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VPN Error 800 Windows 7 laptop with Windows Server 2003

I've got a Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit edition laptop trying to connect via VPN to a Windows Server 2003 and am getting the VPN Error 800. I set this connection up for the user while he was at a temporary location and it was working fine. When the user returned to his home, the connection no longer worked. Here are the troubleshooting steps I've done so far.

I am able to ping the VPN IP address from the laptop with no problems.
I have setup a second VPN connection to another server from the laptop and was able to connect. This second server was SBS 2008.
I have setup the VPN connection on my computer with that user's credentials and am able to connect without a problem.
I followed the troubleshooting steps in the link below and that didn't help.
http://www.chicagotech.net/VPN/win7vpn1.htm
I have restarted the server & laptop.
I have tried to configure a second VPN username and password from the same Server 2003 on the laptop and was not able to connect.

I would love some insight. Thanks.

SupermanTB

ASKER

I've also just tried setting up the connection on another Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit laptop and was successful.

The problem laptop does not have any firewall software other than the built-in windows firewall. It uses AVG antivirus. I have tried disabling the Windows firewall and still have the same issue.

Qlemo

The second W7 laptop has been located at "his" home, too?

VPN error 800 is one of few which almost always results from GRE issues. GRE is an own IP protocol, using no ports, and can be really difficult to maintain when both parties are behind a NAT device. I neither is directly connected to the Internet?
Further, each Windows (Server) release introduced new bugs and solution to the GRE problem. That is why it might work with 2008, but not 2003, in a particular setup.

SupermanTB

ASKER

The second W7 laptop is at a different location. Both devices are connected to the internet through a router. The laptop, most likely through a standard Linksys wireless router and the server is behind SonicWall TZ170.

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

Qlemo

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mark1208

Agree with Qlemo here ... I'd remove NAT and the Linksys router from the equation first. Can you duplicate the issue if the Win7 "home" laptop is attached directly to its DSL/cable connection?

Happy troubleshooting! :)
-Mark

SupermanTB

ASKER

I'll connect the laptop directly to the cable modem and see how that goes.

mark1208

Hi Superman ... just checking back in to see how the direct-connect/non-router test turned out. Any update? :)

Thanks,
Mark

SupermanTB

ASKER

I"m waiting to hear back from the user. Hopefully I should hear back this morning. A quick question in the meantime....I don't see how it could be a problem w/ the Linksys device if I was able to successfully connect to the other VPN from that same laptop?

Qlemo

"Further, each Windows (Server) release introduced new bugs and solution to the GRE problem. That is why it might work with 2008, but not 2003, in a particular setup."

That should explain that is makes a difference where you connect from, to and what is in-between.

SupermanTB

ASKER

Interesting....I should be hearing back from the user later this afternoon. Thanks everyone.

SupermanTB

ASKER

The Linksys router proved to be the problem. I was able to connect immediately when bypassing the router. I then reconnected to the router and upgraded to the latest firmware version and presto, worked like a charm. Learn something new everyday.