Vulcan,Lots of good information there, first thing is the SB version, I'm still showing 2.3.0.5 even though I uninstalled and reinstalled using FS2000.Second thing, I tried to run FS2004 and SB on the same desktop PC and actually got the same error, something like, "failed to emulate player" so it looks like I have a problem connecting even without using the second PCI tried connecting to SB and FS2002 on my desktop and connected, but when I tried using the WideFS with SB on the laptop, again same error, "removed player from session...." So I'm narrowing down the problem, the first being why can't I connect SB and FS2004 on the same desktop, then SB version problem. Do you know where I can get the 2.3.0.4 version your talking about? As far as opening the ports, I'm using a D-link router and went through all the options. I saw nothing that let me open ports so I'm assuming that's not a problem. When I have the PC Cillin firewall running I can open individual ports but I disable the software firewall when running FS and SB.I'll keep tring.Jim

We must stop meeting like this Jim :-lolOK, to run SB with FS9 (FS2004) you must run through SBRelay otherwise it won't work. SB cannot 'talk' to FS9 so SBRelay creates a 'dummy' FS2000 (or 2002) session for SB to 'talk' to and then 'translates' the SB data into a form FS9 can understand.Try putting SBRelay on the desktop and see if you can connect SB to FS9 via SBRelay, this is the standard setup for running FS9 and SB.If that works then the problem is either at the laptop or the laptop/desktop communication.Although I can offer no help with the router I still feel sure it is a port problem and think Andy King at Hawarden may be able to help.One more thing. When I moved from a working 2 PC setup with Win98SE to WinXP I had problems with SB crashing. It took me ages to find out that there are two programs needed to run through my firewall for FS.They are Microsoft DirectPlay Helper and Microsoft DirectPlay server.Files areC:windowssystem32dplaysvr.exeC:windowssystem32dpnysvr.exeIt would be worthwhile seeing if those are running on the desktop when just using that computer and check they are running on the laptop when using it to connect to the 'Net and the desktop connecting just to the laptop.I use Zone Alarm firewall and as soon as a program whats to connect to the Net a window pops up asking if I want it to connect.Using my 2 PC setup for some reason neither of the above 2 programs popped up. The only way I found out was by running SB and FS on one PC with direct Net connection and then the programs popped up asking for permission to connect.By telling ZA to allow these two programs to connect to the Net I could then go back to using the 2 PC setup.Once you do get it running Jim, ditch RW and install the new vocie client 'AVC' from the main Vatsim web site.Yet again, good luck. If you prefer to email me click on my email icon.