can't copy/paste to/from ftp

I dont understand your question... The basic functions of ftp are upload/download and to create/delete folders all of which you can do.  What exactly are you trying to copy and paste?

probably a simple rights problem on the ftp folder...

upload/ download is pretty much a copy and paste from one system to another.  Please don't get wrapped up in such trivial things.  Either way I CAN'T upload or download.  I don't think it is a rights problem.  I have Everyone full control and it works fine inside the network.  I am wondering if the ISP could be blocking something.

Everyone does not include anonymous users for instance, do you have pbs with all of them?
The ISP can block certains ports for sure

Even the domain admin can't do it.  I have tried coming in on different public ip's to different servers on simple ftp sites set up from scratch.  I have set up many ftp sites at many different locations.  I have had One Communications block ftp and a Verizon Fios supplied router not allow ftp at all, but never allowing me to connect but not get or put data.  I am going to see if XO communications has changed anything.

Okay.  I did discover someone set up a Filezilla ftp server that I was not aware of.  That is how ftp constantly goes to the same folder.  No matter, the new site I set up on a different server shouldn't be affected by that.  I admit I am not overly familiar with command port and data port and with active and passive mode.  I will have to research these a little.  I will back on site Tuesday to look into this further.  I will let you know.  The firewall is what I have been thinking but I wasn't sure what to look at beyond port 21.  Thanks.

Update.  I have figure out how to use the Filezilla ftp server (and I like it by the way).  I also have another ftp site set up in IIS on another server.  Both work internally.  Both have the same issue externally.  I can upload but can't download or delete.  I set my firewall (temporarily and not advised) to allow all traffic from anywhere to anywhere.  Wide open.  Both of them stil do not work.  I am back to my thought of the ISP making a change.  The tech I spoke with at XO didn't sound like he was certain of what we were talking about.  The big thing is that nothing changed when this stopped working.  What else could it be?

delete is weird as it does not need the data port, just the command one 21. and if the provider does something, it can only be a port blocked, not a port command ftpwise. any other provider line available?

Spoke with XO support again.  They say they are not blocking anything.  I am about out of ideas.  The location of the building does not allow for another provider at the moment.  I just had Comcast do a site survey.  They had a power outage a few weeks ago and needed to reboot some servers to get things working.  Maybe my Netscreen is damaged?  Maybe I will backup the config and load it on another device and try that out.  One other thought.  The line is half a T-1 for data.  It is painfully slow.  Could bandwidth be an issue?  I did set up webdav and it worked successfully.

firewall damaged? very unlikely... and firewall off did not do anythig good. bandwidth issue= no.
when you issue a delete command, do you get an error msg for the ftp service in the event viewer? (idea=command would be rejected according to the source ip or something like that)

Tried ftp from command line.  When doing a 'dir' received a '500 invalid port command'.  It would also disconnect me and I needed to reconnect often.  I have stumbled across a post where a user had a very similar issue.  He updated the firmware in his router and it fixed it.  I am replacing it tomorrow.  We'll see.

brought a new firewall.  Connected to XO's cisco and the link goes up and down.  I give up.  I am looking into a 3rd party solution.  Thanks for all the help.