Microsoft Freelancer Multiplayer LAN Server List Problem

I'm trying to host the Freelancer Game locally via LAN network on a computer,
but when I run Freelancer with 1.1 update and choose Multiplayer and LAN or
Internet no servers show up in the Server List at all.

I've followed the documentation, tried to add the server to list manually
using Freelancer.exe -s<IP>:<Port>
And even used the Direct Connect tool in the Freelancer folder to try and
add the server to the server list that was but it doesn't work, the server
list remains totally empty.

I've tried everything from disabling firewall and enabling router to forward
to all ports on computer and I'm stumped now.

All the neccessary ports are open and listening and available, I've pinged
the computer and it responds just fine.

Is there another way to get the server IP listed in the multiplayer LAN
server list?

Microsoft nuked the matching server early last year. So to add a sever you
need to manually add it via the command line. a nuisance to say the least.

Yeah I've tried that too, including the DirectConnectIP and updating with
Unofficial Patch 1.4, all I'm wanting to do is host game locally at home via
LAN. I've even tried the alternative user Mods on ModDB for alternative
Global List Server, nothing works the LAN list and Global Server List remains
blank, not a single IP listed in either list, not even my own.

I know about the global server being down, not being able to host the game
at home is the issue.

I thought it might be a compatibility issue with Windows Vista Premium SP1,
but the game works fine single player and is in the supported Vista
compatibility list of games Vista supports.

Is your game server on your LAN or elsewhere on the Internet? If you have an
old PC, you can run a server on it and then play together.

Game server is on LAN same as clients.

Yeah, guess I'll have to try putting Windows XP on computer next since I've
tried pretty much everything else, even run as administrator and use XP
compatibility settings didn't fix it.

flserver exec flexec then the freelancer mod manager right click on these
icons and go into compatibilty from propities and put a check in the run as
admin box. second if you have norton anti virus or macafee you wont see the
servers on the list server. you have to use bit deffender or antivir both of
these are free.

[shewfly]

hi i was wondering if anyone can tell me why when my friend tries to log on to my freelancer server why he cant see my account. we tried to do the add your owm server IP address in the EXE folder but it still wont come up. if anyone could help it would be appreciated.
thanx