I am failing to play XP games e.g Internet Checkers. Unable to connect to games server. I had a problem which prompted a new installation of XP and since then am not able to connect.

I had my settings back to what they were before the re-installation (IP address included)

Is there something I did not do or did wrongly?

I am failing to play XP games e.g Internet Checkers. Unable to connect to games server. I had a problem which prompted a new installation of XP and since then am not able to connect.

I had my settings back to what they were before the re-installation (IP address included)

Is there something I did not do or did wrongly?

So you can surf the net, but can't play online games? Can you post pic of this error here? Maybe you're missing a plug-in..

Possibility that the program is blocked by the Windows firewall?

That is the problem. I have my firewall disabled, but it suggests that that may be the problem. I've even attempted to have it as an exception.

Nothing has changed as far as my server is concerned, except the local machine re-installation.

As of plug-in, I may agree since Java applets are failing to initiate. What do I do. Have unstalled Java and re-installed to no avail.