FTP - Could Not Connect To Server

[techgy]

I have a problem that may be somewhat difficult to diagnose because I'm not in front of the computer. I set up a subdomain for my sister to use on a temporary basis. She's running Windows XP-Home on a cable modem.

She's been unable to connect to ANY FTP site anywhere regardless as to what it is. She's also used several different FTP programs all with similar results - "timed out" could not connect to server.

We've confirmed that she's setting up the ftp configuration correctly. In fact, I do the same thing from my home and it works just fine. So FTP entries are correct.

I suspect that a service may not be running but not having XP-home I'm not familiar with what service she may need to enable FTP - if that's even the problem.

I'd appreciate any ideas that anyone may have as to where to look next. We've also checked the firewall, and even turned it off. Same Results.
She's shut down all protection programs, same result.

Thanks in advance!

Techgy

[Early Out]

There's nothing special that needs to be set up to make an FTP connection. You're right to be suspicious of something like a firewall or an over-active "privacy protection" module in a security package. Remember that some of these packages don't really shut themselves off, even when you tell them to. It may be necessary to disable them, tell them not to start automatically upon booting, and then reboot.

The WinXP firewall should be turned on, however. It never interferes with things like this, and without any firewall at all, you stand a good chance of getting infected - it can happen within minutes.

[techgy]

The firewall was only down for a few moments. All is back up now.
I'll check with her about the symantec package. Unfortunately, as I indicated, I'm not in front of the system so it will be nearly impossible - at least for me - to try and walk through the configuration.

It's obviously something on her system that's blocking it since she cannot FTP into anything.

[Early Out]

I'm not in front of the system ....Been there, done that - it's like trying to perform surgery with mittens on. :eek: