WinVNC OK via wireless ... but ...

[StupidScript]

I have a couple of machines on a LAN that have WinVNC Server v3.3.3
installed. Both running Win98SE. Both using static IPs/gateways/DNSs
(no WINS resolution). Both with NetBEUI, IPX and TCP/IP protocols
installed. There is a WEP-enabled wireless access point on the LAN. We
use a Netopia router at the edge of the LAN.

One machine (Box A) works like gangbusters: I can connect to it from
within the LAN, from a wireless device within range of the access
point, and from locations outside of the LAN (i/e/ from home).

The other machine (Box B) is having trouble. I can use a VNC viewer
(UltraVNC, WinVNC) to connect to Box A from Box B, but not the reverse.
I also cannot connect to Box B from outside the LAN.

Oddly, I CAN connect to Box B using a wireless device (PalmVNC) within
range of the access point. Oddly[2], it never asks me for a password
using this method, even though I specified one in the WinVNC server
settings.

Perhaps coincidentally, Box B has some kind of MSIE issue, too, which
keeps it from being able to login to a simple PHP/mySQL calendaring app
we have on our corporate web server. It can get there and so forth, it
just never accepts a login. (The user for Box B uses Firefox to
successfully access the calendar app as a workaround.)

Thoughts? I appreciate any responses.

 

[StupidScript]

Adding to it:

I can start a Viewer in "listen" mode on Box A and then start a new
client on Box B pointing to that IP with no problem ... Box A has VNC
access to Box B when this is done. There are no entries in the log file
for this transaction. In fact, the only entries in the log file come
from shutting down the server or from wireless connection
attempts/successes.

It's like there's no traffic hitting WinVNC except for the wireless
traffic, despite hooking up successfully to the listening client on Box
A. I have adjusted the registry settings for Debug mode and maximum log
output.

Box B has Black ICE (firewall) running on it, however all of our LAN
IPs are trusted, including Box A's and the wireless access point's IP.
There are no indications in Black ICE's log file that there are any
problems connecting from Box A, and I can surely navigate through the
network and have access to Box B from within Windows Explorer or V.

Does anyone have any other suggestions for remote operation of a
Win98SE box?

 

[StupidScript]

Imagine my surprise!

Using the built-in VNC web server and its accompanying Java applet, I
have no trouble accessing Box B. I just launched a web browser, typed
in http://IPA.DDR.ESS.XXX:5800/ and away we go! I'll take what I can
get ...

I'm still curious about why the app won't respond directly, but it's
functional using the alternate method, so that's all I wrote.