Remote Assistance Disabled Error Message?

[Guest]

Hi, I've spent time searching for this specific error message, but see no
exact references, so here goes...

The Setup:
Me (in DC) - XP Pro SP2; Cable Modem; Linksys BEFW11S4 Router; Remote
Assistance state in System Properties/Remote, tried with Enabled AND Disabled
- neither worked; Windows Messenger w/ .NET access, signed on.
My Friend (in FLA) - XP Home SP2; Cable Modem; no router; Remote Assistance
state in System Properties/Remote, Enabled; MSN Messenger, signed on.

The Condition:
My friend opens Remote Assistance in Help and Support Center and clicks
"Invite someone to help you." Locates me in list (I'm the only one there) and
clicks Send Invitation. I receive a Windows Messenger chat window with the
following error message:

"...Invitation to start using Remote Assistance is declined because the
program is disabled or is not installed on your computer."

I have been racking my brain for days on this and can't figure it out! I
must be missing something simple.

 

[Guest]

I had the same problem until I turned off the Windows Firewall for the
duration of the remote help session. Try that if all other settings are set
to allow remote connections in System Properties. Good Luck

 

[Guest]

I'm sorry. I left out an important part of The Setup. Windows Firewall is
turned off, in favor of using Norton Internet Security on both machines.