JK2 MP Cannot Join Server

[gronk]

G'Day All, hope someone can help.
I occasionally play JK2 MP on a 10/100 LAN of 3 PCs (Win XP and Win 2000) all with original disks. For some reason when I click on Join after having selected the server the game freezes and the sound loops continuously on about a half-second loop. This has only started occurring about a week ago after about a year of trouble-free use.
I've un/reinstalled the game on the server and client machines, tried using different machines as the server, applied 1.04 patch to all machines, uninstalled any Microsloth Windows Update patches applied since I last used the game, I've even done a full format of the HDD and rebuild on one PC.
Now I'm really getting a bit fed up. Anyone out there, PLEASE HELP!?
Thanks.

[stoob]

this has only happened to me (only a 2 pc network but, y'know, close enuf for jazz) when i updated or re-installed the fire-wall, as it is prompting in the background (unseen) for access

any help?

[gronk]

Hmmm - I'm in but still puzzled...
Firewall made no difference (the LAN connection between the PCs was not firewalled, only the 56K dialup to the internet on the server PC had the WinXP built-in firewall enabled.) But with your hint in mind that it was waiting for a password in the background I tried to see if any windows were open behind the game screen - hitting ALT-TAB did nothing, but hitting the windows Start button to bring up the taskbar then clicking back on the game screen caused it to hesitate momentarily then connect to the server!
I have no idea what is causing this behavior but, whatever, it's a workaround.
So, thanks very much for your help, I really appreciate it. And my son is ecstatic! Now he can whip my ass again in Massassi Temple...