Greetings Fred,
Actually just "opening the ports" will not allow it to work, and in fact as you indicated,
even doing so would only let one PC use video capability.
To solve this problem (and many others), Messenger makes use of Universal Plug and Play
(UPnP) technology which allows it to automatically open and forward the necessary ports for
audio/video conversations in Messenger (and depending what version you're referring to, file
transfer as well). Also with UPnP, since the ports will all open/forward automatically,
multiple PCs in a home network can use video capability at the same time, with absolutely no
configuration necessary.
In order to make use of UPnP, your router must support it. Thankfully the 3.60 version of
firmware for your router does. You can it here:
ftp://ftp.europe.zyxel.com/p304/firmware/p304_V3.60(CO.2)C0_Standard.zip
If you are unsure how to install the firmware, you can find the manual for your router here,
which should explain it:
ftp://ftp.europe.zyxel.com/p304/document/p304_v3.50_UsersGuide.pdf
Please note that after installing the latest firmware, you should restart Windows in order
for UPnP to take effect in Messenger.
____________________________________________
Jonathan Kay
Microsoft MVP - Windows Messenger/MSN Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources -
http://messenger.jonathankay.com