Well hmm  are you runnin win 98? because XP seems to have a fit unless the XP comp is hosting. and a hub really seems to help alot when networking. 
   Do other aplications work ok over your network?    
   I my self have had my comp networked with 4 other comps for a good A/H game lots a fun. 
      Well I hope this helps you let me know how it turs out.