Can't connect to own server

[dad2samcadyalex]

I have a working server that I can connect to from the same PC. Im trying to play from my laptop in a different room. i have forwarded port 5998 to that IP. I have edited my eqhost file on laptop to have host ip of my server. I can get as far as the server select screen, then it just goes black and returns to login screen. I also have added all needed programs to the windows firewall exceptions.the dbg reads as follows:

2010-04-24 02:49:58 Networking: using port [61575].
2010-04-24 02:49:58 Networking: Connection Established [1]
2010-04-24 02:50:58 *** WorldAuthenticate. Error connecting to localhost:9000 [clientisconnectReasonConnectFail,serverisconne ctReasonNone]
2010-04-24 02:50:58
2010-04-24 02:50:58 Networking: Connection Closed [0] with 0 pending bytes.
2010-04-24 02:50:58 *** ERROR: WorldAuthenticate has failed after attempting to connect.

thank you for the help