Vista - unable to game online but can surf the net

ive just bought myself a new laptop a asus x53sr with a ati radeon 2400
graphics card
and running on vista with a dual processor.
Ive downloaded Rfactor and all the patches and ive also got Nascar heat but
i can not
get online to play with either of these games in rfactor ive managed to get
in 1 server
but just as i go to race it stops and says waiting for server.in nascar heat
i type the ip in for
the servers which i know are up but laptop will just not find the servers.
i dont think it can be a internet problem as i can get online with my
oldlaptop which is running windows xp
to play online with same connection.i have tried wireless and just from my
modem but no joy.
Could it have something to do with my security settings on my new laptop
running vista i have no
firewall running and have no anti virus programs on????

Thanks for any help Mark

Mark Green wrote:
You have no firewall or antivirus? Are you sure? It seems extremely unlikely
that you would be so stupid.

Look again. Most new laptops come with a lot of OEM preinstalled stuff,
including trial versions of security software. This is what it sounds like
is causing your problem. Look in Control Panel>Programs & Features for
McAfee, Norton, CA, Trend, or Panda - none of which are recommended. If
found, uninstall them and install NOD32, or Kaspersky, or even Avast if you
want a free one. The built-in Windows Firewall is adequate for most people.

Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
Don't Panic!

Even if the laptop does not come with a load of Shovel Ware windows vista has a firewall. This should be disabled and a better one installed (one that actually works over 50 percent of the time) see previous thread.
Check settings of any firewall, use only one on your PC. The firewall should let you choose the software allowed to make a connection through the firewall.
Do not forget your router, you may have to set the router connection to your PC as a 'demilitarized zone' otherwise the routers firewall may not let your PC receive incoming traffic and that will stop an online game from running.