Can't direct connect to... Well, most people.

Question

First off: Intel iMac, OS 10.4.7.
I think it may be only AIM users, but I can not seem to send images using direct connect to much of anybody now. I simply get greyed out text that says "An AIM error has occurred. Unable to talk directly to your buddy." and then sometimes it also says "Direct Instant Message session refused."
However they fiddle with their firewalls, it still won't work. To make matters worse, they can send me pictures, and I can receive them. This tells me it's a problem on my side and not theirs. Again, I can send pictures to a couple people (they use things like Trillian and stuff). I couldn't even send a picture to a fellow iChat user.

Answer 1

Hi Daveecee,
As Rj has said the port 5190 neds to be open in your Mac Firewall if ON and the modem and any router you have.
The iChat Applogs on to AIM on port 5190 using the TCP protocol.
It uses the UDP protocol for updating the Buddy List with your Buddies pics if they change, the Status messages they send and whethter they are On-line or not.
This protocol is also used for the Direct Chats and the Group chats which are in fact the same thing and only (literally) window dressed differently by the iChat app.
If you are using Port Forwarding to open the ports in the modem AND it is a fairly new device that offers the protocols at the same time then Open Port 5190 for UDP and make the port change in iChat that RJ suggested for logging on to AIM to avoid any conflicts.
It does need of course to have a Buddy that:
1) Has an application that can do group/direct chats
2) Has opened the required ports at their end
3) Is not blocking Direct/group chats either by settings or anything that could be possible be set in their App.
Hope this helps.
9:04 PM Wednesday; July 5, 2006