FTP/firewall problem?

[lost tropics]

I am trying to upload files to my site but I can't get the FTP client to log in. I am well seasoned with websites and FTP, though it has been 4 years. It seems this problem is unique for me since I am now on XP and DSL (4 years ago I was on 98 and dial up and never had a problem like this).

I have tried turning off my firewall for 15 minutes, I've tried setting the FTP client to passive, my windows firewall is disabled, my firewall program is set to accept these FTP clients (I've tried several) and give access; nothing seems to work and I don't know what else to try. If it's a matter of my DSL modem I do not know how to configure it to open port 21 or whatever. (SBC Global, now AT&T). Calling up their tech support is torture.

When you have hundreds (literally) of pages to upload it really sucks to upload one (or 3) at a time through the cpanel. I've tried the webdisk but it says the public_html folder is empty or something so I'm unable to drag and drop files.

Any ideas?

[shadmego]

This sounds very strange to me.

I don't want to sound like I'm overlooking your problem, but one way around this issue is to zip all of your website files and folders into one zip file, upload that file to your public_html directory and then use the uncompress function of File Manager. While this won't get your FTP program working, it will get your website online.

In order to help troubleshoot your FTP problem, it might be helpful to know which FTP program you are trying to use.

I'm not sure this is a firewall problem because "normally", a firewall will allow established communications through as long as they were started from inside the network. I say "normally" because it is possible to turn this feature off, but it would require a more advanced firewall, or a specific rule to be written or turned on/off to activate.

Webdisk actually uses a different set of port numbers than standard FTP. One more thing you might want to try is to use the Unlimited FTP program available through your CPanel interface. This uses the standard FTP ports and will help further troubleshoot the issues you are facing.

By the way, how locked down is your XP box? You mentioned turning off your firewall for 15 minutes. Do you have Norton? Trend Micro? McAfee?

Anot one last thing to look for is to allow port 20 through your firewall as well. Port 20 is the data port used to actually transfer the files. Port 21 is the control port used to establish and maintain the connection. These should only be allowed in the outbound direction; noone should be connecting to your computer via FTP unless you are running an FTP server.

~regards, and welcome to the Community!

[lost tropics]

I've tried Cute FTP, WS FTP, Core, Filezilla, and I get the same problem with them all. My ISP uses Norton for internet security, it came with my ISP package, so it wasn't my choice, but it's ok, at least I didn't have to pay for it directly :).

It's been 4 years since I've done all this webpage and FTP stuff, seems like so much has changed. I'm used to everything working automatically; I don't recall ever having to configure anything. It was load the software, add the website, uid, and p/w to the list, click connect and there I was. I have no idea how to open up or change ports through my firewall or any of that kind of stuff. All of that is foreign to me. Being a techie is mostly a hobby for me, so I fell behind over the last few years while I dealt with life.

Sorry to be high maintenance about my problem. I will need some hand holding since so much has changed over the last few years.

Thanks