I decided to start a new post since my previous issues were resolved.
I installed a desktop Windows XP Pro computer at my remote location and had 2 USB webcams and 1 IP cam (747W). Everything would work for a day or two. The IP cam kept dropping out after a day or so. The USB cams would continue to run for up to 5 days or so, then the iCamsource program would crash. I go there every weekend and will be until early December. I attempted to set up Remote Desktop on the remote computer so I could restart everything from home. No luck. I have an XP Pro laptop that I am able to Remote Desktop into from my other computers when I have it on my home network: can see it internally and externally with port 3389 forwarded in the router and using dyndns domain that I set up. Cannot see the desktop internally or externally when at the remote location. The RDP listening port is 3389. I brought the computer home for troubleshooting. The USB cams are now "dummy" cams pointed out of the windows.
Next issue: I left the IP cam connected to the router. I have DSL with a Westell 7500 modem/router that I bridged so it is just a modem now, or so I think. I then installed a Netgear router, WRN2000v2. I have the same router at home and am familiar with it. I actually installed the Netgear router last week hoping to get the IP cam stable, but still had drop out issues. Since I couldn't Remote Desktop to the remote computer, I decided to use the IP cam like it was intended for now. I forwarded port 80 to the internal IP address of the IP cam, 192.168.1.xxx. With the dyndns domain, I could see the IP cam when on my network at remote sight. I turned on Remote Management for the router and could see it when using the external IP on a laptop when on my network at remote sight. I went to a local library with WIFI and cannot see the router or IP cam. Turned off router remote management and left IP cam in place. Tried seeing it from home and cannot.
So, is there a possibilty that the Westell modem is blocking my ports when attempting to see externally? If so, does anyone have a fix?
As far as the remote desktop issue, I will work on that separately from this forum, unless someone as some ideas. I understand the basics of RDP and firewall rules, but I am defintely missing something with this computer. I bought it used and have been searching the web like crazy looking for anything to get it to work like I want. I have Norton Security Suite on it like my other 3 computers.
Thanks for any advice.