win2k pro and connecting to another computer

Hello
I'm having a problem connecting to my friends computer via tcp/ip. We play madden 2004 on line, I havent had this problem untill I installed windows 2000 pro. I can play other games over the net using gamespy or the game locating engines packaged with the games. I tried pinging his computer, using the ping command in the dos block but it did not see his computer. If i remember correctly I had to turn off a firewall in xp to play this game with him but I don't know what to do in win2k.
hope you can help.

have you installed the software to play madden? on line say for instance msn gaming zone use you  need the software to play games?

yes i have my own original copy of the game and installed it on my computer

sorry to mislead you but i meant the software for the site you use to play this game ?so you can join this game...like this >http://www.gamezone.com/ongaming/p21821.htm

I think that it is me that mis lead you. The game I'm having a problem with, I directly connect to my friends computer, he gives me his ip address and thats how I connect, this is where the problem lies. I used windows xp before and had no trouble connecting to his computer but now I had upgraded to windows 2000 pro I can,t ping his computer to join the game. I do use gamespy and other programs to play other games and have no problem in doing so it is just when I try to connect to my friends computer through his ip address.
thanks for your help and your time.

have you tried synchronize....is it a good mate..?or its this via remote access...like radmin....as your mates firewall allowing you to access his pc?<dodgy english>

yes he is a good friend that lives 1 mile from me. I don't think its his machine because we had no trouble before I upgraded to windows 2000

you may find more info here on this subject and good luck with it>http://www.blackviper.com/WIN2K/servicecfg.htm

not sure if I understand all this stuff on black vipers page but I will look it over. thank you for all your help

when you ping your mate pc what packets are returned ?can you commuicate with netmeeting<talk to each other>either voice or text>i am trying to get to why your pc/mates or not talking to each other..without that no gaming etc can be achieved....also what happens if your mate pings your pc ....we await response..