Configuring the Microsoft Windows XP Firewall for use with the Ringtone Converter

Users of Windows XP may need to configure the Windows XP firewall if they have it enabled on their PC in order to use the Ringtone Converter to transfer polyphonic ringtones and pictures.

Why do I need to change the firewall settings?

The firewall is designed to stop outside computers from accessing content on your PC.  

In order for your phone to talk to your PC,  you need to tell the firewall that this is acceptable,  and how the phone will be talking to your computer.

What do I need to do?

Fortunately Microsoft have made the process quite easy.  All you need to do is:

1. Click the 'Start' button and select 'Control Panel'

2. Click on 'Network and Internet Connections'

3. Click on 'Network Connections'

4. Locate the connection with the firewall (usually your dial up connection with 'Firewalled' written below it.

5. Right click on this connection and select 'Properties'.  A new window will appear.

6. On this window click 'Advanced' then select 'Settings' at the bottom of the window.

7. Finally select 'Web Server (HTTTP)' to allow your PC to act as a Web or Wap server.

You may be asked to enter the name or IP address of the PC,  and the ports.  These should be left as their default settings (usually port 80).

Why do I need to make the changes at all?

If you do not make the changes,  as soon as your phone tries to talk to your PC,  the firewall software will tell it to go away.  Usually the phone does not understand this and returns a bad content type or gateway error.

By allowing the firewall to pass through the requests to the Ringtone Converter software you should be able to download ringtones and pictures sucessfully.

What about other firewall software (eg Norton or ZoneAlarm).

The same basic principles apply,  ie you must allow your phone to talk to your PC,  however Norton and similar packages usually detect your phone is trying to talk to your pc,  or the Polyphonic Wizard is trying to open a port,  and ask you what you want to do.

You should select 'permit' to allow your PC to listen for your phone,  and for your phone to talk to your PC.

Samsung A460 specific issues

If you have a Samsung A460 please ensure you are using version 4.7 or later of the Ringtone Converter as it requires some specific additional file handling that is not included in earlier versions.