I really tried to figure this out myself first,

[Qmaus]

but obviously I've failed. Very sorry. I'm uncertain if this should be a server or client issue, or both, but I figured it most likely belongs here as a client issue. Please help me, I've combed these forums to no avail. It's probably because my knowledge of connections doesn't get more advanced than two tin cans connected by a string, but anyway...

I do not have a router. My connection runs from comp to cable modem to cable line.
I am not running a firewall. I am running Prevx 3.0, but I doubt there is any issue with that.

Okay, here's what I've already done. Hopefully, my mistake will be obvious here:

I downloaded and started up the server software. Whenever I was in doubt about any of the config questions I opted for the default (like that port 7878), or I accepted the choice that was recommended for people like me who don't know what they're doing.

From reading other posts here (and the responses to them), I have determined that the server has been successfully set up and properly running.

Okay, so then I started up the client software (btw, is it supposed to re-install itself every time I run it?). At first, in address, I used the address provided by that link I saw here, http://whatsmyip.com or something like that [EDIT: that link is wrong, lol, but I clicked a correct one]. Anyway, I clicked the link, wrote down the numbers and dots and stuck that in the address field of the new server form. Connection timed out. That sucked.

So then I came back here to try and figure out what I did wrong. I then came across posts suggesting that perhaps a client on the same comp as the server should connect using address 127.0.0.1). So that's what I did and I'm assuming I connected fine because I saw a screen with my defined Server name up top and my username was directly subordinated to it. I didn't get any messages saying I screwed up, plus I saw keepalive messages in the server box with my username.

At this point I think I'm doing just fine. Next, I tried to see if someone else could connect. So my friend tries to connect and she gets that timeout error thing. Noteworthy here is that I told her to use the address that I got from that http://whatsmyip.com link; I did not tell her to use 127.0.0.1 because my understanding is that I'm the only one that should be using 127.0.0.1 because the client and server are on the same comp (am I wrong here, perhaps?)

Anyway, she can't connect; she's getting these timeout errors, and I am here because I have tapped out my knowledge. Any and all help is appreciated. Thanks so much.

[ChrisW]

It still sounds like a firewall problem. Even though you claim to not be running a firewall, there might be one around that you don't know about.

If you're running Windows XP SP3, Vista, or 7, I believe that the windows firewall is on by default. This might be interfering if you have not explicitly turned it off. You can find the settings for this in Control Panel->Windows Firewall. Also, sometimes cable modems also act as a router and/or firewall. Please confirm that there is no issue with yours.

In the mean time, feel free to use the public server that is listed on the front page.

[thantik]

First off, I would like to thank you for such a well typed post, you gave us all the info we could of possibly needed to assist you and you did your research beforehand; You are in a class all of its own sir.

Secondly, as ChrisW said, it's possible you have another firewall hanging around somewhere...
I also did some research of my own and found that PrevX also has an 'internet security' edition? Do you have that or just the virus/spyware scanner? -- It's possible that PrevX has its own firewall built in; you can check the documentation or the prevx software on your computer and it should be pretty obvious where to find it.

Since you have a direct connection to the internet it's not really advisable to turn any firewall software off; If you were behind a NAT I would say it is safe but the proper thing to do here would be to add rules to whatever firewall software you may have to explicitly allow connections to the port you have voicechatter hosted on.

You are right about your connections/ip address: 127.0.0.1 = 'localhost'; you can actually use the alias 'localhost' as well in the server field if you wish. The ip address you got from whatismyip.com is exactly what you should be giving out for others to connect to you. Keep in mind that sometimes this has the potential to change from time to time so if you find your friends able to connect then one day out of the blue they aren't able to anymore, that will be why.

Again, thank you for your due diligence, me and chris both appreciate it more than you can imagine.

[Qmaus]

Thanks so much for the suggestions. It'll likely be a few days before I can delve into them, but I'll post an update when I can. One new question that popped into my head at the suggestion that my cable modem may act as a router...

If I follow the port forwarding instructions and it turns out not to be necessary, is any harm done? My thinking is that I can just do that to cover all bases if there's no harm in forwarding a port unnecessarily.

Thanks again.

[thantik]

You either have forwarding on your modem or you don't. In the case that you don't; you really can't do much harm, as there will be nothing to change

[Qmaus]

Sorry it's been a while since I've posted an update here; I had to put this on the back burner for a few weeks.

Anyway...

I've finally got it working.

Prevx confirmed that nothing with their software would cause the issue. I verified that windows firewall wasn't running (I purposely disabled it years ago). I couldn't figure out how to get into my cable modem software to check out if it was acting like a router, so I asked how to do that on Y!A.

Some guy on Y!A told me to try putting my IP, minus one from the last number, in a browser address line and that should give me access to any router I could have. So I did that, and I couldn't believe what came up in my browser window...

Vonage

Yeah, I know I didn't mention here that I was hooked up to Vonage; I forgot it was part of the connection. It just never occurred to me at all. Somehow, I sense that if I'd remembered that and mentioned it, this would've been solved sooner, lol.

Anyway, that Vonage page that came up was a sign on screen. A default username of "router" was there and the password field was empty. After a google search, I determined that the default password was also "router"; same as the default username.

So I signed on and it was then simperingly easy to figure out how to forward the port. I forwarded the port, exited, and tested it out. Everything went smoothly.

Thanks so much for all the suggestions and everything. I have to say, it's really amazing how helpful you guys are compared to similar tech help forums for other software. Can't really thank you enough.

Btw, I figured I'd post the story in case a similar thing happens to somebody else who might be running Vonage.

[thantik]

Thanks for actually telling us!! All too soon people figure out their problems, then never say anything so we don't get any additional feedback and I'm sure a lot of our users are vonage users. This will be a big help in the future I'm sure