I know your trying to find a simple 2-3 step fix, and in a perfect world it he casuewould just work.


1st try removing your router, this will show if the router has a problem.

connect your modem directly up to the computer, see if you get the brick.
if you do get a brick its not your router. if you dont get a brick then you will have to learn how to configure your router. quickest way is set the router in DMZ demiliterised zone, this bypasses the routers defences leaving the spcific computer open, if you still do not get a brick, then you will need to learn how to open up a port.

next if your router is not the cause and your using windows xp turn off any firewalls, and test for the brick. if its no brick you have a firewall issue.


use the KISS Keep It Simple Stupid, go for the simple then add to it untill you find the cause.

its eather
1 isp
2 router
3 computer
4 combination of the above

try this then report back on how things did..

I know this is not what you wanted, but this is how one checks why things dont work remove things that are in the way, test if it fixed the problem, when it works again, find out why

ps. routers have internal firewalls thats why you have to open up ports, if you dont want a firewall in your router, do not get a router, get a 4 or 8 port switch instead