slow query performance

i have an access .mdb database file on a file server

an access frontend (gui) .mdb file on the other workstations

we have a peer to peer network

all workstations are windows xp sp2 and have nod32 v2 antivirus

our queries all running very slowly since we upgraded to V3

firewall is the culprit (imo)

it has been better since V3.0.20.320 compared to v3.0.19.318 and earlier versions

performance is still very unacceptable

could i have some suggestions about global rules to describe and allow all network activity witing our network

application rules for system and svchost

thanks in advance