Fwd: Server unresponsive... blocked port ?

[Peter Bunn]

Hello:

The solution to this turned out to be simple... even though I spent tens 
of hours determining what it was.

Nowhere in RealVNC documentation or list searches (or web searches) could 
I find the simple fact that - pre SP2 Windows Firewall - the exception 
for the ICF firewall (e.g. in XP Home SP1) must be configured to show 
5900 as *both* internal and external ports.

'Intuitively', I configured the firewall to match the VNC port 
configuration.  That simply didn't work.

If there is an additional exception required for the HTTP (5800) port, I 
don't know... just happy to have things working from the 'stock' VNC 
Viewer on a Mac.

I may post a detailed summary of my 'saga' for those who might have 
passing interest, though the particular 'specs' of the server/viewer 
arrangement may be rare indeed.

Thanks.

Peter B.

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>
>Hello...
>
>I'm new to this list and new to VNC as well... sorry for the overlong 
>post, but I'm hoping the detail provided might help promote a solution.
>
>I'm trying to access my elderly father's computer remotely.  He's on XP 
>Home SP1, I'm on a Mac.  I'm currently able to 'get in' using PCNow, but 
>would prefer to use RealVNC, with PCNow as a 'backup' as needed.
>
>I had RealVNC working very nicely for a few hours a few weeks ago, but it 
>became necessary/desirable to uninstall Zone Alarm... which seems to have 
>'broken' the VNC connectivity.  I've been trying ever since to restore it.
>
>Since then...
>
>RealVNC has been uninstalled and reinstalled.
>
>I created an exception for VNC in the connection firewall (ICF... pre 
>'Windows Firewall') and I tried to open both 5900 and 5800 ports.  (There 
>is no router.)
>
>The VNC server is set to the default ports, with the Access Control field 
>empty.  When the field has *any* address entered, even the default to 
>permit all connections, any remote connection attempt times out, and the 
>VNC Network Test reports (if I recall correctly) 'not a VNC server'.  
>
>With the Access Control field empty, I can at least get to port 5900, but 
>the Network Test reports "Connecting to port 5900... succeeded.  Waiting 
>for server to send version string... Unknown server ()"  
>
>The remote viewer reports "The connection closed unexpectedly".
>
>The error in the Event Viewer (for the latter connection attempt) is 
>"SocketManager: unknown listener event: 0"... with no more informative 
>messages regarding connection failure.
>
>I've toggled the Access Control settings and the results above are 
>reproducible.  I've tried different ports (in both the firewall and VNC) 
>with no luck.
>
>It seems like I *should* be able to make a connection... but I'm out of 
>ideas.
>
>I've searched the web and this list for the meanings of the various error 
>messages, and have found relevant information... but as yet no solution.
>
>I don't - honestly - know what more I can try with the setup I have now.
>
>I've thought (possibly) reinstalling Zone Alarm and creating an exception 
>for VNC might work.  I've also considered updating the system to SP2 and 
>working with Windows Firewall.  But at this point, I don't have a lot of 
>confidence either would work.
>
>Any suggestions would be enormously welcome.
>
>Thanks for your time.
>
>Peter B.
>
>-----
>