XP/Vista network issue

[rowey]

Im trying to set up both my machines ! xp sp3 pc, 2 vista notebook sp2.
I have them set up atm so i can share files back and forth and can ping both machines, but when it comes to playing a simple game like age of empires they will not connect to play even though i can see the host machines created game. any help would be appreciated as ive scrolled through past similar threads here to no avail.

 

[Mark56]

Has the game been added to the exceptions list in your firewall.

 

[rowey]

yes it has.