Jonathan should I open ports and use upnp

[Not Bob Dylan]

Hi,

I have the Linksys BEFSR41router with the latest firmware. I'm
currently trying to use Windows Messenger 4.7.2009. I do not have MSN
Messenger installed.

Should I also install MSN Messenger?

I am having problems using the audio video funtions of Windows
Messenger. I'm trying to connect with my family in Japan. We both
have broadband connections, I have cable and they have adsl.
Lately we can't connect with A/V.

I have the UPnP enabled on the router. I also have port range
forwarding enabled from 5004 to 65535 forwarded to my PC's IP address.

Is one cancelling out the other, or screwing things up by having both
enabled? I do not have DHCP enabled on the router.

Please help, when it works, it is so great.

[Jonathan Kay [MVP]]

Greetings,

There's no need to install MSN Messenger (unless you want to), but yes, forwarding the ports
manually will stop UPnP from working properly (I haven't checked this in the latest firmware
release, but previous versions did). Firstly, remove the manual port forwarding you've done,
then reset your UPnP port forwardings. To do so, click Start, All Programs, Accessories,
Communications, Network Connections. Right-click the "Internet Gateway" (should be under the
Internet Gateway heading) and choose Properties. Choose the Settings button, click each
'msmsgs' or 'msnmsgr' entry and then choose 'Delete' to each one. Then close Messenger
(right-click the Messenger icon, choose Exit), then restart Messenger and try a voice/video
conversation again.

DHCP isn't required for UPnP to work properly.
____________________________________________
Jonathan Kay
Windows MVP, Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com

"Not Bob Dylan" > wrote in message
...
> Hi,
>
> I have the Linksys BEFSR41router with the latest firmware. I'm
> currently trying to use Windows Messenger 4.7.2009. I do not have MSN
> Messenger installed.
>
> Should I also install MSN Messenger?
>
> I am having problems using the audio video funtions of Windows
> Messenger. I'm trying to connect with my family in Japan. We both
> have broadband connections, I have cable and they have adsl.
> Lately we can't connect with A/V.
>
> I have the UPnP enabled on the router. I also have port range
> forwarding enabled from 5004 to 65535 forwarded to my PC's IP address.
>
> Is one cancelling out the other, or screwing things up by having both
> enabled? I do not have DHCP enabled on the router.
>
> Please help, when it works, it is so great.