FileForums - Battle for middle earth LAN problems

Ok heres the thing, first my setup:

I have 2 computers, perfectly set up to run the game individually however i do only have one version of the game so one computer has a Serial number borrowed of the internet :p

I also have the Internet connected directly (through USB) to one computer which is the host of my network running XP Professional (the other computers use XP home) these computers connect to my host through a 5 port network switch, file sharing, internet sharing as well as most of my other games work fine on this set up, minus some problems with C&C games.

I also obviously have TCP/IP set up on both computers as well as IPX, IP Addresses are different on all pcs, I also DO NOT have Windows service pack 2 installed and no other firewall software installed.

Now for the problem (hope thats enough info!)

When i set up a LAN game I can only see the person, game or messages of the host pc from the other computer and when i try to connect to this game the connection times out, but the host pc can see nothing :S I also had the same problem on RA2 and Generals, but i was able to get around this using a direct connect function or somethign else that was in these games.

Any help would be appreciated, i just hope this doesn't confuse you as much as it has me.

cheers :D