MN 500 as a switch-won't config

[RBC]

Hello all: I'm having problems using a Microsoft MN500 as a switch for a simple file-sharing network of 3 PIII desktops, each running XP Pro. There is no broadband connection available.
To simplify initial setup, I put 2 computers together and wired each directly to the MN500.
IPConfig on Comp "A" showed:
IP = 192.168.2.17 Gateway, DHCP,DNS = 192.168.2.1
Subnet mask 255.255.255.0

Comp "B" showed IP = 192.168.2.9, Gateway, etc same as A.

"B" can successfully ping itself (2.9), 2.1(the switch?) and A.

"A" can ping itself (2.17) and 2.1, but gives "request timed out"
error when trying to ping B
The setup wizard on the MN500 won't complete without a broadband connection.
Anyone know of a way around this, or should this function as a hub without being configured?

Tks, RBC

[M/Q]

It should act as switch without any configuration of the router. Perchance did you try a different port? Also do you have any firewalls enabled on the pc? Third party or the XP firewall? Also is NetBIOS over TCP enabled on both pc's?

[RBC]

Tks for your quick reply mkpn3rd. Tried different ports on MN500.
No luck.
ICF is disabled on both machines.
ZoneAlarm is on both machine. Neither would ping until I shut down ZA and used SCU to stop TrueVector.
Just enabled NetBios over TCP on both and ran network setup again. Same result: B pings A OK, A pings B timed out.

One minor point: on "A", Network Connections shows: Dialup Connection, Internet Gateway>broadband connection on> Microsoft Wireless Base Station enabling. LAN enabled.

On "B", Network Connections shows only LAN enabled.

rbc

[RBC]

Got it working...it was a Zone Alarm problem after all.Even after shutting down the program, removing it from start menu, removing it's components from services menu, and rebooting,it still blocks access from LAN.Must have a registry entry.