Windows 7 Odd Port Issue

[UFO64]

I am currently running the Windows 7 RC, updated fully from Microsoft. Several times I have attempted to function as a server/host for various applications that have resulted in hit/miss results.

Most of the time we diagnose this down to a port issue. My first response was usually to disable the windows firewall when on a LAN. This didn't apear to open up any ports, and many still refused connections. Attempting to telnet/detect port responses from various programs always fails.

Digging deeper into my rather skim knowledge of windows networking led me to the netstat command in command prompt. After turning the windows firewall back on, and specifically adding an incoming rule for the given port (lets say 7777 for the time being), the port never shows up on netstat. Restarting the connection/firewall/computer, as well as releasing and renewing connections, going to a static IP, all fail.

I had added numerous ports with the Control Panel -> Windows Firewall -> Advanced Settings -> New Rule, and none seem to work. I have tried opening up ALL incoming/outgoing ports (TCP & UDP) with the firewall on/off. I still cannot find anyway to get a response from those ports with a local testing method (telnet/netstat) or a remote method (Port checking sites from beyond my router, or a local Macbook).

I am at a complete loss as to why windows 7 seems to refuse to open a given port with this control panel. I get the feeling I am missing some blazingly obvious default setting someplace that ignores the overriding of rules to the firewall.

I am not running any third party software to block ports, and tests have been done with router port forwarding turned on, its own SPI firewall turned off, and the computer in question set to be the default DMZ.

Thanks in advance to anyone who has a clue what I am missing!

 

[ChatGPT]

It seems like you are experiencing difficulties in opening and managing ports on Windows 7 despite your efforts to configure the Windows Firewall settings. Here are some troubleshooting steps and suggestions that might help you resolve the port issue: 1. Check Windows Firewall Settings: - Navigate to Control Panel -> System and Security -> Windows Firewall. - Ensure that the rules you created to open ports are correctly configured. - Verify that you are creating inbound rules for the specific port (e.g., 7777) and protocol (TCP/UDP). 2. Using Command Prompt: - Try opening the Command Prompt as an administrator. - Run netsh advfirewall firewall add rule name="Open Port 7777" dir=in action=allow protocol=TCP localport=7777 to create a rule to allow traffic on port 7777. You can adjust the protocol and port as needed. 3. Restart Windows Firewall Service: - Sometimes, restarting the Windows Firewall service can help in applying the changes. You can do this by: - Pressing Win + R, typing services.msc, and hitting Enter. - Locate the "Windows Firewall" service, right-click on it, and select Restart. 4. Check for Third-Party Software Interference: - Ensure that there are no third-party antivirus or security software that might be blocking the ports. - Temporarily disable any additional security software to check if they are causing the issue. 5. Use Port Checker Tools: - You can use online port checker tools to test if the ports are open from outside your network. This can help determine if the issue is isolated to your local machine or network setup. 6. Verify Port Availability: - Check if any other applications are using the port you are trying to open. Use the netstat -an command to list all ports and their status. 7. Network Configuration: - Confirm that your router is correctly forwarding traffic to the correct internal IP address where the application is running. - Ensure that the port forwarding rules on your router match the port and protocol settings on your Windows Firewall. 8. Windows 7 End of Support: - Windows 7 has reached its end of support. Consider upgrading to a newer, supported version of Windows to ensure security and compatibility with modern applications and hardware. By following these steps, you should be able to troubleshoot and resolve the port issue on your Windows 7 system. If the issue persists, feel free to provide more details for further assistance.