Windows Messenger and firewalls

[canopus56]

How do file transfers using Windows Messenger relate to firewall
blocking?

I recently purchased a new laptop with XP Pro. After the Windows Update
ran, I have Windows Messenger 4.7, NetMeeting 3.01 and IE 6.0. I was
trying out the capabilities of Windows Messenger's video and audio
communications with a friend on a similar machine while at an internet
cafe.

Although the chat board works fine and video would transfer, we had
problems exchanging files. On a file transfer, Windows Messenger first
gave a firewall block message. We then both disabled our Windows
Firewalls.

Then Windows Messenger gave an error message that the content was not
"secure" and would not deposit the received file in my
documents-downloads folder.

Any tips would be appreciated.

I would like to get Windows Messenger and NetMeeting to work in a mode
with chat, video, file transfer, and the whiteboard working from a
public connection.

- Canopus56

P.S. - Should I install WM 5.1 - the current level?

 

[Jonathan Kay [MVP]]

Greetings,

What exactly were you trying to transfer? Some file types are actually blocked by default by
Windows Messenger (on XP SP2), and need to be re-engaged by using this .reg file:
http://messenger.jonathankay.com/downloads/extfix.reg

You'll need to restart Messenger to see the change. In general though, if you're still
experiencing problems, I would suggest using MSN Messenger instead, as Windows Messenger uses
a quite outdated protocol for sending files which MSN Messenger has long since surpassed:
http://messenger.msn.com/download

--
Jonathan Kay
Microsoft MVP - Windows Messenger/MSN Messenger/Windows Live Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com
All posts unless otherwise specified are (c) 2006 Jonathan Kay.
You *must* contact me for redistribution rights.

 

[canopus56]

Greetings,

What exactly were you trying to transfer? Some file types are actually blocked by default by
Windows Messenger (on XP SP2), and need to be re-engaged by using this .reg file:
http://messenger.jonathankay.com/downloads/extfix.reg

Thanks Johnathan. Basically, no type of file would not transfer. We
tried htm, gif, jpg, txt. Nothing would go through.

I'll consider MSN Messenger. I believe the reason I decided to
investigate Windows Messenger was it's ability to host multi-party
calls. I was under the impression - possibly wrong - that MSN
Messenger would not do that.

- Canopus56