here give this ago, dont really know ur connection setup but this might help fix ur prob 1. First you must limit the range of port that mirc use in the Dcc, Option menu. In DCC ports , set both at 1024. 2. After, go into control panel & network connections 2. Right click on your connection and select 'properties' 3. Left click the advanced tab 4. Left click the settings button 5. Under services, left click the add button 6. For description type "DCC", for Name of IP put the name that identifies your system with your ISP OR your IP if it is static. 7. Both external and internal ports are 1024 by default and TCP. 8. Click OK and restart If that doesnt fix ur prob, I suggest maybe installing a prog like Trillian...which is very user friendly for XP