Windows Messenger and Firewall

[bishop]

I have lots and lots of MSMSGS opened ports on my XP firewall on my computer
at home...close to 100. However, my work computer is configured the same as
far as the firewall and Windows messenger goes but only has 2 MSMSGS opened
ports always. The machine at home always changes. Is there any way to
prevent it from opening all of these ports? Also, why would it be different
at home and at work. The only difference with the work computer is that it
is on a static live IP where as the home machine is on DHCP DSL. Any advice
is greatly appreciated.

 

[Jonathan Kay [MVP]]

Greetings bishop,

Actually it should really be only opening two when it starts. Why you're seeing something
different is because on your computer at home you have an older version of DirectX 9
installed (which caused this problem). You can fix this by upgrading the latest version of
DirectX 9 (you'll also need to remove all the 'extra' msmsgs entries after installing this):
http://tinyurl.com/i0n2
____________________________________________
Jonathan Kay
Microsoft MVP - Windows Messenger/MSN Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com

 

[Peter S.]

Hello Brian,
I think this maybe the solution to our problems. I found this on Jonathan
Kay's web site:

Peter

Setting up Video and Voice over a router/non-XP firewall or NAT
Solve ID: 17

Summary:
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. Messenger uses a
technology called Universal Plug and Play (UPnP). Currently the only
internet sharing (NAT) software that is UPnP compatible is the built in
Internet Sharing included with Windows XP. Hardware and software vendors are
building UPnP support into their products and should be available soon. 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.

 

[Peter S.]

Sorry about the misdirected reply!

Hello Brian,
I think this maybe the solution to our problems. I found this on Jonathan
Kay's web site:

Peter

Setting up Video and Voice over a router/non-XP firewall or NAT
Solve ID: 17

Summary:
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. Messenger uses a
technology called Universal Plug and Play (UPnP). Currently the only
internet sharing (NAT) software that is UPnP compatible is the built in
Internet Sharing included with Windows XP. Hardware and software vendors are
building UPnP support into their products and should be available soon. 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.