In using a music file sharing program (WinMx), I am told that I
cannot make a primary connection (fastest downloads) because I do not
have a TCP and UDP port. I am running Windows Me.What do I do? Thanks.

Hi,

I don't know that software, but that's not necessary to answer your problem...
You must allow connections to your computer on the ports used by that software... if you're behind a firewall ( or NAT ), it may not be possible to use that feature if you're not allowed to change your network configuration...

Check the product documentation...

Hi, and thank you very much for your swift reply. I'm not in your league here. I'm afraid I didn't understand your post. Could you put it in a step by step or at least more layman-like form? Thanks.

I have used WinMX before. I don't have problems with either of the two connection methods. Are you sure that you are not blocked (say, by your ISP) if you want to make a primary connection? In case of making primary connection, you are connecting directly to WinMX servers, which may be easily blocked. However, for secondary connections you connect to a node that has a primary connection established to the server, which in turn acts as a server for you.

In my experience, the download speed for either mode doesn't really differ much because your download doesn't have to proxy through the primary node. Once the download has started the connection is directly between you and the remote party who shares the files with you. If you can't get primary connection to work you are only left with the secondary connection option.

Thank you. Can anyone tell me how to open the necessary ports? I'd still like to try the primary connection. Thanks.

If you are sure you don't have a firewall in place on your system (like ZoneAlarm or similar products --- you should know if you have indeed installed one yourself. otherwise you don't), then very likely there is a firewall in the middle set by your ISP to block the ports/servers intentionally. There is nothing you can do if this is really the case. As I said, you are only left with the secondary connection option. In fact, WinMX was designed to have this "secondary connection" stuff because the designers know not everyone gets to use "primary connection" successfully for various reasons. Unstable connection, firewall blocking are all examples of reasons for primary connection failures. This is normal and is not necessarily under your control. If primary connection works for you, it should work right after you install it with no extra configuration needed.

If you know you have a firewall, try to disable it. And if this doesn't help, you're out of luck.

Sorry to be so dense, but I think I finally understand. Thanks so much.