Network Configuration Problem: Windows Remote Assistance / Easy Connect Option Not Available
I have two desktop computers, both with Windows 7 Home Premium, both with all updates installed. The router is a new Netgear WNDR3700. One of the computers seems to have a network configuration problem. I discovered this when I tried to use Windows Remote Assistance to help someone set up a new computer. I was going to use Windows Remote Assistance with Easy Connect, because there was no email set up on the new computer. We were able to start the connection from the remote computer, but I could not start it up on my computer. Initially the Easy Connect option was available, but it opened up a troubleshooter window. After a few attempts to use it, the option is grayed out. I tried it on my other computer and it works, so there must be a problem on this computer. I'm assuming the problem is caused by a network configuration problem, but I'm not sure where to look. I compared the windows firewall settings and they seem pretty similar. The computer with the problem does not seem to have IPV6 working so perhaps that is a good place to start?
January 16th, 2011 2:05pm

I've looked into this further. I tried running the Microsoft Internet Connectivity Evaluation Tool. It reported a problem with UPnP, but that works fine on the computer for other applications such as uTorrent. Are there any troubleshooting tools that check for IPV6 functionality?
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January 18th, 2011 1:50am

Hi, I would like to tell that this function depends on the Network environment. Note this issue might occur if the below criteria are not met. 1. Both computers aren't running Windows 7. In order to use Easy Connect with Remote Assistance, both of the computers must be running Windows 7. 2. Access to the Internet is limited. If access to the Internet is limited on either computer, Easy Connect is disabled. Internet access might be limited if you’re on a corporate network. 3. Your router doesn't support Easy Connect. Easy Connect uses the Peer Name Resolution Protocol to transfer the Remote Assistance invitation over the Internet. You can check your router by using the Internet Connectivity Evaluation Tool on the Microsoft website. If you're running Windows Server, you need to install the Peer Name Resolution Protocol. Also, there is a similar thread for your reference. http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/w7network/thread/2892c0e8-1784-47e6-871f-82ad567d6491 Please remember to click Mark as Answer on the post that helps you, and to click Unmark as Answer if a marked post does not actually answer your question. This can be beneficial to other community members reading the thread.
January 19th, 2011 3:45am

Thank you for the reply. As I explained in the original post. I have several computers on my network, all running Windows 7, all hanging off the same router. On a couple of them, I can initiate a remote assistance session using easy connect. On others I cannot. I'm trying to figure out why this is the case. In theory, easy connect should be a great tool for helping remote users on computers which do not have email set up. In practice, if easy connect doesn't work, it doesn't help much. I would like to try and figure out why it works on one computer and not on another, even when they are side by side on the same router. I ran the test, but I am skeptical about the result that UPnP does not work, as UPnP is enabled and works fine for other applications. (This is a new high-end router, not a cheap old router.) How can I tell if something is preventing PNRP from working?
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January 20th, 2011 2:44am

Hi, First, please make sure both computers are in the same subnet and temporarily disable the firewall. Then see whether UPnP Device Host services and Peer Name Resolution Protocol are started in the Service Manager. Additional troubleshooting steps are listed below…. Netsh p2p pnrp cloud dump Netsh p2p pnrp cloud flush Netsh int teredo dump Netsh int 6to4 dump If all else fails, you may consider of Invitation File Method or use the IP address. Please remember to click “Mark as Answer” on the post that helps you, and to click “Unmark as Answer” if a marked post does not actually answer your question. This can be beneficial to other community members reading the thread. ”
January 20th, 2011 9:47pm

Thank you for your reply. Both computers are on the same router. There is only one subnet. I disabled the firewall. The first time I tried to start a windows remote assistance session, the easy connect option was selectable. Maybe after some time it becomes selectable again? Even though it was selectable, it did not work. I got the same message as before that said Easy Connect is not available. Here is the output you requested from the commands: --BEGIN-- Microsoft Windows [Version 6.1.7600] Copyright (c) 2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. C:\Users\Daryl>netsh p2p pnrp cloud dump C:\Users\Daryl>netsh p2p pnrp cloud flush The syntax supplied for this command is not valid. Check help for the correct sy ntax. Usage: flush [cloud=]<cloud name> Parameters: cloud - The cloud whose cache entries should be flushed. Remarks: Flushes all Cache entries. Examples: flush Global_ C:\Users\Daryl>netsh int teredo dump # ---------------------------------- # Teredo Configuration # ---------------------------------- pushd interface teredo set state type=client servername=teredo.ipv6.microsoft.com. servervirtualip=0.0. 0.0 popd # End of Teredo configuration C:\Users\Daryl>netsh int 6to4 dump # ---------------------------------- # 6to4 Configuration # ---------------------------------- pushd interface 6to4 reset popd # End of 6to4 configuration C:\Users\Daryl> --END--
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January 22nd, 2011 6:23pm

I did some testing. I bypassed my router and connected the PC directly to the ADSL modem. I was able to access easy connect. It appears my router is causing the problem.
January 27th, 2011 1:42am

Netgear released updated firmware for my router so it now works properly.
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February 6th, 2011 11:18pm

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