Connecting by computer name

[TheWings]

Hi, I am having trouble connecting by computer name with UltraVNC (version doesn't matter - I think it is a computer problem not the software). I can connect by the ip, and I can connect by computer name to other computers on our network (home network with 3 computers behind linksys wireless router) but not by name for this one computer.

The computer that I am having trouble with is running xp pro, it does connect very well by ip, but the ip changes every so often so I want to connect by computer name instead. When I do connect by IP, it shows the name + ip address, so the name is being seen by ultravnc but whenever I try to connect it says failed to get server address.

Anybody have any ideas on how to fix this (I know it may be a registry edit but I have no idea where to start looking).

Thanks.

[Sir Nigel]

Usually you need to resolve you dns issues. Can you access the computer in windows explorer (e.g. to transfer files) using it's name? If not, this is probably not vnc issue. Also, if the ip address is changing, can you clarify it you are conecting inside the network, or through the internet?

[xerces8]

Do you have (and use) DNS ?
Does PING by name work ?

It is 99.9% a firewall issue. (on the XP machine)
For test, turn it off. If it works, turn it back on an open the MS network ports (445,139 etc.... it is documented somewhere...)

[redge]

easy solution:

under this condition:
if you have already hardware NAT router including firewall
disable any software firewall

(software firewall and hardware firewall would be Useless) and make more brainstorm for nothing

if you open these port in you internal network there no problem.

TCP 139
TCP 445
UDP 137
UDP 138


but ...if you want use xp windows firewall you must protect it from your external acces (Internet) with a hardware NAT modem/router or hardware firewallmodem/router othervise your are really exposed to hacking, virus more easy.