It looks like you have a router.
If your router does not lock the ports necessary for AoE, only allows you no public IP, you are lucky. If it does lock the ports, the trouble begins. There ARE ways of tricking a router, but I've tried hard with Richard Ames so far - and without success.
If the only problem is the lack of a public IP, you can get a program to fake an IP for you - only for your and your friends' PCs. But you must install it on all PCs.
Sorry if I'm a bit damn not understandable, but I couldn't say it any simpler way.
Okay, perhaps I should give it a go: Try a program called Hamachi. It's your best bet so far. I don't know where you can get it, just search for it using google. Install it on all computers, including your friends' PCs, than you create a network and the others join on to it. Than, when all are set, you host the game, and the others can join to it on the IP address that Hamachi supplies you.
If this doesn't work, one of you has port problems... That's bad luck.
Make sure all of you have the same version of the game![This message has been edited by BBalazs (edited 11-14-2005 @ 08:24 AM).]