Free Webspace ftp problem

[RazziB]

Hi everybody

Since saturday 24th April I am no longer able to upload files to my free BT webspace.

I can connect ok to ftphost.btconnect.com with my username and password, that works fine I get the usual "User xxxx logged in." message.

I can use PWD to check my current directory, or cd public to change directory.

But I can not upload or download any files - even a simple directory listing!

If I try to use dir to get a current directory listing it waits for about 3 minutes before giving the following error:

"200 PORT command successful
425 Unable to build data connection: Connection timed out".

Does anyone else have this problem or is it just me? Does anyone have a solution?

I have searched google/bt for any known issues but found nothing.

Thanks

Chris

[hannaharnold]

I said when I go to tools etc I have passive ftp checked - however, when I used leech to help transfer the files as dreamweaver not working I could see that is said:

200 PORT command successful

being PORT - this means active?

[dave]

Yes, this means active. Try changing leech to passive if you can and see what happens. I am afraid I am not sure how to disable AVG.

[hannaharnold]

Is n't it BT who is my ftp provider that needs to change to passive and not leech - leech is just a program that does exactly what dreamweaver does and puts your local file onto the remote server - it is this that is not working as both programs are saying they cannot get onto the remote server.

[dave]

The FTP server can handle both active and passive modes. It is the FTP client (leech) that decides whether active or passive mode is in use. Passive mode is certainly a lot more compatible with firewalls due to the way it works.

It is not quite as simple as just putting files on the server. With FTP there are 2 connections going on. The control connection where you send the commands to the server, and the actual data transfer connection

With active mode, for the data transfer the server has to initiate a connection back to your machine and your machine needs to be ready to take this incoming connection. From the original posters logs, it is at this point it is failing.

With passive mode, your machine initiates both the required connections.

Try using something like Filezilla if you are having problems. That is nice and easy to switch modes.

[hannaharnold]

downloaded firezilla but don't know what todo next - help

[dave]

Assuming you downloaded Filezilla client and not Filezilla server, enter your FTP login details in the 3 boxes at the top and connect.

Then drag files from the left side (your computer) to the right side (the server)

[hannaharnold]

relaised downloaded server not client - try again

[hannaharnold]

yes - it all works now thanks - (well dreamweaver doesn't) seems like you cannot with version 7 tell it to use passive (unless anyone can correct me on this) - I tried updating dreamweaver and managed to get to version 7.01 which made no difference but also went to trial version and now cannot find my numbers to activate!! Good days work hey! But at least website back working.

[RazziB]

Hi Dave

Thanks for your suggestion to change the mode from active to passive - you are a genius!!

However, unfortunately it does not seem to be quite that simple...:

I have tested with a graphical ftp program - ticking the 'passive' mode box now allows directory listing, file transfers as normal, unticking it results in a 5 minute pause then a timeout error.

Unfortunately we have to send a dozen or so files every 15 minutes which is why we use the standard windows FTP.EXE program because we can automate it.

Using FTP I switch to passive mode by using literal pasv as follows:

ftp> literal PASV
227 Entering Passive Mode (209,235,144,30,133,234).
ftp> dir
200 PORT command successful
425 Unable to build data connection: Connection timed out

But as you can see even after using PASV the very next command seems to be using active mode again, resulting in a long wait and error.

We would like to contine to use the FTP program rather than buy another package that can be automated.

[trewirgies]

I have had the same problem - this time with Microsoft Fontpage which I have been using their ftp transfer quite happily up to the end of last week... then suddenly developed a fault in trying to update the website this week…

“425 Unable to build data connection: Connection timed out”

I get the same result from both my laptop and my desktop.

I have been using it for weeks without problem with the settings stored in Frontpage 

I hear all th discussion about ftp settings but WHY shoould it suddenly stop working unless the hosts have changed something?