Video / voice connections problems - WinXP Pro and WinXP firewall at both ends

Alot of us are having very similar problems and I have
read back many pages through thios board but frankly I
have not seen any resolutions to it. I haved two
machines on the same network and one works with messenger
voice and the other doesn't. The one that doesn't work
make a connection just fine and acts like it is working
but the poeple on the other side just hear no voice or
see any video. The same thing happens when I call from
one machine to the other right in my house. The one that
works works fine and from the other machine no voice or
video. I don't think the program works properly
frankly. I called Microsoft and paid $35 dollars for
technical support but they have not been able to fix it
yet so I would not hold my breath.
-----Original Message-----
Hi All,

My wife and I do video and voice, without any problems
between
ourselves and the PC belonging to her parents.

Our PC: WinXP Pro, Windows Messenger 4.7, using WinXP
built-in
firewall turned on.
My wife's parents PC: WinXP Home, Windows Messenger 4.7,
using WinXP
built-in firewall turned on.

BUT we can't seem to get it to work with MY parents
machine: WinXP
Pro, Windows Messenger 4.7, using WinXP built-in
firewall turned on.

When we turn the WinXP built-in firewall OFF on my
parent's PC, video
and voice via Windows Messenger works fine.

From reading other posts it looks like WinXP is supposed
to have the
built-in ability to automatically enable or
disable 'msmsgs' services
as required to allow video/voice to work. But obviously
it doesn't
seem to be working correctly here.

Can anyone give me any leads to try here? I'm all out of
ideas.

Thanks.
.

Hmmm. This is really frustrating! :-) My wife and I have a beautiful 1
year old baby boy and enjoy sharing video and voice with HER parents
in the UK, but are unable to enjoy the same pleasures with MY parents
unless they first disable the built-in XP firewall (which is a hassle,
plus they're not at all technically minded and so this represent quite
a challenge for them).

My parents have engaged the help of a technical person (hi Steve!) to
help me/them to attempt to resolve this.

From doing some research we decided that the best approach was for
Steve to remove all the occurrences of 'msmsgs' from the list of
services in the firewall advanced settings in the hope that Win XP
would automatically be able to re-include just the services/ports it
needed in order for the video/voice service to work.

End result: no joy.

When I tried to initiate the video/voice connection from here (and
Steve accepted the request), after about 10-15 seconds the message
came up that the voice conversation had ended (even before it had
begun).

When Steve tried initiating from his end, there was about a 20-30
second delay this message came up: 'The network or computer you are
trying to reach is experiencing a problem. Please try again later.'

I just don't get it! :-) Two almost identical Win XP Pro machines,
both running Windows Messenger 4.6, but video/voice doesn't work.

Perhaps we're going to have move to Yahoo or AOL messenger service?!?
Any other hints, tips, comments, etc. would be much appreciated.

First off, do not know anything about Messenger "4.6" I don't think that is
part of Windows XP, maybe 4.7 or even MSN Messenger 5.0. However, I have
the same problem with a person in Florida, we have no idea why the audio
will not connect. Normaly not connecting is the result of a 1. firewall (XP
or other source) 2. or a setup configuration such as a Router or a NAT
modem. Routers are from hardware and NAT Modems are normaly associated with
DSL. If DSL, then contacting the company is the only way to make that
determination. Disableing the XP firewall should be easy and a one time
event. No need to put it back to the installed state.


Joel
"Ross Gerring" wrote in message
om...
Hmmm. This is really frustrating! :-) My wife and I have a beautiful 1
year old baby boy and enjoy sharing video and voice with HER parents
in the UK, but are unable to enjoy the same pleasures with MY parents
unless they first disable the built-in XP firewall (which is a hassle,
plus they're not at all technically minded and so this represent quite
a challenge for them).

My parents have engaged the help of a technical person (hi Steve!) to
help me/them to attempt to resolve this.

From doing some research we decided that the best approach was for
Steve to remove all the occurrences of 'msmsgs' from the list of
services in the firewall advanced settings in the hope that Win XP
would automatically be able to re-include just the services/ports it
needed in order for the video/voice service to work.

End result: no joy.

When I tried to initiate the video/voice connection from here (and
Steve accepted the request), after about 10-15 seconds the message
came up that the voice conversation had ended (even before it had
begun).

When Steve tried initiating from his end, there was about a 20-30
second delay this message came up: 'The network or computer you are
trying to reach is experiencing a problem. Please try again later.'

I just don't get it! :-) Two almost identical Win XP Pro machines,
both running Windows Messenger 4.6, but video/voice doesn't work.

Perhaps we're going to have move to Yahoo or AOL messenger service?!?
Any other hints, tips, comments, etc. would be much appreciated.

"Joel Estes" wrote in message ...
First off, do not know anything about Messenger "4.6" I don't think that is
part of Windows XP, maybe 4.7 or even MSN Messenger 5.0. However, I have
the same problem with a person in Florida, we have no idea why the audio
will not connect. Normaly not connecting is the result of a 1. firewall (XP
or other source) 2. or a setup configuration such as a Router or a NAT
modem. Routers are from hardware and NAT Modems are normaly associated with
DSL. If DSL, then contacting the company is the only way to make that
determination. Disableing the XP firewall should be easy and a one time
event. No need to put it back to the installed state.


Joel

Oops! My mistake. We're using Windows Messenger 4.7 at both ends.

Regarding the firewall: I really want to keep it on for my parent's PC
because I like to be able to make a remote desktop connection to their
PC. Their PC is 'always on' and with a fixed IP (well, a fixed domain
name thanks to dyndns.org and DeeEnEs), and so without a firewall
there's not a lot to stand between their computer and a hacking
attempt apart from their pretty feeble usernames and passwords :-)

I guess I'm just going to have to keep on searching the 'Net for the
answer - it must be out there somewhere.

Do I understand correctly that your parents' machine is directly connected
to a DSL line? Or is it behind some sort of router as well?

--
John Holmes
Developer, MSN Messenger

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
Please do not send e-mail directly to this alias. This alias is for
newsgroup purposes only.


"Ross Gerring" wrote in message
om...
"Joel Estes" wrote in message
...
First off, do not know anything about Messenger "4.6" I don't think
that is
part of Windows XP, maybe 4.7 or even MSN Messenger 5.0. However, I
have
the same problem with a person in Florida, we have no idea why the audio
will not connect. Normaly not connecting is the result of a 1. firewall
(XP
or other source) 2. or a setup configuration such as a Router or a NAT
modem. Routers are from hardware and NAT Modems are normaly associated
with
DSL. If DSL, then contacting the company is the only way to make that
determination. Disableing the XP firewall should be easy and a one time
event. No need to put it back to the installed state.


Joel

Oops! My mistake. We're using Windows Messenger 4.7 at both ends.

Regarding the firewall: I really want to keep it on for my parent's PC
because I like to be able to make a remote desktop connection to their
PC. Their PC is 'always on' and with a fixed IP (well, a fixed domain
name thanks to dyndns.org and DeeEnEs), and so without a firewall
there's not a lot to stand between their computer and a hacking
attempt apart from their pretty feeble usernames and passwords :-)

I guess I'm just going to have to keep on searching the 'Net for the
answer - it must be out there somewhere.

"John Holmes [MSFT]" wrote in message ...
Do I understand correctly that your parents' machine is directly connected
to a DSL line? Or is it behind some sort of router as well?

--
John Holmes
Developer, MSN Messenger


Hi John,

Both my PC and my parents PC have direct broadband/ADSL connections to
the Internet. Both PCs are being used from home, neither are behind
any sort of router nor are they part of a LAN at their respective
locations. The only firewall protection being used is that afforded by
the built-in Win XP firewall. When this firewall is disabled on my
parents 'Net connection, video/voice works in Windows Messenger works
fine. So the challenge is to get it working with the firewall enabled
(exactly as it is on my PC here).

Thanks for any advice or checklist you can give us.

Hmm. Do all parties concerned have the same version of messenger? Which
version is that (down to the build number, please)?

--
John Holmes
Developer, MSN Messenger

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
Please do not send e-mail directly to this alias. This alias is for
newsgroup purposes only.


"Ross Gerring" wrote in message
m...
"John Holmes [MSFT]" wrote in message
...
Do I understand correctly that your parents' machine is directly
connected
to a DSL line? Or is it behind some sort of router as well?

--
John Holmes
Developer, MSN Messenger


Hi John,

Both my PC and my parents PC have direct broadband/ADSL connections to
the Internet. Both PCs are being used from home, neither are behind
any sort of router nor are they part of a LAN at their respective
locations. The only firewall protection being used is that afforded by
the built-in Win XP firewall. When this firewall is disabled on my
parents 'Net connection, video/voice works in Windows Messenger works
fine. So the challenge is to get it working with the firewall enabled
(exactly as it is on my PC here).

Thanks for any advice or checklist you can give us.

Greetings Ross,

Have you tried getting them to remove their Messenger port forwardings in the Internet
Connection Firewall and trying again? If not, have them (you could also do this using Remote
Assistance) click Start, All Programs, Accessories, Communications, Network Connections.
Right click the internet connection, then click Properties. Click the Advanced Tab, verify
that the Internet Connection Firewall is on, and then click the Settings button. Check to
see if there are 'msmsgs' or 'msnmsgr' entries. If so, 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 (with the
firewall still on).
____________________________________________
Jonathan Kay
Windows MVP, Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com

"Ross Gerring" wrote in message
m...
"John Holmes [MSFT]" wrote in message
...
Do I understand correctly that your parents' machine is directly connected
to a DSL line? Or is it behind some sort of router as well?

--
John Holmes
Developer, MSN Messenger


Hi John,

Both my PC and my parents PC have direct broadband/ADSL connections to
the Internet. Both PCs are being used from home, neither are behind
any sort of router nor are they part of a LAN at their respective
locations. The only firewall protection being used is that afforded by
the built-in Win XP firewall. When this firewall is disabled on my
parents 'Net connection, video/voice works in Windows Messenger works
fine. So the challenge is to get it working with the firewall enabled
(exactly as it is on my PC here).

Thanks for any advice or checklist you can give us.

"Jonathan Kay [MVP]" wrote in message ...
Greetings Ross,

Have you tried getting them to remove their Messenger port forwardings in the Internet
Connection Firewall and trying again?

Yes we have :-(

"John Holmes [MSFT]" wrote in message ...
Hmm. Do all parties concerned have the same version of messenger? Which
version is that (down to the build number, please)?


Hi John,

Both parties have Windows Messenger 4.7(4.7.2009).

Sorry if it takes me a few days to get back between posts - it can be
difficult co-ordinating mutually convenient times with a 7 hour time
difference between myself and my parents.

I've just tried again, and the problem remains. We've deleted all the
msmsgs settings from their firewall settings, but still no luck.

Thanks for your support, I would really like to get to the bottom of
this one, however long it takes. It would be useful if Windows
Messenger had more diagnostic reporting rather than just 'The video
and voice conversation with ... has ended' :-)

Ross.

We're going to release MSN Messenger v6 very soon now. I'd suggest both of
you installing that and seeing how it works.

--
John Holmes
Developer, MSN Messenger

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
Please do not send e-mail directly to this alias. This alias is for
newsgroup purposes only.


"Ross Gerring" wrote in message
om...
"John Holmes [MSFT]" wrote in message
...
Hmm. Do all parties concerned have the same version of messenger? Which
version is that (down to the build number, please)?


Hi John,

Both parties have Windows Messenger 4.7(4.7.2009).

Sorry if it takes me a few days to get back between posts - it can be
difficult co-ordinating mutually convenient times with a 7 hour time
difference between myself and my parents.

I've just tried again, and the problem remains. We've deleted all the
msmsgs settings from their firewall settings, but still no luck.

Thanks for your support, I would really like to get to the bottom of
this one, however long it takes. It would be useful if Windows
Messenger had more diagnostic reporting rather than just 'The video
and voice conversation with ... has ended' :-)

Ross.

John since you are the expert,

Will version 6 connect to previous versions of Messenger...My father
has Win98.........old Messenger

Will it be another screw up, like version 5 which installs in addition
to the one you have and end up with two Messengers?

Willl it be able to connect behind Lynksis routers?

Even on DZM my brother can't connect with me.......only one side
works...........what the heck is that? He has to unlug his router and
connect directly everythibg works. What's that?

Have the latest firmware...................of the router ........





On Tue, 17 Jun 2003 16:56:28 -0700, "John Holmes [MSFT]"
wrote:

We're going to release MSN Messenger v6 very soon now. I'd suggest both of
you installing that and seeing how it works.

"John Holmes [MSFT]" wrote in message ...
We're going to release MSN Messenger v6 very soon now. I'd suggest both of
you installing that and seeing how it works.

--
John Holmes
Developer, MSN Messenger

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
Please do not send e-mail directly to this alias. This alias is for
newsgroup purposes only.



GOOD NEWS! We've just downloaded and installed MSN Messenger v.6
(preview) from http://messenger.msn.com/download/v6preview.asp and
initial tests suggest that video and audio are both working with the
built-in XP firewall turned on at both ends. Great! My Mum in England
got to see and hear my 1 year old son here in Australia!

We're trying it again tomorrow just to make certain sure (after
reboots at both ends and double checking that the firewalls are indeed
on), but otherwise - problem solved :-)