I have no idea about group policy - sorry
I did find these links, maybe they will be some help?
Group Policy - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
http://forums.techarena.in/windows-x...rt/1082948.htm
http://www.theeldergeek.com/group_po...ws_xp_prof.htm
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/l.../bb457149.aspx

Or you could use Google to search & you might find more info.

Are you sure that you did the static IP setup correctly? It's just that when I first did it (with XP) I got it wrong & didn't realise until I went back through the steps & double checked everything.

Like I said, I don't understand the group policy thing - so I can't understand why you can't change firewall settings if you have an admin account. Maybe someone else here will know?

Did you try changing LW's listening port?