Inspiron 640m PTPP vpn error 721

Question

I having a problem connecting to my PTPP VPN at work.  I have been able to connect to it through the same gateway using another computer and the same settings.  My Inspiron is brand new (XPSp2) and I would like to fix this problem as soon as possible.  I have disabled the Windows firewall in a attempt to confirm that there is no ports being blocked.  Please help. I get a vpn error 721.  The connection connects to the server and attempts to validate the user name and password.  It times out after 30 seconds and give this error 'Error 721: the remote computer did not respond. for further assistance, click more info or search...' As I did mention, I have been able to connect with a different Dell pc (XPSp2) from the same network.   Thanks.

tgsmith · Answer

Richard,

Found this recommendation by Robert Lin: http://www.chicagotech.net/vpnerrors.htm

"Check the router settings and make sure that TCP Port 1723, IP Protocol 47 (GRE) are opened."

Also, is the other computer active on the network when you attempt to connect with the Inspiron?

Tony

nunezrichard_ho · Answer

I am trying to connect from home using the notebook.  I have a desktop at home as well, which is the secondary computer and it can connect.  I also tried connecting to vpn using the notebook while at the office with no success.  I also used ptppPing between the server and notebook (from the office and home), which all GRE packets were received.    I am pretty much stumped...I guess the only thing left to do is to reinstall windows XP from CD.    Ths is a new Notebook (1 week old).  Pretty frustrating!!!!

tgsmith · Answer

Richard,   If you can ping the server, then you are communicating.  Couple of suggestions.   1.  In Internet Explorer, click on Tools|Internet Options.  Click on Security tab.  Then click on Trusted Sites icon.  Click on the Sites button.  Add the address of your VPN server and click OK.  Restart your computer and try to connect again.    2.  If you can connect the Internet, you probably do not need the following Winsock Fix program, but it's a good one to have on hand for future connection problems.   http://www.hiseran.com/downloads/WinsockxpFix.exe     Also found this on Microsoft:  http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;885407   I doubt seriously if re-installing Windows will solve your problem.  Since you've only had the laptop a week or so, I suspect something is slightly different from your desktop; i.e., version of Internet Explorer.  IE7 includes Windows Defender.  You may have settings there that can affect your ability to connect via VPN.  You indicated that you had disabled Windows firewall.  If so, do you have either McAfee Personal Firewall or Norton Internet Security installed?    Let us know how you fare.   Tony

nunezrichard_ho · Answer

Thanks for the post.  I acutally solved the issue by format and reinstall.  I'm not for sure what the original issue was, but I assume it might have happened when I unistalled all the programs that come with a new DELL notebook. (Mcaffe, AOL, and so forth).  I formatted and used a DELL restore XPSP2 disk.  I then installed all my software, just like before, and everthing worked fine   Thanks again.

tgsmith · Answer

Richard, Yep.  That could have done it.  Glad you got your problem fixed.  Helps everyone when you post back with resolution to the problem. Tony

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

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