Windows XP Firewall

Microsoft's Service Pack 2 for Windows XP includes security settings that may affect your Collect! server. By default, there is a new firewall component that may block access between your workstations and your server. If you have installed XP Service Pack 2, the following steps will help to ensure that your Collect! continues to run reliably.

After installing SP2, the first time you run the CV11 Server, Windows will prompt you to decide if you would like to block access to the rds.exe, or not.

Windows Security Alert For RDM Server

When you see this warning, select the UNBLOCK button and this will allow your workstations to access Collect! as they normally do.

The first time you start the Web Host, Windows will prompt you to decide if you would like to block access to the CV11.exe (in Web Host mode), or not.

Windows Security Alert For Web Host

Web Host uses the CV11.exe with Web Host command line arguments, that is why you are asked to unblock CV11.

When you see this warning, select the UNBLOCK button and this will allow you to run Web Host as you normally do.

If you selected the KEEP BLOCKING button, you will run into complications. To remedy this, you can unblock the service as follows.

1. Select START on your Windows toolbar and then select Settings from the choices that display. This will display further choices.

2. Select Control Panel and then select Windows Security Center from the choices that are displayed for you.

3. Next, select Windows Firewall and then select the tab labeled Exceptions. Ensure that rds and CV11 are listed in the exceptions and that they have a check mark next to them, as shown below.


Windows Firewall Exceptions

As mentioned above, Web Host uses the CV11.exe with Web Host command line arguments, that is why you see CV11 listed here.

These steps should enable you to use Collect! without hindrance with the Windows Firewall. The settings shown here will not affect the Windows Firewall settings for any other programs, just Collect! Web Host and the CV11 Server.