appreciated as i cant play after finally having the ability for a LAN game.

Please help,
Simo

 

[Simo]

For anyone else who has this problem this is the cause:

It appears to be my D-Link 704P Router creating the issue.

After a quick response from Atari, they suggested a selective startup to remove any firewall issues.

When that failed, i bypassed the router and connected the 2 computers directly. It works 100% with no problems.

The only issue is i cannot play with anymore than 2 players as the router enabled up to 4 connections.