To: J. Kay. Re: Your Web Page

[Guest]

Jonathan, I have several questions about your "Solve ID" answers #16 and
#17 on your Messenger web page.

I'm using WinXP SP2 and a Linksys BEFSR41 Router through a Westell Wirespeed
DSL modem and SBC-Yahoo ISP. There are three computers connected to this
home network. I am unable to make any connection using Win Messenger and
cannot do a video conference using MSN Messenger unless I disable my XP
Firewall and put my router into DMZ. Even then, I can't get audio. (I have
enabled all UPnP in Win XP and have enabled UPnP in the Linksys router).

My questions are:
#1. Does the below listed information only apply to WIN Messenger or can it
be also used for MSN Messenger?

#2. If I've disable my WinXP firewall and put my router in DMZ, will doing
any of the below help me to get either WIN or MSN Messenger running?

#3. Why is it necessary to do "Solve ID: 16" in the Windows Firewall
settings, if the Windows Firewall already has an active exception for MSN and
WIN Messenger?

#4. Do I also need to open the 5004-65535 UDP ports and the listed TCP ports
in my router?


On your Messenger web page, under "Using a firewall to connect to .NET
Messenger Service Solve ID: 16", it states ..."For this reason, for a
non-UPnP firewall, you must open ports 5004-65535 (apparently UDP) in order
to have voice/video conversations, and the rest of the (TCP) ports listed in
this article." (1863, 5060, 1503, 3389, 6891, 6892, 6893, 6894, 6895, 6896,
6897, 6898, 6899, 6900). All this is done in Windows XP "Network
Connections", "Firewall" settings.

Under the heading "Setting up Video and Voice over a router/non-XP firewall
or NAT Solve ID: 17" it states ..."If you are using a hardware router or
non-xp internet sharing service you will not be able to use Video and Voice
in Messenger. ... Currently the only internet sharing (NAT) software that is
UPnP compatible is the built in Internet Sharing included with Windows XP.
.... For
firewalls, the built-in Windows XP Internet Connection Firewall opens the
ports for video/voice automatically, but other firewalls do allow video/voice
to pass -- by opening ports 5004-65535."


I must be missing something here. Any clarifying information will be
greatly appreciated. Thanks,

MacKenrick

PS: Sorry for the long post

 

[greg petrowich]

This is the Million Dollar question. If you look through
this and other forums, everybody has problems getting
either version of messenger to connect video/voice, and
there seems to be no answer. Supposedly if you have a
UPnP compliant router (which most Linksys routers are)
then you should have no problem, and yet we all do.

Somebody please help explain why when your router is UPnP
and Win XP SP2 is UPnP you still can't use video/voice on
win messenger or MSN messenger.

 

[Jonathan Kay [MVP]]

Greetings,

Well, just so you know, the information there is nearly 3 years old now, so I'll respond
in-line here.

Jonathan, I have several questions about your "Solve ID" answers #16 and
#17 on your Messenger web page.

I'm using WinXP SP2 and a Linksys BEFSR41 Router through a Westell Wirespeed
DSL modem and SBC-Yahoo ISP. There are three computers connected to this
home network. I am unable to make any connection using Win Messenger and
cannot do a video conference using MSN Messenger unless I disable my XP
Firewall and put my router into DMZ. Even then, I can't get audio. (I have
enabled all UPnP in Win XP and have enabled UPnP in the Linksys router).

#1. Does the below listed information only apply to WIN Messenger or can it
be also used for MSN Messenger?

The UPnP requirement partially is necessary for MSN Messenger functions, the "ports" listed
here are even less significant though.

#2. If I've disable my WinXP firewall and put my router in DMZ, will doing
any of the below help me to get either WIN or MSN Messenger running?

Probably not, I'd suggest you leave the DMZ off on the router, and leave the XP firewall off.

#3. Why is it necessary to do "Solve ID: 16" in the Windows Firewall
settings, if the Windows Firewall already has an active exception for MSN and
WIN Messenger?

It didn't in 2002 and more specifically, didn't until SP2 launched.

#4. Do I also need to open the 5004-65535 UDP ports and the listed TCP ports
in my router?

No, this is UPnP's job (and manually doing it won't help).

However, the first thing you have to make sure about is that your router is using the latest
firmware from Linksys. Linksys has been notorious with firmware versions where UPnP did not
work (period) or did not work correctly.

Secondly, in your DSL modem, make sure that the built-in NAT isn't turned on (there's
probably an option to put it into "Bridge" mode -- do so).

After this, reboot everything (if you change the DSL modem settings, turn the router off and
back on as well) and then try again. One nice little function of MSN Messenger is that you
can click the Tools menu, then Options, then Connection tab and it will tell you your UPnP
status near the bottom part of the dialog.
____________________________________________
Jonathan Kay
Microsoft MVP - MSN Messenger/Windows Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com
All posts unless otherwise specified are (c) 2004 Jonathan Kay.
You *must* contact me for redistribution rights.

 

[Jonathan Kay [MVP]]

Hi Greg,

Sadly, just because something says it supports UPnP doesn't mean it actually supports the
spec properly.
____________________________________________
Jonathan Kay
Microsoft MVP - Windows Messenger/MSN Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com
All posts unless otherwise specified are (c) 2004 Jonathan Kay.
You *must* contact me for redistribution rights.

 

[Greg Petrowich]

Jonathan,

Prior to SP2 I was able to connect video and audio with
several friends using Windows Messenger, my linksys
router, my old non-configurable DSL modem and Windows XP.

I am using the Linksys BEFW11S4 version 2.1. I believe I
have the most current Firmware version 1.45.10.

I can no longer get audio or video with Windows Messenger
5.1 (both friends using the same version). I can get
video but no audio with MSN 6.2 (both using same version.
I can get both audio and video on Yahoo messenger but
both are bad (chalked up to Yahoo not connection

Do you have any idea whether the Linksys firmware 1.45.1
is truly UPnP as it says it is?

I have hooked directly into my DSL modem and had my
friend do the same and it still does not work.

I have turned off QoS on both computers and no difference.

I have turned off the Widows Firewall and no help. When
on, the firewall is configured to allow messenger through.

Should I turn off UPnP on the router and forward the
ports in your suggestion?

Odly my messenger worked so perfectly for nearly a year,
and now I can not connect with anybody. It seems odd that
with so many people having this problem, there aren't any
answers.

To sum up

Dell Latitude X300
WinXP SP2
Firewall on, but passing Win Messenger and MSN
QoS off
UPnp on Win XP On

Linksys BEFW11S4 version 2.1 firmware 1.45.10
UPnP On
PPoE DSL Connection

Windows Messenger version 5.1
MSN Messenger version 6.2

I would be grateful for any help you can offer.

-----Original Message-----
Hi Greg,

Sadly, just because something says it supports UPnP

doesn't mean it actually supports the

 

[Guest]

Jonathan, First... thank you for taking the time to answer my questions.
Learning that not all the information applies to WinXP SP2 was a help. Your
information about some routers having UPnP but that they are not always
working or compatable makes sense too.

I also understand that because of variations in computer hardware and
software, there are always going to be a small number of computers that
simply will not be able to run some programs.

You also suggested I should make sure that the built-in NAT isn't turned on
for my DSL modem and I should put it into "Bridge" mode. I didn't even know
I could change any setting on my DSL Modem and haven't a clue how to do it.
Currently in my "Network Connections", under "Network Bridge", I have a
Network Bridge with a device name of Mac Bridge Miniport. This is where I
change any WinXp Firewall settings. Does this mean my DSL Moden is already
set to "bridge" mode? If not, how do I change it?

Thanks again for all your help, MacKenrick