Ok - done up to "show UPnP" - but cant find the link... Any clues??

Look at this link
http://www.techtut.com/showimage.php?image=42/6.jpg

The image shows you what you're suppose to see under XP (My Network Places)

Show icons for network UPnP devices Do you see this link? If not then something is not enabled. SSD under services needs to be enabled and set to Auto. Make sure you start it also along with UPnP. Once that is done along with the prior post settings. Then you should see the link. Once this link is found and engaged then the installation process will begin. Soon after that your system should show you that it found the Router so and so!

Nope i dont have that link: under betwork taks i only have "create a new connection", "set-up a home or small office network", and "change windows firewall settings",,,,,

Somebody mentioned that i cant have installed SP2 - but im 99% sure i did... Anyway i can easily tell??

Thanks tipstir & jobeard for your patience and advice - really appreciated....

ahhaa - just right clicked my compter and it says

Microsoft Windows XP
Home Edirion
2002 version
Service pack 3

does SSD = SSDP discovery service?? If so then ive popped it on Auto

does UPnP = universal plug and play device host?? If so ive popped it on Auto

But that link still isnt there....

Plug & Play <(is not)> UPnP; Plug & Play is necessary while UPnP can be an exposure.

SSDP is not required, but some like it as well as the Bonjour Service (I don't)

To get access to resources on other systems, you need

• Simple File Sharing
• your firewall to enable ports 138,138,445 (Which FW are you using)

On the XP/HOME, setting (a) has some hoops to jump thru
here's a good reference for you

Home XP is limited in networking features than Pro XP. SSDP won't harm the system UPnP has been talked about all over. I never seen a real issue using it security or not. I just said to link the Router directly to the System. This feature is now standard in Vista and 7 part of the Network Discovery.

Ahaa... Found it....

D'oh.. Sorry i was looking at "network connections", not network places...

It currently says - "hide icons for networked UPnP devices", so i presume that means its showing them and not have to do anything??

I cant find SSD and UPnP under services ??

But ive only got this 1 system...

Whats FW ??

Check out this link:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/323713

SSDP Discovery Service
UPnP
Network Connections
Computer Browsing or Computer Browser

All of the above would need to be started, enabled and set to auto

Many systems run quiet nicely without SSDP or UPnP, so clearly these are not necessary -- even in Win/7 which uses these ONLY to create pretty network pictures.

Enough; I'll retire to my own corner of the world by unsubscribing which may please many.

You don't need it in 7 it's already has Network Discovery feature but coded differently. I would only recommend XP users to trigger this dormant feature only if they have wireless or network issues. This way the system and the router are always connected. If the system doesn't see the router then you know there is an issue. Just a good feature to run. Not going to hurt the system. But one feature you get is that you can click on the router link and the router Web Admin would open up in your browser. I've been doing it this way for years on XP really never had a issue.

To each their own I say!