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June 17, 2007 07:33 PM

Categories: Networking

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jimi

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Joined: 06/17/2007

I am attempting to remote access my new slingbox tuner, and I'm not able to thus far.

I have a desktop machine, and took it with me to the house where I have my slingbox tuner located.  I followed the instructions in the booklet (i.e. first I connected the cable, then the ethernet cord to the wireless router, then the power), and the power light and network light were on.

I then loaded the software onto my desktop, and ran through the setup.  When I got to the part about allowing remote viewing, I went through that step as well.  Once I was done with that, and once the initial setup once I started SlingPlayer was done, I was able to use slingplayer successfully.

Since then, I drove home with my computer, leaving the slingbox setup at the same location it had been, still connected.  When I hooked my computer back up, I was unable to access my slingbox through slingplayer

I received the Ox8007274C error message, stating "The connection attempt failed.  Make sure the Slingbox you are trying to watch is on, set up for remote viewing, and not blocked by firewall/NAT settings."

I have verified that the slingbox's power light and network light are both solidly lit up and on.  As stated, when installing the software, I went through the steps to allow remote viewing.  So my guess is that it is a firewall or network connection problem.  The main computer at the location where my slingbox tuner is setup is running ZoneAlarm.  I was told that no command prompt is coming up when attempt to connect to my slingbox, asking to be allowed to connect (which I wouldn't know that it would or not, just stating it), and that there appears to be no slingbox option in the allowable devices/programs list (again, I don't know if it should be there or not).  The router is a wireless linksys router, but the main desktop computer and the slingbox at the location are both connected by ethernet cable to the router.

Can anyone help me?  I don't know if I did something wrong, or what.  I really hope that it isn't something that is going to require my physically taking my computer back to the location where the slingbox is.  Was I supposed to install the software on the main computer at the location as well?  Does doing that cause me to be unable to watch it on my desktop remotely (i.e. is the software only allowed to be on one machine)?  I'm really at a loss here.  I don't really know anything about networking, so if this sounds like a network problem, please offer tips if you can.  Thanks!

Discussion:    Add a Comment | Comments 1-18 of 18 | Latest Comment

SlingMaster Avatar
Member
June 17, 2007 9:27 PM

Sounds like the port is being blocked back at the router side.  Are you sure you opened the port on the Router?  You don't say what router you have but you may need to make sure that 5001 is open that is the default port it uses .  Also, make sure you don't have a double NAT issue going on.  Two(2) routers is what I mean by that.  Some DSL and Cable companies may supply the box and it's also a router. 

When you ran setup if you used the wizzard it would have tried to configure the proper port on your router.  It does not always work correctly.  You should be able to access the router and see if an entry is in it for 5001.  If not, then add it. Format depends on the router.    Might look like this......

 SLINGBOX  5001  5001  UDP 192.168.0.199 (Slingbox IP)

Try setup again and when it asks about port setup just answer Manual mode and do it yourself. 

 

Generic Member Avatar
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June 17, 2007 9:53 PM

How do I open a port?

Believe it or not, I really am computer savvy, but networking is something that I've yet to learn.

budman Avatar
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June 17, 2007 10:38 PM

You really need to give us the MODEL numbers of all devices that make up your network - modem, router(s), voip devices, etc..

As slingmaster mentioned - its quite possible you have double nat issue.. But since you have given us nothing to work with, its very hard to even guess.

I would assume your trying to access your slingbox using the finderID vs direct IP, etc.

Just because your local machine could access your sling, does not mean that it was setup to foward the ports thru your router, etc. 

Please do not take this the wrong way, but in this day an age -- if you do not understand the basics of tcp/ip an how a basic home nat router works, etc. -- your not computer savvy.. how to start solitare an excel might of been some useful skills 10 years ago.. ;) 

 

 

Generic Member Avatar
Member
June 18, 2007 7:01 AM

I'll have to check on the model numbers of the devices making up the network.  I'll have to check on the router and the modem, but I know there are no VoIP devices.

Just as a little aside, I'm not really taking this the wrong way, as it is fairly obvious you were trying to talk down to me.  However, simply because I'm not skilled in networking basics doesn't mean that my only skills are Solitaire and Excel.  I just happen to be a software guy, not a hardware guy.  No, clearly I don't know everything about computers, but that doesn't mean that I don't know ANYTHING, nor does it mean that it's necessary for you to attempt to insult a stranger's intelligence simply because they don't know how to open a port.  I was actually 3 and a half years into a BS in Computer Science less than 3 years ago at the number 7 engineering school in the nation (at least according to US News and World News at the time) before I realized I didn't want to debug legacy systems 40 hours a week as a career and then switched to a different major.  However, anyone who has ever really studied computer science knows that it is far more a mathematics field than an engineering field.  The school I went to in particular only had one required class that dealt with hardware, and it was a basic course dealing in logic design.  There was an optional lab, but if you only took the required courses, you'd never actually learn anything truly useful in terms of solving hardware problems.  To go off on an even further tangent, that was actually always my biggest pet peeve was that people assumed that since my degree program had "computer" in the name, I could automatically tell them why their printer suddenly wasn't recognized, or why they could get a laptop to connect to their wireless home network, but not their desktop.

So please, if you could, try and curb your overinflated sense of self for a minute and stick to just trying to offer help, rather than trying to put someone down just because the guys at Geek Squad were able to successfully hook up your slingbox for you.. ;)

budman Avatar
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June 18, 2007 8:26 AM

Guess you have everything you need from me then..

Happy slinging - or not.. No skin off my nose, my sling works ;)

Who needs geed squad -- any 8 year old could setup a sling an look up how to freaking port forward.

Guess your schooling did not cover how to read a manual?? You would think someone that made it thru 3 years at a top engineering school would of figured out how to RTFM by now? You don't have to be so computer savvy :rolleyes: to lookup some info!

I am quite positive that the documentation clearly shows how to forward a port, or for that matter to turn on UPnP.

A simple google

http://www.google.com/search?q=port+f...

Points you to a hold your hand walk thru of doing it for whatever your router model number and application. For example -- here is how to do it on a linksys router wrt54g v5

http://portforward.com/english/router...

the second hit on that search leads to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_for...

Which would give you the basics of what port forwarding is.

Sorry -- but it just ticks me off to no end, people stating they are "savvy" at something.. When its clearly obvious from them posting their question in the first place - they have no freaking clue!  Sorry but in this day an age, it does not take a 4 year BS in computer science to understand basic networking, an IP address, the basics of how a home router works..

Grab the 8 year old from across the street -- they can forward 5001 for you on your router. 

marty13 Avatar
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  • member since: 06/09/2007
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June 18, 2007 8:37 AM

I'm having a similar problem.

I set up my Slingbox AV over the weekend on my desktop running Vista Ultimate.  Works great on the desktop, and I would expect.  I set it up for remote use and allowed the Slingbox's software to configure it for me.  I then read I should open port 5001 for persistent forwarding, so I set up TCP and UPD on my Microsoft MN700 wireless router using what appeared to be the Slingbox's address of 198.168.0.51 which showed on the opening screen of my router's configuration software.   Just in case that's the culprit, where should I be looking for the ID on my LAN for this?  Within the router software, or within SlingPlayer.  I seem to recall a 237 (not positive) instead of 51 when I looked at it in SlingPlayer info.

I then installed SlingPlayer on my laptop which runs WinXP Pro and it connects wirelessly to my router.  It found the Slingbox without any difficulty, and within minutes, I was watching TV out on my deck.

OK, now I'm at my office and trying to connect over the internet.  I see that the SlingBox connection in SlingPlayer now says "Shortcut" instead of "LAN" as of yesterday, but I figured it knew I was now truly remote.

When selecting that connection I receive an error 0x800727D (that's "D", not "C") with the same "connection attempt failed" due to not setting it up for remote viewing correctly, or it's blocked by a firewall/setting.

Anyone have some trouble shooting ideas?

 

Generic Member Avatar
Member
June 18, 2007 10:44 AM

Marty,

I think when browsing the help files and tutorials on the main slingbox website, I saw something about that error.  I apologize for not having a direct link, but I believe it had something to do with setting it up in "compatability mode".  I'm not running Vista myself, but from what the little blurb I read said (if this is the same error), is that it's a pretty quick and painless fix.  Try checking the main slingbox site and looking in the support section.

Budman,

Don't get your panties all in a twist.  My point was simply that while it doesn't take a genius to fix this problem, that doesn't mean that you'd have to be a moron not to already know the answer.  I happen to have never myself needed to setup a network before, and never been connected to one that wasn't already setup and running...sue me.  It's not something I've ever taken any interest in, as it had not been something that I needed to know before.  I wasn't trying to say it takes a BS degree in ANYTHING in order to solve the problem; in fact my point was the opposite, that you can be quite computer literate without knowing everything, even things others consider to be the basics.

What ticks ME off is people like you who think that because they built a computer once, or setup a web page in class before, that they are suddenly gods among men when it comes to computers, and that anyone who doesn't possess every piece of information they themselves already have is a moron, and would be better up packing their computer back up and sending it back to the store.  Give me a break.

But just so I don't harm anyone else's fragile little egos, let me rephrase what I meant.  I am by no means computer illiterate, so don't be afraid to use technical terms when offering help.  However, I am very much a beginner when it comes to networking, and I have never setup a network before.

marty13 Avatar
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June 18, 2007 10:58 AM

Jumi:

I saw that, but I'm not having problems running the SlingBox on my home desktop, which is Vista Ultimate.  I'm trying to run it remotely using a laptop with WinXP Pro.  WinXP Pro doesn't have the limitation for Admin rights.

So, it's not the software on my home desktop from what I can gather.  Instead, it must be some setting on my home desktop.  That is, unless SlingPlayer runs at home while I'm trying to access SlingBox remotely.  I'm not sure if that makes sense since the software is on my laptop and trying to access hardware.

This is a PITA to trouble shoot since I can connect while at home, and it goes over the wireless LAN.  When I'm not near LAN, and trying remotely, I cannot.  So, I can't even play around and try to debug this problem.

Generic Member Avatar
Member
June 18, 2007 1:09 PM

marty,

My bad, I misread what you had stated.  That does sound very much like the problem I am having, save for the fact that I've only installed the software on my remote connection, and don't have a local machine with the software installed.

Generic Member Avatar
Member
June 18, 2007 1:39 PM

double post

skiswm Avatar
Member
June 18, 2007 5:33 PM

a few things don't make sense here.  you don't need to use another computer to run your sling.  sling is basically a computer in itself.  that's why you need to open the port in the router.  if you look up your brand of router and then find out how to open up ports you'll be fine.  sadly every router is different so it's hard for anyone to help you until all the info is here. until you get the port open and verify you are only using 1 router you won't be able to view. i am pretty sure once you figure out how to open a port you be amazed at how easy it is.  best advice, if you get lost call the router manufacutre up directly and ask for help in "port forwarding."  i think you are both confused in that you think you need a "host" computer, you don't sling just needs an internet connection and a router to operate. there really doesn't even need to be a computer on the local network, outside of using it to set up sling the 1st time. 

 

hope that helps out..........

Slingbox Pro Slinging Comcast cable and HD via Comcast HSI using AirLink Powerline adapters; Slingbox Classic Slinging Sunddenlink Cable and D* HR21 via Sunddenlink HSI, using Linksys Gaming adapter. 2 Slingcatchers set up to use both Slings.

marty13 Avatar
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June 18, 2007 5:57 PM

skiswm said:

a few things don't make sense here.  you don't need to use another computer to run your sling.  sling is basically a computer in itself. 

I agree with you.  A computer need not be connected or even in to use SlingBox!

But..... 

I'm still getting an error that something is blocking it.

In my router, I see the address of Slingbox as .51.  Yet, when I look at Properties Information in SlingMedia, I see it *may* be .237.  So I changed the Port Forwarding tonight to .237, and we'll see what happens when I get to the office tomorrow.  Should it have any number entered at all for the final digits of the IP?  Or should it take on the SlingBox IP, or the router's ID of the Slingbox IP?

 

 

SlingMaster Avatar
Member
June 18, 2007 6:09 PM

If you let it default durring setup then the IP will be X.X.X.237  (like 192.168.0.237)  Unless you gave it a specfic IP to be.  On the toolbar under slingbox then properties you will see a tab that say info.  Your IP addy will be there along with the port it is trying to use. 

Find in your router where ports are set and set the port as follows. (should be under something called applications or port forwarding or both)  

Below is what is used for my linksys using dd-wrt software.

Applicatiom = SLINGBOX  (just a name of the rule)

Start = 5001 

End =  5001 

Protocol = UDP

IP Address X.X.X.237  (of Sling)

Enable = yes (you may have a check box for this.

Save the rule.  You may need to reboot the router.   

Post back if you still have issues.   And don't mind all the negative stuff people say.  Maybe they just had a bad day or forgot they were once new to this game.  

 

 

skiswm Avatar
Member
June 18, 2007 6:12 PM

first make sure you have it set for a static ip, if you let it go to dhcp you'll always have problems becuase the internal ip will bounce around, secondly as stated make sure you check the box next to the port fowarding.  you can set up the rule, but if the box isn't checked it will never know you want to use the rule you set up. 

Slingbox Pro Slinging Comcast cable and HD via Comcast HSI using AirLink Powerline adapters; Slingbox Classic Slinging Sunddenlink Cable and D* HR21 via Sunddenlink HSI, using Linksys Gaming adapter. 2 Slingcatchers set up to use both Slings.

Generic Member Avatar
Member
June 19, 2007 6:44 AM

I too know that you don't need a host computer.  I was just worried that I had misunderstood that, and wanted confirmation of it.  I did, however, want to also make sure that if there was a computer on the local network that my sling is connected to, specifically if that computer is an ICS host, that I didn't need it installed on that computer as well.  It didn't sound like I did, but I wanted to verify that with people who had first hand experience with it.

From what people have said, it looks like I just need to make sure the sling has a static ip, and that I set up an open port.

What kind of security issues are there with opening a port in this manner?

Also, what, if any, obstacles are presented if the ICS host has a firewall?

Generic Member Avatar
Member
June 21, 2007 6:20 PM

I have been trying for months to connect to my sb from work...(I can connect everywhere else)...I have tried changing ports etc but can't connect from work. They must be blocking 2001...i tried 80 and others still ng

I recently installed a tv tuner in my home pc and downloaded orb.com, and i can now watch all my cable channels at work streaming from orb...total cost was $80.00 for the tv tuner...I'll stay with this till i stumble upon a fix..or sell my sb

Pete 

c

marty13 Avatar
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June 23, 2007 3:04 PM

Orb.com seems interesting, and maybe I'll try it.  A 'free' download?  I also haven't noticed any cost to use it yet, but there's got to be something missing there.  Nothing in life is free these days.

Anyway, I think my problem is purely the firewall at my office.  I gave my daughter the thumb drive version of SlingPlayer and a text file with the Finder ID for her to copy and paste it when she runs it.  I changed the PW for a one-time use, and asked her to try to use it.  Went off without a hitch, so I now know my SB is set up properly for remote use.  I just can't use it from my office which is a real PITA.

I saw other workarounds to be able do a direct IP access and found my home IP address using whatismyip.com, and found it quite different than I expected.  I may get around to experimenting with this one of these days.

I'm out of town a couple days this coming week, and will try to access from the hotel.  That will be the proof of whether it works, and how well.  I'm frequently in Montreal, and when there, there's hardly 1 or 2 channels I can watch since I don't understand French and even on the radio, I can't find English channels.  That's one of the main reasons I bought the SB!  I also go to Jamaica frequently, and I can never really find out what's going on in my home town without having something like an SB for the local news.

 

Generic Member Avatar
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  • member since: 06/23/2007
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June 23, 2007 7:13 PM

Need Help Please! How do i remotely access my sling box from Dubai. My sling box is in Dallas texas and i cant connect. I am not very Pc literate so if i could get step by step instructions that would be great...

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