FTP problem

[lanceja]

I have a user that has a Windows NT4.0 workstation (SP6a). They are having a problem with downloading files from a FTP site. They can go to a site, see the file and tell it to download but nothing downloads. They do not get any error messages or anything showing a problem.

Have had them go to at least 2 different FTP sites with same problem. Have had them do it through their Cable connection and through 2 different dialup accounts. In all the different scenarios it is the samething. Right now am having them reinstall SP6a, but not sure if that will fix problem. Does have anyone have a suggestion.

Thanks for any help.

 

[Ntr0P]

Is this browser based FTP or command line? If one, have you tried the other? Are you positive it's not d/l'ing? No network activity, not possibly d/l'd to a different directory?

 

[crazynoodle]

Is it possible that your firewall might be the culprit... You might also want to try using passive Ftp as opposed to active.

http://slacksite.com/other/ftp.html

 

[lanceja]

NtrOP: What do you mean by d/l'ing?

Crazynoodle: The user has no firewall. Will have to look at passive vs active.

Thanks to you both for the information.

 

[Ntr0P]

d/l'ing = downloading - Sorry, shorthand

 

[lanceja]

No problem. Unfortunately the user is in Texas while we are in Charlotte. From talking to the user, he goes into the directory where the file is being downloaded. He sees the file name being created, but nothing is put in the file.

Thanks

 

[Ntr0P]

Is this a NTFS partition? My first thought is a permission issue at the destination path.

 

[lanceja]

I need to redo the problem I have. I thought the user in question could get the dir and start the download. I was wrong. They are getting an Error message: Can't open data port. Looking at the Microsoft site it says that the FTP shipped with NT does not support passive mode. What ever that means.

I am not an expert on FTP so what can be done to a NT Workstation that could fix this problem. I have other NT workstations that can download files from a FTP site with no problem.

Thanks

 

[crazynoodle]

When you earlier stated the user has no firewall - do you mean or are you certain they are not running some software firewall on the PC - I wasnt sure if you meant there was no physical firewall before their internet router. I have seen people with mis-configured firewalls have issues like this. Zone Alarms etc.... I thought it was at least worth asking.

 

[lanceja]

As far as I know they are not using Zone Alarm. They are plugged straight into their cable modem with nothing in between.

Some more info: They are using IE 6.0 SP1. Have no idea if that would cause the problem but thought I would add it.

Thanks

 

[manarth]

The command line ftp shipped with win NT doesn't support passive mode - try d/l'ing some FTP software (which wouldn't rely on NT's ftp command line) - if you can then d/l using passive mode on the software, you know it's an active vs passive issue.

poss software = coffee cup ftp, cute ftp, WS FTP Pro, FTP explorer...not sure how many of them are NT compatible tho! <marc>[ul]help us help![li]please provide feedback on what works / doesn't[/li][li]not sure where to start? click here: faq581-3339[/li][/sup][/ul][/sup]

 

[lanceja]

Just to update everyone. One of my coworkers was able to get hold of the computer. They did some looking at the log files associated with the RaptorMobile VPN client software. Found out that when a FTP was being done a log entry was being created. She uninstalled the Raptormobile client software and was able to get the FTP to work with no problem.

She did install the updated Symantec VPN client with no problem for FTP.

Thanks for everyone's help.