Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of browser does Easy Chat Server support?
It supports IE(Internet Explorer), Netscape, Mozilla, Opera, etc.

Do I need to install IIS or Apache first?
No, Easy Chat Server is a chat server software that can run individually and you needn't install any HTTP server (IIS/Apache/Pws/Tomcat/etc) on your computer.

Does Easy Chat Server require Java to be installed on my computer or user's computers?
No, Easy Chat Server is written with fast c++ and does not need java support. Your users only need a web browser, no extra software.

I was running IIS on my computer, can I run this program on the same computer too?
Yes, of course. You may change the default Port Number of this program.

When I first attempted to use it the error message 'Error starting the Web Server.This may be due to another service running on the port...' occurs. What do you consider a valid port number?
Any port number from 1 to 65535 could be valid. But it seems that other program has already used the default port 80 on your computer. So you must choose another port number. Such as 81, 808, 2000, 5060, etc. Just change it on the option page and click the 'restart' button again.

Why my friends cannot see the web page through internet?
First, please connect to internet before you run this program, then check if your friend's computer can access your computer directly. Tell your friend to ping the IP address of your computer. Please tell him to open a ms-dos command window. Then type 'ping 169.254.123.179' and then press the 'enter' key. we suppose 169.254.123.179 is the internet IP address of your PC. If your friend can only see 'Request timed out' on his computer, it means that your friend cannot access your computer directly at all. There could be a firewall software on your computer, which blocks all outside requests. Please configure the firewall to enable the port number of Easy Chat Server or allow Easy Chat Server to respond outside requests.

For example: If you use ZoneAlarm as your firewall, you need to add Easy Chat Server to the programs list of ZoneAlarm and set the permission for Easy Chat Server to allow all:

1. Select Program Control|Programs.
2. Click the Add button and select "efsws.exe".
3. Click the permission symbol you want to change, then select Allow from the shortcut menu. Allow all for Easy Chat Server.

For Windows XP user:
There is a Internet connection firewall on the Windows XP system. By default it is disabled. But it may be enabled so outside requests may be blocked by the firewall. To disable the Internet connection firewall of Windows XP, please follow these steps: 1) Open Network Connections (Click Start, click Control Panel, and then double-click Network Connections.) 2) Click the Dial-up, LAN or High-Speed Internet connection, and then, under Network Tasks, click Change settings of this connection. 3) On the Advanced tab, under Internet Connection Firewall, clear the Protect my computer and network by limiting or preventing access to this computer from the Internet check box.

Then please try again.

I'm using Easy Chat Server on a LAN, my colleagues can visit my URL, but my friends cannot visit it through internet.
Because you IP address can just work on your LAN, it's not an internet IP address, so others outside from the internet cannot visit your web site. To let them visit your computer, please make your computer connect to internet directly via a modem, ISDN, ADSL and so on. Otherwise, you need to redirect the port on your LAN internet server with some TCP/IP port redirectors such as PortTunnel.

How do I install Easy Chat Server behind a router?
You need to forward requests from the router on port 80(or the port you use) to the computer ip running Easy Chat Server (192.168.0.11 in this case).
If your computer's INTERNAL IP is 192.168.0.11, tell your router to set this address as the DMZ and set a virtual server to port 80 (suppose that you set port 80 for Easy Chat Server) at this address, then people outside can access your files. But you can't tell 192.168.0.11 to your friends directly because it is a LAN IP address. You should tell an internet IP address to your friends so they can access your files on the internet. To find the internet IP address of your computer, please visit: http://www.whatismyip.com/
For more information, please read the user manual of your router to learn how to configure it. Each router has its own configuration method and this configuration method is often called 'Port Forwarding'.

Settings for popular hardware routers :
Asante: http://www.asante.com/support/routerguide/advanced/firewall-distservers.html
DLink: http://support.dlink.com/faq/search.asp?question=configure%20port%20forward
Linksys: http://kb.linksys.com/cgi-bin/om_isapi.dll?QuestionText=KB10934020&infobase=linksysrev.nfo&record={1E}&softpage=IKW_ENU_JDocView

Is there a version for Unix or Linux?
No, Easy Chat Server currently can only run on Windows system, however, from a client side, it is available to any Windows, Mac, Linux or Unix environment.

Must my computer be on-line?
Yes. Otherwise your friends cannot connect to your computer and chat with you.

What is the largest file size that I can upload to Easy Chat Server?
It is not limited to file size.

Do I need a domain for Easy Chat Server?
No, you don't have to. Just tell the IP Address of your computer to your friends. We also provide a free dynamic DNS service for Dynmaic IP address users. You can also register a dynamic domain at www.dyndns.org.

How can I disable guest login?
To disable guest login, just clear the 'enable guest to login' checkbox on 'edit room' dialog.

I don't want to let guest register, what should I do?
To disable user registration, just clear the 'enable guest to register a new account' checkbox on 'options' panel.

I have more questions - what should I do?
Please send your questions to support@echatserver.com.