Can't get online

[batchelork]

This is my first attempt to fly online and I am stuck! I am using XP Home SP2 and FS9. I have loaded Servinfo, SBrelay, SBv2.3 and hostsb.dll.SBrelay starts OK. FS9 multiplayer starts OK. I set up a flight on the ramp at a UK airport (Southampton) and start SBhost.dll. I then start SB I search using IP address 127.0.0.1 and press join. Now when I return to FS9 the HostSB window is grey and nothing happens.If I repeat this using SBHost.exe I can click to join the action but SBHost is hidden behind FS9.On a general point to do this I have XP SP2 firewall off, and I have to kill my zonealarm application or everything hangs. I am not very happy to run with no internet protection.I would realy appreciate some help here, and thanks in advance.

[Guest dweese]

Zone Alarm free versions works fine with SB. Pro version 5 does have some problems Zonelabs knows about. The WinXp SP2 firewall works OK for the most part I'v ran leak test on it and leak test said it was blocked.Are you trying this in windows mode or full screen mode? A lot of users can't use full screen mode with FS9 not sure why but I'm one as well.Do you have a router? You may need to open a few ports in it. When you start SB try clicking on the SB.exe file in the squawkbox folder. Don't use the desktop or start menu short cut. See what that does for you. AS well don't enter the 127.0.0.1 in teh sreach box just leave it blank. And try joining the FS multi-player after SB is up and running.

[batchelork]

Dave,Still no joy. I have a straight internet dial-up connection and am running in window mode. It looks like the only way I can get anywhere near being online is to disable ZoneAlarm and Norton. if i use SBhost.exe I can get SB connected (I see the 6 blue line) but when I hit 'return' and send some text nothing happens. I have seen a message from another a/c in the SBhost window and I can see my flight plan sent. If I use SBhost.dll and then start SB nothing happens. Bit lost as to what to do next. Plus I really don't like being on the net with no protection.