Good idea. Basically, when I copied over my client files to the new PCs, I copied over my original copy, which included the original config.wtf (which was pointing to the wrong server, 127.0.0.1). Once I changed it to SET portal "mydnsservername.xyz", then I was golden.
So , the error was correct - It was trying to authenticate to my local PC instead of the server across the room on my LAN. Again, once I changed it as shown above, it was able to connect to my master server and authenticate. Viola!