I've talked to several people, and no one can figure this out, and it's driving me insane...something is interfering with FTP connectivity in my Vista machine. Anything using FTP can't connect. Here is a list of confirmed apps that aren't working: - FileZilla - SmartFTP - command line FTP - Program updaters like in Spybot S&D that require FTP access - Install programs that require FTP access The most detailed error message I get is from SmartFTP - a connection could not be established because the server actively refused it. How I know it's not a server problem - this is global, across about 10 sites on multiple servers and hosts. These same servers give me FTP access from other machines. How I know it's not a router or ISP problem - I cannot replicate this problem on my other notebook (XP) or desktop (XP), both of which are one the same connection/ISP. One uses a wireless connection, the other is plugged into the router. Both of them are fine. How I know it's not a firewall problem - I don't run any antivirus live scan, and only run Windows Firewall on the network side. Windows Firewall is set to explicitly allow port 21 and my FTP programs. The problem also persists when WF is disabled completely. So there is something screwing with my FTP connectivity, somewhere... This happened when I upgraded to SmartFTP 3.0. The install program stopped me and said I had to restart, as it needed access to files in use by a few apps I had running, including Thunderbird, a messenger app, and, strangely enough, explorer.exe. I found this very odd but tried it anyway. The install completed, but when I restarted these problems were there. I have since uninstalled SmartFTP, the problems persist. I looked for a System Restore point, but I didn't do it soon enough and I don't have one pre-SFTP to go back to. I'm a web designer and SEO, so this is really interfering with work...any pointers on where to look for this problem are greatly appreciated.

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Hi, Please connect to your FTP server and the Microsoft FTP site by using the ftp command and let me know result (the exact wording of the error message). To access the Microsoft FTP site, type the following command: ftp A ftp.microsoft.com I look forward to your response.

Hi,Thanks for your response. Here is the output of that command.Microsoft Windows [Version 6.0.6001]Copyright (c) 2006 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.C:\Users\Nathan>ftp -A ftp.microsoft.comConnected to ftp.microsoft.com.220 Microsoft FTP Service331 Anonymous access allowed, send identity (e-mail name) as password.230-Welcome to FTP.MICROSOFT.COM. Also visit http://www.microsoft.com/downloads.230 User logged in.Anonymous login succeeded for Nathan@Laptopftp>However, when I tried a simple command such as dir, I got:ftp> dir200 PORT command successful.150 Opening ASCII mode data connection.And then it hung. After about 10 minutes I terminated it.When I try to connect via FileZilla or any other FTP software, the connection is refused straight out. The command line FTP is the only thing I can even get to log in...everything else can't even get that far.

Hi, Before we go furhter, please follow these steps tonarrow down the cause ofthe issue: 1. Disable the Firewall. 2. Run the System File Checker tool to check the system files (sfc /scannow):Some Windows Vista functions may not work, or Windows Vista may stop respondinghttp://support.microsoft.com/kb/929833 3. Perform a clean bootHow to troubleshoot a problem by performing a clean boot in Windows Vistahttp://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135 4. After that, please access the FTP server (ftp.microsoft.com) again and let me know the result. In addition, I would like to confirm if there is an FTP server in your environment. If it has, please also access the FTP server and check the result.

Joson,Thanks for your response. After disabling Windows Firewall, running sfc /scannow, and configuring for a clean boot with msconfig, the results are still the same. Please advise me on the next step.

Hi, Based on the current situation, we need to capture the network packets for further research. However, please understand that it may be time consuming to analyze the network packets. If the issue is urgent, Id like to recommend that you contact Microsoft Customer Support Service (CSS) for instant assistance so that the issue can be resolved more efficiently. To obtain the phone numbers for specific technology request please take a look at the web site listed below:http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;EN-US;PHONENUMBERS Here are the steps for capturing network packets: ============================== 1) Download NetMon3.1 from the following website and install it on the Windows Vista and the FTP server:http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=18b1d59d-f4d8-4213-8d17-2f6dde7d7aac&DisplayLang=en2) Log onto the machines, right-click the Netmon icon and select Run as Administrator to launch NetMon3.1.3) In the Microsoft Network Monitor 3.1 window, click Create a new capture tab 4) In the new tab, select all the Network Adapters in the Select Networks window.5) After that, press F10 to start NetMon.Note: Please start NetMon on both machines. 6) On the Windows Vista machine, access the FTP server by using the command ftp.exe to reproduce the issue. 7) Once the issue occurs, go back to the NetMon window and press F11 to stop the NetMon. 8) Press Ctrl+S to save the Netmon file and upload them to the following space: https://sftasia.one.microsoft.com/choosetransfer.aspx?key=7ab14d36-4aa4-4085-b096-a160bc912362 Password: D!X1@SSB1vIjB^a] Note: Please let me know the IP address of the both machines. Please drop a quick note in the current thread to inform me after uploading the file.

Hello,I neglected to mention last time that I am not running an FTP server here. The FTP server I am trying to access is hosted remotely on a Linux VPS I rent.Of course, the issue also persists with ftp.microsoft.com, and any other server I have tried to use FTP with. FTP-based program functions such as anti-virus updates also fail.How can I capture the packets if NetMon is not installed on the remote server, or, can it be installed on my Linux VPS?

Update:I installed NetMon on my Vista machine, as well as an XP machine at the same location. I also installed FileZilla Server on the XP machine (where FTP functionality is fine) and used my Vista machine to connect to it and create a capture. Not sure if this will be helpful, but perhaps so.I used the upload area you provided but kept receiving an error, both when I tried to upload the raw capture file, or an archive of it. I have put the ZIP online available for download:http://preview.tinyurl.com/6n3coeThe IPs are as follows:Host (XP Machine, which was plugged into a router at this location): whatismyip.com shows 24.158.97.128ipconfig shows 192.168.1.106Vista machine (on a wireless connection from the same router)whatismyip.com shows 24.158.97.128ipconfig shows 192.168.1.102In the capture, I first connected through command line FTP. I was able to log in and received the usual hang when executing a command.During this time I also used FileZilla Client to try to connect to the XP machine, and the connection was refused twice.Let me know what other steps I can take to assist. Thanks...

Hi, I find that only the Netmon file on Windows Vista is included in the zip file. Could you pleaseupload the Netmon file on the Windows XP (192.168.1.106) as well? Thanks. To better understand the issue, we'd better enable network monitor on both machines at the same time to capture the network packets.

OK, sorry. I redid the process and updated the zip file to include captures from both the host and the client (Vista machine).

To further explain -The capture involves two events, the first is from command line FTP:Microsoft Windows [Version 6.0.6001]Copyright (c) 2006 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.C:\Users\Nathan>ftp 192.168.1.106Connected to 192.168.1.106.220-FileZilla Server version 0.9.26 beta220-written by Tim Kosse (Tim.Kosse@gmx.de)220 Please visit http://sourceforge.net/projects/filezilla/User (192.168.1.106none)): test331 Password required for testPassword:230 Logged onftp> ls200 Port command successful150 Opening data channel for directory list.It hung there as usual, so I closed the window.I then opened FileZilla and attempted to connect to the host machine one time, which was refused.I disabled all email clients, messengers, etc. during this time, so the log appears to be pretty small and clean. Hope this helps.Thanks!

Hi, I have checked the Netmon files and found that it should be the issue described in the following KB article: 947207 You may receive an error message when you use certain FTP commands on a Windows Vista-based computer http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;947207 Please try the workaround in the KB article and check the result. Hope it helps.

Joson,I disabled IPSec in my Vista machine via the following method:http://windowsitpro.com/article/articleid/24829/how-can-i-disable-ip-security-ipsec-on-a-vpn-connection-that-uses-layer-2-tunneling-protocol-l2tp.html(I did perform a restart after making the registry entry). You can see a screenshot here: http://preview.tinyurl.com/56u79h Unfortunately the problem persists. I also tried using active mode transfer in FileZilla, but the connection was still refused.

Just on a hunch, I scanned for corrupted system files again. The first time, I ran it directly from Run, and the DOS box closed when it was over (I just thought that if there had been a problem, it would have been fixed or alerted me). This time I ran directly from command line, so I could see the outcome. Got this:Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files but was unable to fix some of them.Details are included in the CBS.Log windir\Logs\CBS\CBS.log. For exampleC:\Windows\Logs\CBS\CBS.logI have uploaded the portion of the log file containing all entries from today here:http://preview.tinyurl.com/5orub9

Not sure if this is helpful either, but I tried out FireFTP, a Firefox extension. It works perfectly. FTP also seems to work in IE.

Joson,Problem solved. I installed FireFox 3.01, and couldn't get any connectivity with it. One thing led to another, and I discovered a remnant of Symantec (SYMTDI.SYS) that had apparently not been uninstalled, and was interfering with a number of programs. Since Windows thought the program had been uninstalled, I then reinstalled Norton Internet Security, which modified SYMTDI.SYS, and all functionality across applications was restored.Thank you for your help.

Great. Glad to hear that.

OMG I feel your pain!! I too am a webdesigner and have been trying to FTP my files up. Little did I realise that Vista screws it all up. I have turned off all firewalls, set up FTP ports, allowed exceptions, done everything I can try through all forums available and still Vista will not let me upload via FTP. I can't even access my sites through IE. ARGHHHHHHHH Surely a smart bunch of Microsoft Vista Gurus could write a simple answer to guide up consumers how to use purchased FTPprograms easily on Vista, like we did with XP....... please help before I go broke....

I totally understand this issue...After my XP updated to SP3 I have been unable to connect to one of my clients FTP's....He uses Active mode and when I try connecting it just doesn't want to connect and just sits there forever! The odd part is I'm able to connect to all my passive mode clients just not this one. This absolutely sucks because it appears it's not just a problem limited to Vista but is one that is happening with XP as well.... Microsoft what have you done????