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Fetch Icon Fetch Help > Using Fetch > Solving problems with connecting

Using the suggestions below, you can solve some of the most common problems you may have connecting to a server; if they don't help, contact Fetch support for further assistance.

  1. I don't know or I've forgotten my hostname, username, or password.
  2. I received an error saying "login incorrect", "rejected password," or "server cannot be found," but I know that I entered the correct hostname, username, and password.
  3. I can connect successfully, but the file list never appears, or I get an error after connecting.
I don't know or I've forgotten my hostname, username, or password.
You should contact the company or person that operates the server to which you are trying to connect, and verify the hostname, username, and password you should use. If you are trying to upload webpages, usually this means you should contact the web hosting provider that you have signed up with or your Internet service provider. See the What do I enter in the hostname, username, and password fields? help topic for more information.
Fetch Softworks is not a hosting provider — we do not run or maintain servers for customers, so we do not have access to the information you need to use to connect. We just make Fetch, software that lets you move files from your Macintosh to servers run by other companies or people.
I received an error saying "login incorrect", "rejected password," or "server cannot be found," but I know that I entered the correct hostname, username, and password.
If you receive an error like this when trying to connect to a server that you've previously connected to successfully, usually this indicates a problem with the server. You should contact the company or person who runs the server to have them look into the problem.
If they confirm that there is not a problem with the server, verify your hostname, username, and password with them, and then double-check what you've entered in the New Connection dialog or the shortcut.
You may receive an error saying your password is incorrect even if the real problem is that you entered the incorrect hostname or username, or the server is experiencing problems.
Fetch is not involved in deciding whether your password is correct or not; Fetch sends what you type as your password to the server, and either the server says the password is okay, and allows Fetch to connect; or the server rejects the password and sends back an error message, which Fetch then reports to you.
I can connect successfully, but the file list never appears, or I get an error after connecting.
There are several things to try to resolve this problem.
First, toggle the Use passive mode transfers (PASV) preference:
  1. Go to the Fetch menu and choose Preferences.
  2. Click the General tab.
  3. If the Use passive mode transfers (PASV) checkbox is checked, uncheck it; if it is checked, uncheck it.
  4. Try connecting again.
If that doesn't help, next try turning off the Mac OS X firewall temporarily if it is on. Follow the appropriate directions below, depending on which version of Mac OS X you are using.

Mac OS X 10.6 or later
  1. Open the Mac OS X System Preferences.
  2. Click the Security icon.
  3. Click the Firewall tab.
  4. If the preferences say "Firewall On," click the Stop button. (You may need to first click the lock icon in the lower left of the window and enter your Mac OS X password to make this change.)
  5. Try connecting again.

Mac OS X 10.5

  1. Open the Mac OS X System Preferences.
  2. Click the Security icon.
  3. Click the Firewall tab.
  4. If the Allow only essential services button is selected, select Set access for specific services and applications instead.
  5. Try connecting again.
  6. If that does not help, return to the Firewall preferences, and select the Allow all incoming connections button.
  7. Try connecting again.
If you find the only way to connect successfully is to change your firewall settings, you may want to contact Fetch support for further advice.
If that doesn't help, or the firewall was already off, finally try toggling the Use 'LIST -al' command to reveal hidden files preference:
  1. Go to the Fetch menu and choose Preferences.
  2. Click the Miscellaneous tab.
  3. If the Use 'LIST -al' command to reveal hidden files checkbox is checked, uncheck it; if it is checked, uncheck it.
  4. Try connecting again.

See the following help topics for more information about connecting in Fetch: