XP SP2, VPN, Outlook, Exchange ... which is it?

[itchyfish]

I've started seeing a problem ever since installing SP2 for XP users.

Prior to XP SP2, VPN users could launch Outlook 2003 and connect to Exchange 2003 without any problems.

Now, that I've installed SP2 - some (not all) of those same users now cannot connect to Exchange via Outlook - it tries and tries and tries with no success.

Any ideas on what could've happened during the SP2 installation that has caused this problem - or how to fix it?

Regards,

Mike

 

[tfg13]

Have you ensured that the VPN software's executable is in the "exceptions" on the firewall? Are you logging anything from the firewall to see if this is the problem?

 

[itchyfish]

The firewall is disabled.

I shouldn't have to put it in the 'exceptions' listing still correct?

Not all of my VPN users have this problem that are on XP SP2.

 

[bcastner]

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=884020

 

[itchyfish]

I'm sorry, but how is that MS Article relevant to my email problem?

 

[bcastner]

A great number of VPN clients use ported I/O through the hook they make in localhost. I have yet to see a VPN client in wide distribution whose tech support did not point to the MS KB article I linked above.

An earlier discussion of PPTP and LP2P failures prior to the patch:

http://news.zdnet.com/2100-1009_22-5321783.html

The patch is beneficial for a lot of reasons, the tcpip.sys fixes a lot of niggling issues with TCP/IP under SP2, and not just localhost issues.

You should be more trusting. I was not trying to steer you wrong. But I would certainly start by making sure that your VPN connection is not facing hurdles imposed for non-firewall reasons under XP SP2.

Bill Castner
MS-MVP, Windows Networking

 

[itchyfish]

Bill,

Thanks for the info - I'm not trusthing what you recommended - I just didn't see the relevance to my problem and was asking for clarification before I making a decision on how to precede with the info you've posted.

Again, thanks for the info regarding my issues.

Mike