Frequent disconnect

I am frequently being disconnected. About every 3
minutes. The icon still shows me as being connected. If I
try to change my status the messenger asks me to log in
again.

I am using v4.7 the signal goes through a router. I set
port forwarding on the router according to the router's
documentation, but it still does not work. Any advice?
What is the correct port range the messenger uses?

Greetings,

Here are some suggestions that might help:

If you're using a third-party firewall (Sygate, ZoneAlarm, Norton, etc.) try uninstalling
them or set Messenger to "Permit All" or "Allow" type options in the firewall configuration.

If you're using a router, make sure you have the latest firmware from your router
manufacturer. As well, you might try setting your computers local IP into the routers DMZ
setting (see documentation on how to do this).

If you see the disconnection problem on a corporate network, the network may be timing out
your settings -- in this case, you might want to ask your system administrator to adjust the
corporate internet sharing solution/firewall (if possible).

Finally, this can also happen due to a lack of bandwidth. If you have Kazaa, WinMX, GNUtella
or some other file sharing-type application or something else that takes considerable amounts
of bandwidth, you may want to shut it down and see if that helps the situation (even if
you're using a high speed connection, these applications can use most of the resources of
your connection).

You really shouldn't have to alter the port forwardings, but these are the ports that
Messenger uses:
TCP
----
1863: Messenger Server Connection
6891 through 6900: File Transfers
1503: Application Sharing/Whiteboard (XP only)
3389: Remote Assistance (XP only)

UDP
-----
5004 through 65535: Voice (or video in XP) Conversations
____________________________________________
Jonathan Kay
Windows MVP, Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com

"XP" wrote in message ...
I am frequently being disconnected. About every 3
minutes. The icon still shows me as being connected. If I
try to change my status the messenger asks me to log in
again.

I am using v4.7 the signal goes through a router. I set
port forwarding on the router according to the router's
documentation, but it still does not work. Any advice?
What is the correct port range the messenger uses?