CuteFTP will not connect with Windows XP SP2 Firewall enabled

How do I get the Firewall to let CuteFTP work

[chris555]

This subject may have been discussed before but I wanted to save time searching through the threads for an answer.

Problem:
I can't get CuteFTP to work with Windows Firewall "On". If I turn the Firewall off it works just fine.

I have tried adding cuteftp32.exe to the Program list in the exceptions panel and also adding Ports 20 and 21. Both to no avail.

Grrrrr!

If anyone can help I would very grateful.

Cheers
Chris
Perth, Western Australia

[bill]

Welcome to WebmasterWorld chris555.

It sounds like you're doing the right things, but it never hurts to try again. This page on the MS site seems to address this specific issue: Some programs seem to stop working after you install Windows XP Service Pack 2 [support.microsoft.com]. It outlines the steps to take and notes that Cute FTP is a program that may require you to open ports manually. Try the steps on that page and report back whether you have any success.

[chris555]

Thanks Bill.

Yes I have that document and have tried all the suggestions to no avail.

I'm beginning to think that I may have to disable Windows Firewall altogether and install a third party firewall like ZoneAlarm Pro to overcome this problem and provide the peace of mind I need. Having said that I hate being beaten by this kind of thing. I was running ZoneAlarm Pro on my Windows '98 box which I have just decommissioned and it took care of business very nicely.

I'm beginning to realise why some people have said to me, "Welcome to the wonderful world of Microsoft". Others may disagree of course.

Cheers

[bill]

I'm not really sure why that wouldn't work for you. I don't use CuteFTP so I can't replicate this for you. Have you tried CuteFTP Support [cuteftp.com]? This is the sort of problem that you would think that others would have encountered.

I tried messing around with a Japanese and Chinese version of XP with the firewall on, and my tests seemed to work with my FTP software. The Windows Firewall is OK for basic level protection, but it's certainly not as powerful or configurable as something like ZoneAlarm (which comes with its own set of problems).

[chris555]

Yes I have tried CuteFTP support (given that I purchased the software and it is registered). I got a reply from a tech and suggestions along the same lines as you have made though it got to the point, in our exchange of emails, where he had no more ideas. Strange though as you would have thought they would have all the answers being the Vendor.

Yes I thought that this would have been encountered by others who use CuteFTP on the latest version of XP so one wonders if anyone has experienced the same problem or by some lousey quirk I am the only one with it! That would just be my luck.

Is there another forum somewhere that may point me in the right direction?

[bill]

First, can you connect via any other FTP client? How about the built-in FTP command line in Windows?

Another tip I've seen after you open port 21 on the firewall is to open Internet Explorer and uncheck the box: "Use passive FTP (for firewall & DSL modem capability) here:

Tools ¦ Internet Options ¦ Advanced tab

Switching to PASV mode in CuteFTP might also be a setting you'd want to experiment with.

[chris555]

I have not tried another FTP client but will try the suggestions you have made when I get home tonight (currently at work you see).

From memory CuteFTP is already set for PASV but I will check that too.

Thanks for the tips Bill.

[chris555]

I tried the built-in Windows ftp at the Command level. With the Firewall on it does not work but with Firewall off it works fine and I was able to successfully log in, change directories etc etc. So the Firewall is still the problem.

CuteFTP is set for PASV mode as I suspected.

<groan> Man this is frustrating.

[asquithea]

The most obvious suggestion that comes to mind is to try a different firewall package. Of the free packages, ZoneAlarm is probably the best. The pay-for packages can be considerably more secure, and of these Outpost is probably the best.

[chris555]

I was beginning to form the same view some days ago. Co-incidentally a colleague at work mentioned he uses Outpost so that's two recommendations now. I already own a copy of ZoneAlarm Pro so will most likely stick with that.

Thanks for the feedback.