Fetch Softworks

AOL & My Space FTP Update (9 posts)

• Started 16 years ago by dougstercl
• Latest reply 16 years ago from Scott McGuire

• dougstercl Member

  I've searched AOL's message boards and it seems other members are having problems with their 3rd party FTP clients along with Fetch. AOL is aware of the problem and say they are working on an 'update' for both the Mac/PC platforms. Here is a copy of a member I know from the boards.

  << OK gang... this is what I've found out so far...

  It's not us.. it IS aol... again. I decided to take a short trip around AOL and see if Window users are getting the same thing and they are. It seems a failed AOL software update (on their end) has caused all sorts of FTP and cgi-bin problems.

  The only thing us Mac users can do at the moment besides wait, or use the MyFTP Space area which only allows one file upload/download at a time... is to use the Hometown File Manger at:
  http://hometown.aol.com/_fm/mt.ssp?a=b

  That will allow up to 4 files to be transferred... a smidgeon better than just one I suppose. Someone on the Windows side did contact an AOL rep who said they are aware of the problem and are working on it, but they gave no estimate when things would be put right again.

  I tried various FTP apps to no avail, but I'll continue checking out some tweaks and info. Apparently, the Windows folks do have access to an opensource FTP app that will allow access to AOL with some tweaking. I haven't found anything similar for us Mac people yet... still looking... >>

  I was able to connect to my FTP space using Fetch and could view my files using:

  Host: members.aol.com
  User Name: anonymous
  Connect Using: FTP (SFTP didn't work)
  Password: screenname@aol.com
  Initial Folder: /screenname

  I could view/download files but NOT upload. Received the error:
  'Fetch could not put 'Test.jpg' FTP server incountered and error accessing a file or folder.'

  Here is Fetch's transcript:

  Fetch 5.2.1 (5C263) PowerPC running on Mac OS X 10.4.9 (8R218) PowerPC English
  StuffIt Engine 0x820, StuffIt SDK Version 10.1.1b1
  Partial serial FETCH5X001-K26V-UQ5Q T
  Connecting to members.aol.com port 21 (Mac OS X firewall is off) (10/10/07 10:23:54 AM)
  Connected to 205.188.226.248 port 21 (10/10/07 10:23:55 AM)
  220-Guest logins are "ftp" or "anonymous". Please use your full e-mail
  220-address as the password when accessing the archive as a guest user.
  220-
  220 htmbr-d17.ht.aol.com FTP server (Version wu-2.4(30) Tue Nov 30 11:36:51 EST 2004) ready.
  USER anonymous
  331 Guest login ok, send your complete e-mail address as password.
  PASS
  230-Welcome to our AOL Members' FTP/WWW Site!
  230-
  230-This site is made available for internet users to exchange
  230-files via FTP and access user web pages. Each AOL user has
  230-a disk quota of 2Mb; please respect this limit on uploads.
  230-
  230-You must "cd" to the AOL user's screen name to access their
  230-data. There is no casual browsing of user archives.
  230-
  230-The AOL FTP GUI requires you specify the initial directory
  230-(AOL username) after the "Other Site" name, eg.
  230- members:/username
  230-if you do not wish to be placed in your own directory. The
  230-alias "users" may also be used in place of "members".
  230-
  230-Please read the "/usersFAQ.txt" document for answers to some
  230-frequently asked questions about using this site.
  230-
  230-All transfers are logged. FTP questions or problem reports
  230-should be sent via e-mail to "ftpmaster@aol.com".
  230-
  230-Please Note: The members.aol.com servers will be rebooted on
  230-Sunday mornings at 05:00EST (10:00GMT).
  230-
  230-Thank-you for choosing AOL!
  230-
  230-
  230 Guest login ok, access restrictions apply.
  SYST
  215 UNIX Type: L8
  PWD
  257 "/" is current directory.
  MACB ENABLE
  500 'MACB ENABLE': command not understood.
  CWD /znoz
  250 CWD command successful.
  PWD
  257 "/znoz" is current directory.
  TYPE A
  200 Type set to A.
  PASV
  227 Entering Passive Mode (205,188,226,248,179,11)
  Making data connection to 205.188.226.248 port 45835
  LIST -al
  150 Opening ASCII mode data connection for ..
  total 228
  drwxrwxr-x 5 aolftp aolftp 4096 Oct 10 12:46 .
  drwxr-xr-x 3 root other 4096 Oct 3 1999 ..
  -rw-rw-r-- 1 aolftp aolftp 33842 Feb 13 2002 GoldenSurfer.gif
  lrwxrwxrwx 1 root aolftp 13 May 8 2005 README -> /usersFAQ.txt
  -rw-rw-r-- 1 aolftp aolftp 106523 Feb 13 2002 Wipeout.mov
  -rw-rw-r-- 1 aolftp aolftp 10093 Feb 13 2002 bighits.gif
  -rw-rw-r-- 1 aolftp aolftp 523 Apr 10 2004 ftptest.txt
  drwxrwxrwx 2 aolftp aolftp 4096 Oct 9 18:23 incoming
  -rw-rw-r-- 1 aolftp aolftp 703 Dec 18 2004 index.html
  -rw-rw-r-- 1 aolftp aolftp 19901 Oct 8 16:58 memers.aol.com
  -rw-rw-r-- 1 aolftp aolftp 18975 Oct 8 16:54 pictures
  drwxrwx--x 2 aolftp aolftp 4096 Mar 22 1997 private
  drwxrwxr-x 2 aolftp aolftp 4096 Oct 3 1999 znoz
  226 Transfer complete.
  TYPE I
  200 Type set to I.
  PASV
  227 Entering Passive Mode (205,188,226,248,179,53)
  Making data connection to 205.188.226.248 port 45877
  STOR TestPix.jpg
  550 Only "incoming" directories are guest writable.
  ftp_store_setup: 2,-30004 (state == PUT_SETTING_UP)
  ABOR
  221 You could at least say goodbye.
  QUIT
  send_cmd():con_conn->Putline() returns 2,-50
  Update check skipped at 10/10/2007 10:25 AM (next check after 10/16/2007 05:32 AM)

  I apologise for the lengthy post, but hope it helps. Also I found the password for my original User Name for Fetch's boards. I hope it doesn't create a problem.

  -doug

  Posted 16 years ago #

• Scott McGuire Administrator

  Hi Doug,

  Thanks for the informative update.

  Yes, using the same steps you did, I was able to get into our test AOL webspace and see the files, but not upload new files. Unfortunately, as I'm sure you'll agree, that's only of limited use, since usually you want to update stuff!

  We weren't aware of the Hometown File Manager, thanks for the tip.

  Is there a thread on the AOL message board that is being kept up to date with the status of this problem?

  Using two different usernames on the message board isn't a problem, no. (I think that's what you're saying - if I've misunderstood, let me know.)

  Thanks,

  Scott McGuire
  Fetch Softworks

  Posted 16 years ago #

• dougstercl Member

  Hi -Scott,
  I agree, only to view one's space w/in AOL is not a fix. I'm sure it'll get some mainentance work done for the fix.

  Hometown File Manager seems to be used for many folks w/o an FTP client like Fetch.

  There is not a real thread for FTP'ing on the Mac message boards. I just happened to run across a question as to why the FTP 3rd party clients were not working.

  Creating a NEW user name for Fetch's forum was my only option since I could NOT find, at the time, my password for 'dougster'. Many forums will delete one's password/username after a year and I wasn't sure if Fetch had done that. Then I found my notes.
  Yes, you answered my questions.

  Thank you for the help as always,
  -doug

  Posted 16 years ago #

• KRHenke Member

  Like others I have been trying to find a way to upload using Fetch. I have two computers that I use, and found that I was able to upload using one computer using the connection method outlined above. The same method did not work on my second computer. In doing some checking I found that on the computer that worked under Fetch Preferences: Obscure, the box for "Do not send MACB probe command" was unchecked. It was checked on the computer that did not work. When I unchecked the box, I could now upload files.

  I do not know what that did but as of 15 minutes ago it was still working.

  I used to think that to really screw things up it took a computer, now I know it takes a computer and AOL

  Ken Henke

  Posted 16 years ago #

• Scott McGuire Administrator

  Hi Ken,

  Thanks for the tip. Unfortunately, with our test account, I cannot upload, even with "Do not send MACB probe command" unchecked (which is the default setting).

  My unconfirmed suspicion is that AOL has a bunch of servers, most of which do not work correctly with external FTP clients. But there are one or two that has somehow escaped being broken, and every once in a while you'll get lucky and get a working one when you connect. But it doesn't work most of the time...

  Best,

  Scott McGuire
  Fetch Softworks

  Posted 16 years ago #

• KRHenke Member

  I tried again this eveening to upload files and found no problem. I will continue to occasionally monitor the situation.

  Ken Henke

  Posted 16 years ago #

• Scott McGuire Administrator

  Hi Ken,

  When you have been able to connect and upload successfully using Fetch, have you been running the AOL software at the same time?

  Thanks,

  Scott McGuire
  Fetch Softworks

  Posted 16 years ago #

• KRHenke Member

  Sorry for the delay. I have not been checking very often.

  I have been connected to AOL using their software at the time of uploading. My "solution" continues to work for me on my desktop computer. I have not checked it on my laptop, but I assume that it will still work.

  Posted 16 years ago #

• Scott McGuire Administrator

  Hi Ken,

  Thanks for the followup.

  You're correct, with the AOL software running, I can connect and successfully upload to my AOL webspace using the following connection information:

  Host: members.aol.com
  User Name: anonymous
  Connect Using: FTP
  Password: screenname@aol.com

  I'll update our FAQ. Thanks!

  Scott McGuire
  Fetch Softworks

  Posted 16 years ago #