Unable to Connect to an ftp Server with an ftp Client

First Try Connecting Using The DOS Prompt.

* with each of the commands below don't forget to hit the enter key after typing in the command to execute the command.

1) Click start / programs / accessories / ms-dos prompt

2) At the dos prompt type:

ftp host address name (ie: it could be something like members.home.net) you should then have a flashing underscore bar in front of a colon sign (then type in)

your user name (this is the part of your email address that's before your @ symbol) (next type in)

your password (at the password: prompt) (next type in)

pwd (at the ftp> prompt) This should tell you which folder (or subdirectory) you're in. (then type in)

ls (this is like the DOS dir command and should list or display the files that are in your folder) (then type in)

quit (this will end your ftp session) (then type in)

exit (this will close your DOS prompt session window)

If That Worked Then The FTP Server is Working and Can Accept Files From You; Next Try Passing Files Without Your FTP Client.

1) Open your browser (internet explorer or netscape) and then type, in the address area at the top, where the web page addresses show up, "ftp://your user name:your password@your ftpserver's host address/" without the quotes. The host address should be something like: members.home.net. It may look different though. If there are any files in the folder you should see them now.

2) Next open a copy of windows explorer. Click start / windows / accessories / and you will find it at the bottom. Or in some versions of windows you will see windows explorer, at the bottom of the drop down,  before click on accessories.

3) Size the two windows side by side so that you can see both windows explorer and your browser. You can drag each window by left clicking on the, usually blue, strip at the top of the window and moving it without letting up on the left mouse button. An easier way, is to right click on the bar at the very bottom of your screen and then choose: Tile Windows Vertically. This should throw the two windows side by side. If it doesn't work just move them manually and resize them by dragging on the bottom right corners of each screen.

4) Then, in the windows explorer window find the local files that you wish to copy to the ftp server. After you have found them click once on one of the files to highlight it. Choose edit on the top bar of windows explorer, then select all. Next you can copy the files in a number of ways. One way I prefer is to right click and, without letting up on the right mouse button, drag and drop all of the files into the open area on the other window you have open. It will then give you the option to copy, move or create a shortcut. You will want to choose copy so that you will retain a copy of them locally. A less difficult way is to just right click on them, after they've all been highlighted, and choose copy. Then right click on the other window, on the ftp server / browser window, and choose paste. Either way will work.