Direct Connecting with Friends
 

When I try to direct connect with a friends computer to download music from them it gives me an error message and says it "cannot connect to host computer." They also have the new Beta Limewire and the IP address that we use to try to connect is the one that is given in the Direct Connect tab where it says "When your friends want to connect to you they should use the number ....." What can I do to fix this problem? Does it have anything to do with a firewall and if so how could I disable that so that he and I can share music?

I'm not in the know about direct connecting, but yes if you have a firewall it can definitely affect your connection to them or even the Gnutella network. You may need to Force IP. Are you able to connect to the network at all? See this thread to find out how to check your firewall status: http://www.gnutellaforums.com/showth...threadid=26886

I would use a ftp server its more work to set up but its much more reliable and safer.

btw are you both using a firewall? AFAIK its not possible to download if both are firewalled and I am not sure if it works with force IP - a wise man said testing is better than studying. ;)

Morgwen

Thanks a million for the info, however, I know nothing about what I am doing... Can you tell? ;) I am able to download from Limewire on both computers, however, when I try to connect to the his computer it says that I "cannot browse host". We both have XP, but in the internet options the button that says enable firewall is unchecked. I also have the "Force IP" button checked and I still can't direct connect to his computer... Any other ideas or suggestions? At this point, anything would help...
Thanks again for replying already though!
BTW, what is an ftp server?

Correct me anybody if I'm wrong but in the Monitor window, isn't that what the Enable incoming searches is for; to allow people to browse. Do you have this option ticked?

A program to create an own server. Your friends could connect to you every time while your server is running and you are able to protect it via a password.

Have a look:

http://www.tucows.com/search

You also need to join no-ip or an other provider:

http://www.no-ip.com/

This changes your IP to a name so that your friend, only needs this name to connect to you, without it he must know your IP and the IP changes after every connect.

If you need more help ask. :)

Morgwen

The disadvantage of a FTP server is that it is one way traffic. Your friends can upload from you but you can't from them.
If you want to stay on gnutella try Phex, you can set up your own private Gnutella network with it complete with chat function.



http://phex.kouk.de/img/phexbtn.gif

Not true if you connect to him at the same time you can upload and download at the same time!!! Of course his friend should also set up a ftp server, like all people need also Phex to share...

Morgwen

No one has yet mentioned the possible problem of one or more of the users who wish to 'direct connect' having 'Dynamic' versus 'Static' IPs...

Most of the better Gnutella Network clients provide "easy" ways to make a 'direct connection'...

Another simple way to do 'direct connects' is by using a suitable 'chat program'...

mIRC is one that I would recommend very strongly...
(Because KathW is a renowned expert on it and is an absolute pro in the 'hand-holding' stages of learning to use it... !!!
I know she uses it for direct connecting... Normally with me ! LOL )

Last thing for now...
Be sure to use some form of chat when you are doing the 'direct connects' with any of the Gnutella clients...
It's essential if you don't want to go crazy trying to figure out how to do it !!!

I´ve post the solution for this problem...

Morgwen