MAC to PC Video chat with Bellsouth DSL

Z

zaxcom

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Ok so I need some very specific help with a problem. I have a MAC running iChat over Cable Modem. My father has a PC running AIM over Bellsouth DSL using a Westell 6100 modem/router. We can't establish a video connection. We always get the error the connection failed. I know my end is ok, as I can video chat to other MAC users who are also on my local cable companies system.

We have already turned off the built in Firewall in Windows XP, he has SP2. Bellsouth had him go into the modem and enable the AOL Instant Messenger check box in the NAT section of the router, but it still does not work.

Are there other ports that must be opened on either of our ends? And has anyone ever gotten this kind of configuration to work?

Thanks

Zax
 
What verison of AIM is he using? You need iChat AV 2.1 (which you obviously have), and he needs AIM 5.5 for video conferencing to work...
 
He is using version 5.9. I am using iChat 2.1 We can each invite each other to a video chat, but nothing happens after that. After a minute or so it times out and says the connection failed.
 
Hmm... if he's willing to drop firewall protection for a test, he could put his computer in the DMZ via the router then disable Windows Firewall and then you could try to connect -- this would help narrow down the problem to a firewall or router problem... of course, this does put him at significant risk of attack/virus so I think that should be a consideration.

I hope that helps!
 
Well it looks like a firewall is your problem. However, dropping a firewall on a Windows computer is a wide open invitation to get hacked, hijacked, virus infected, etc.

Luckily. Apple apple posted (awhile ago) a list of Well Known" TCP and UDP Ports Used By Apple Software Products. If you (or your father) has some firewall knowledge, opening the correct ports on the firewall for iCat will probably help.
 
Well for a quick test we dropped the firewall and went DMZ. It still did not work. I can invite him to the chat, he accepts, but the negotiation never completes. It always times out or fails.
 
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