VPN Client-side issues

Hi,

I have a strange and increasingly urgent issue trying to connect to a
Microsoft PPTP VPN. In short, I can connect through from one client
machine, but not another; are there any programs or system processes
which are known to interfere with the login process on the MS VPN?

The VPN is a PPTP VPN into my customer site. Set up using the standard
MS wizard, with the only change from the default configuration being to
uncheck the "use default gateway on local network".

Using my kids' PC(!) I can connect through no problem, using my
development laptop I can make the initial connection, then get repeated
requests for the login information, before the system gives up and
throws error 649. This is a red herring, as the authentication
information is the same in both cases (Local user name and password on
the remote machine).


Both client machines are Windows XP, both "upgraded" to SP2 in the last
few months. There are quite a few services and running tasks different
on the two machines, but looking in detail I can't see which could cause
the issue. Most of the additional ones on the dev laptop are nothing to
do with networking. I've physically uninstalled the CISCO VPN software
that used to exist on my machine - and I know this uninstall is complete
because the same software was on the kid's PC until being uninstalled
very recently.

I know of issues with early SP2 releases causing networking problems
(one of the reasons I didn't install until I had to), and I've seen
references on the net to various registry hacks to circumvent these. I
don't know if they apply though.


The router is a netgear DG834 - and I am aware of the issue that you
must re-boot the router if you want to connect using a different
machine. (For those who may not know, If you don't re-boot this router
and try to connect to a VPN from a different machine then you get error
721. Something to do with the NAT cache)

I've talked to the customers' IT support (who are a third party), but
they say I'm the only person with this problem, and won't help by
looking at the server event logs or anything like that, so I'm on my own.


Does anyone have any suggestions?


Desperately yours,


Richard

Assuming the login screen asks you username, password and domain name, try to uncheck include Windows logon domain under Option of the properties of VPN connection. Or type the RRAS host name instead of the domain name.

Bob Lin, MS-MVP, MCSE & CNE
Networking, Internet, Routing, VPN Troubleshooting on http://www.ChicagoTech.net
How to Setup Windows, Network, VPN & Remote Access on http://www.HowToNetworking.com
"Richard" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message news:ei$(E-Mail Removed)...
Hi,

I have a strange and increasingly urgent issue trying to connect to a
Microsoft PPTP VPN. In short, I can connect through from one client
machine, but not another; are there any programs or system processes
which are known to interfere with the login process on the MS VPN?

The VPN is a PPTP VPN into my customer site. Set up using the standard
MS wizard, with the only change from the default configuration being to
uncheck the "use default gateway on local network".

Using my kids' PC(!) I can connect through no problem, using my
development laptop I can make the initial connection, then get repeated
requests for the login information, before the system gives up and
throws error 649. This is a red herring, as the authentication
information is the same in both cases (Local user name and password on
the remote machine).


Both client machines are Windows XP, both "upgraded" to SP2 in the last
few months. There are quite a few services and running tasks different
on the two machines, but looking in detail I can't see which could cause
the issue. Most of the additional ones on the dev laptop are nothing to
do with networking. I've physically uninstalled the CISCO VPN software
that used to exist on my machine - and I know this uninstall is complete
because the same software was on the kid's PC until being uninstalled
very recently.

I know of issues with early SP2 releases causing networking problems
(one of the reasons I didn't install until I had to), and I've seen
references on the net to various registry hacks to circumvent these. I
don't know if they apply though.


The router is a netgear DG834 - and I am aware of the issue that you
must re-boot the router if you want to connect using a different
machine. (For those who may not know, If you don't re-boot this router
and try to connect to a VPN from a different machine then you get error
721. Something to do with the NAT cache)

I've talked to the customers' IT support (who are a third party), but
they say I'm the only person with this problem, and won't help by
looking at the server event logs or anything like that, so I'm on my own.


Does anyone have any suggestions?


Desperately yours,


Richard

Hi Bob,

On the original screen I've tried with and without the "include windows logon domain", and it makes no difference on either machine. The screen that comes back prior to the 649 error always asks for the domain.
I don't know the RRAS hostname, but I can probably find out. I'm in the UK, so I'll have a go this evening to make the best use of your time (I guess you're US based).
Thanks for the suggestions - will let you know how I get on.
Regards,

Richard
__________________________________________________ _____________________________
"Robert L [MS-MVP]" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message news:(E-Mail Removed)...

Assuming the login screen asks you username, password and domain name, try to uncheck include Windows logon domain under Option of the properties of VPN connection. Or type the RRAS host name instead of the domain name.

Bob Lin, MS-MVP, MCSE & CNE
Networking, Internet, Routing, VPN Troubleshooting on http://www.ChicagoTech.net
How to Setup Windows, Network, VPN & Remote Access on http://www.HowToNetworking.com
__________________________________________________ __________________________________________
"Richard" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message news:ei$(E-Mail Removed)...

Hi,

I have a strange and increasingly urgent issue trying to connect to a
Microsoft PPTP VPN. In short, I can connect through from one client
machine, but not another; are there any programs or system processes
which are known to interfere with the login process on the MS VPN?

The VPN is a PPTP VPN into my customer site. Set up using the standard
MS wizard, with the only change from the default configuration being to
uncheck the "use default gateway on local network".

Using my kids' PC(!) I can connect through no problem, using my
development laptop I can make the initial connection, then get repeated
requests for the login information, before the system gives up and
throws error 649. This is a red herring, as the authentication
information is the same in both cases (Local user name and password on
the remote machine).


Both client machines are Windows XP, both "upgraded" to SP2 in the last
few months. There are quite a few services and running tasks different
on the two machines, but looking in detail I can't see which could cause
the issue. Most of the additional ones on the dev laptop are nothing to
do with networking. I've physically uninstalled the CISCO VPN software
that used to exist on my machine - and I know this uninstall is complete
because the same software was on the kid's PC until being uninstalled
very recently.

I know of issues with early SP2 releases causing networking problems
(one of the reasons I didn't install until I had to), and I've seen
references on the net to various registry hacks to circumvent these. I
don't know if they apply though.


The router is a netgear DG834 - and I am aware of the issue that you
must re-boot the router if you want to connect using a different
machine. (For those who may not know, If you don't re-boot this router
and try to connect to a VPN from a different machine then you get error
721. Something to do with the NAT cache)

I've talked to the customers' IT support (who are a third party), but
they say I'm the only person with this problem, and won't help by
looking at the server event logs or anything like that, so I'm on my own.


Does anyone have any suggestions?


Desperately yours,


Richard

Hi Robert,

Problem resolved. One of the security settings on my PC was not correct.
Setting it to what it should have been and we were able to connect.

However what this DOESN'T Explain is that the same setting is still
incorrect on the kids' PC, and that IS able to connect. Very odd indeed.

However I now actually have to do the job I am paid for, so much as I'd
like to figure it out what is going on with the VPN, I'd better get on
with it!

Thanks for your help,

Richard



Robert L [MS-MVP] wrote:
> Assuming the login screen asks you username, password and domain name,
> try to uncheck include Windows logon domain under Option of the
> properties of VPN connection. Or type the RRAS host name instead of the
> domain name.
>
> Bob Lin, MS-MVP, MCSE & CNE
> Networking, Internet, Routing, VPN Troubleshooting on
> http://www.ChicagoTech.net
> How to Setup Windows, Network, VPN & Remote Access on
> http://www.HowToNetworking.com
>
> "Richard" <(E-Mail Removed)
> <private.php?do=newpm&u=>> wrote in message
> news:ei$(E-Mail Removed)...
> Hi,
>
> I have a strange and increasingly urgent issue trying to connect to a
> Microsoft PPTP VPN. In short, I can connect through from one client
> machine, but not another; are there any programs or system processes
> which are known to interfere with the login process on the MS VPN?
>
> The VPN is a PPTP VPN into my customer site. Set up using the standard
> MS wizard, with the only change from the default configuration being to
> uncheck the "use default gateway on local network".
>
> Using my kids' PC(!) I can connect through no problem, using my
> development laptop I can make the initial connection, then get repeated
> requests for the login information, before the system gives up and
> throws error 649. This is a red herring, as the authentication
> information is the same in both cases (Local user name and password on
> the remote machine).
>
>
> Both client machines are Windows XP, both "upgraded" to SP2 in the last
> few months. There are quite a few services and running tasks different
> on the two machines, but looking in detail I can't see which could
> cause
> the issue. Most of the additional ones on the dev laptop are nothing to
> do with networking. I've physically uninstalled the CISCO VPN software
> that used to exist on my machine - and I know this uninstall is
> complete
> because the same software was on the kid's PC until being uninstalled
> very recently.
>
> I know of issues with early SP2 releases causing networking problems
> (one of the reasons I didn't install until I had to), and I've seen
> references on the net to various registry hacks to circumvent these. I
> don't know if they apply though.
>
>
> The router is a netgear DG834 - and I am aware of the issue that you
> must re-boot the router if you want to connect using a different
> machine. (For those who may not know, If you don't re-boot this router
> and try to connect to a VPN from a different machine then you get error
> 721. Something to do with the NAT cache)
>
> I've talked to the customers' IT support (who are a third party), but
> they say I'm the only person with this problem, and won't help by
> looking at the server event logs or anything like that, so I'm on my
> own.
>
>
> Does anyone have any suggestions?
>
>
> Desperately yours,
>
>
> Richard