client doesn't work

[patstew9]

every time i start the clien i must force quit it. it finds the server, lists it but never connects. the raindow ball just spins and spins. help. I really want this software to work. any ideas or suggestions.

[dnanian]

You bet. The problem is very likely that you've got the firewall turned on -- either on the client or the server. This means that Rendezvous packets can get through, but communication packets cannot. The result: a beachball, waiting for a (very long) timeout.

The help file has instructions on how to handle this -- go to the Frequently Asked Questions section to find it. To summarize that section:

- To verify the problem, turn the firewall off (use the System Preferences application's Network | Sharing section.

- With the firewall off, verify that you can connect (things should work).

- If you'd like the firewall on, lock down the netTunes server's communication port, using the netTunes Server Preference Pane. Open that port in the firewall.

After following these steps, you should be able to connect!

Hope this helps.

[digitaltvguy]

I don't have the firewall up and see similar issues.

I also see one where a little mini window opens and moves off screen leaving iTunes uncontrollable.

[dnanian]

OK, if you've got a window that moves offscreen, let me recommend that you delete the com.shirtpocket.nettunes.plist file in ~/Library/Preferences. It sounds like it got corrupted somehow.

Regarding being unable to connect, I've only seen that in two situations: a firewall blocking the actual port on either the client or server (double-check that it's really off), or using a symmetric NAT (such as using one Mac as a base station for another Mac, and running the server on the same Mac).

Any chance you're experiencing either of those?