Adobe Community: Dreamweaver FTP still doesn't work

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Dreamweaver FTP still doesn't work

Mar 29, 2009 6:36 PM

So I've been trying to get FTP to work in (Mac) Dreamweaver -- and I've tried every version since MX 2004. But they all fail. This problem has been posted in this forum (and many others) in the past. Whenever you try to connect/test an FTP server, you immediately get this exact error:

"An FTP error occurred -- cannot make connection to host."

This error happens instantly. There is nothing to see in the FTP log. It is not related to any FTP timeouts, firewall settings, etc. I have stayed at Dreamweaver MX 2004 because it's FTP works (and continues to work). Every version of Dreamweaver I've tried since then, CS, CS 2, CS 3, etc. all give this same error. I've tried deleting ssh_hosts. I've deleted keychains. I've tried reinstalling. I've deleted preferences. Rebuild site caches. I've tried different servers, hosts, etc. FTP (with and without all the Passive, etc. options, SFTP, etc. I've tested FTP/SFTP in other programs, in the Terminal etc. I've turned off Firewalls, removed routers, etc. What am I missing?

Why is Dreamweaver MX 2004 the last version able to perform FTP operations on our Mac?

4501 Views 25 Replies Latest reply: swathen@sjaschool.org, Apr 11, 2012 8:19 AM

Branched to a new discussion.

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1. Newsgroup_User,

Mar 30, 2009 4:05 AM in reply to jca1138

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> "An FTP error occurred -- cannot make connection to host."

This usually means your FTP details are not correct.

What do you have in the Remote site definition fields?

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(If you *MUST* email me, don't LAUGH when you do so!)
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"jca1138" <webforumsuser@macromedia.com> wrote in message
news:gqp7m1$kei$1@forums.macromedia.com...
> So I've been trying to get FTP to work in (Mac) Dreamweaver -- and I've
> tried
> every version since MX 2004. But they all fail. This problem has been
> posted
> in this forum (and many others) in the past. Whenever you try to
> connect/test
> an FTP server, you immediately get this exact error:
>
> "An FTP error occurred -- cannot make connection to host."
>
> This error happens instantly. There is nothing to see in the FTP log. It
> is
> not related to any FTP timeouts, firewall settings, etc. I have stayed at
> Dreamweaver MX 2004 because it's FTP works (and continues to work). Every
> version of Dreamweaver I've tried since then, CS, CS 2, CS 3, etc. all
> give
> this same error. I've tried deleting ssh_hosts. I've deleted keychains.
> I've
> tried reinstalling. I've deleted preferences. Rebuild site caches. I've
> tried
> different servers, hosts, etc. FTP (with and without all the Passive, etc.
> options, SFTP, etc. I've tested FTP/SFTP in other programs, in the
> Terminal
> etc. I've turned off Firewalls, removed routers, etc. What am I missing?
>
> Why is Dreamweaver MX 2004 the last version able to perform FTP operations
> on
> our Mac?
>

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2. jca1138,

Mar 30, 2009 5:03 AM in reply to Newsgroup_User

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quote:

Originally posted by: Newsgroup User
> "An FTP error occurred -- cannot make connection to host."

This usually means your FTP details are not correct.

What do you have in the Remote site definition fields?

As I've mentioned, I've tried different combinations of details that I know work (server/login/password) in other FTP clients (even the Terminal) and in Dreamweaver MX 2004. The error isn't related to a particular site definition, host, server/login/password, etc.

I have even tried the test settings (as both a Site definition or FTP/RDS server in "Sites") of:

server: ftp.irs.gov
login: anonymous

and get the same error.

I tried running Dreamweaver as a different user and root, and get the same error.

Since the error is instantaneous (it happens immediately -- whether you are using the Connect button in a "Files" window, or simply clicking the "Test" button in a Site remote info screen -- and the FTP log is blank), it doesn't seem like Dreamweaver is even opening an FTP connection.

What has changed with Dreamweaver FTP compared to MX 2004? (The last version to work -- which still continues to work.)

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3. jca1138,

Mar 30, 2009 5:14 AM in reply to jca1138

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Here is one of the old threads discussing this same issue from several years ago:

FTP Error - cannot make connection to host.

I couldn't get FTP working then and I can't get it working now. :(

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4. Newsgroup_User,

Mar 30, 2009 5:37 AM in reply to Newsgroup_User

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Tell me what you have in the Remote site definition fields for a site that
doesn't work, please.

--
Murray --- ICQ 71997575
Adobe Community Expert
(If you *MUST* email me, don't LAUGH when you do so!)
==================
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"jca1138" <webforumsuser@macromedia.com> wrote in message
news:gqqcf6$52u$1@forums.macromedia.com...
>
quote:

Originally posted by: Newsgroup User
> > "An FTP error occurred -- cannot make connection to host."
>
> This usually means your FTP details are not correct.
>
> What do you have in the Remote site definition fields?

>
> As I've mentioned, I've tried different combinations of details that I
> know
> work (server/login/password) in other FTP clients (even the Terminal) and
> in
> Dreamweaver MX 2004. The error isn't related to a particular site
> definition,
> host, server/login/password, etc.
>
> I have even tried the test settings (as both a Site definition or FTP/RDS
> server in "Sites") of:
>
> server: ftp.irs.gov
> login: anonymous
>
> and get the same error.
>
> I tried running Dreamweaver as a different user and root, and get the same
> error.
>
> Since the error is instantaneous (it happens immediately -- whether you
> are
> using the Connect button in a "Files" window, or simply clicking the
> "Test"
> button in a Site remote info screen -- and the FTP log is blank), it
> doesn't
> seem like Dreamweaver is even opening an FTP connection.
>
> What has changed with Dreamweaver FTP compared to MX 2004? (The last
> version
> to work -- which still continues to work.)
>

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5. Newsgroup_User,

Mar 30, 2009 6:17 AM in reply to Newsgroup_User

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jca1138 posted in macromedia.dreamweaver

> I have even tried the test settings (as both a Site definition or
> FTP/RDS
> server in "Sites") of:
>
> server: ftp.irs.gov
> login: anonymous
>
> and get the same error.

Are you sure they allow uploads with anonymous FTP? I didn't try myself,
since immediatly after loggin in, quite a bit of text in the welcome
message appears, including...

"This U.S. Government Computer System is for 'Official Use Only'. Private use
is prohibited. Any information placed on this system may be monitored, copied,
or disclosed to law enforcement agencies at the discretion of your systems
administrator, functional manager, or their designated agents(s). Use of the
System constitutes your understanding to these terms."

If you really are trying to test with a government server, I suggest either
using an authenticated login, or testing with your own server instead.

I wouldn't rely on anonymous FTP as a valid test of DW's Site Management
FTP features. Many (most?, all?) anon FTP dropboxes are not set up to double
as Web sites - for very good reasons!

FWIW, I have also experienced rather iffy success with DW's FTP ever since
DW2 or 3. I invariably end up using a different FTP client - perhaps because
I also like having easy access to other FTP commands. But I am also aware
that many people use DW FTP reliably. Don't know why some of us can and some
of us cannot depend on DW's FTP.

Just a pattern observed over the years.

--
Mark A. Boyd
Keep-On-Learnin' :)

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6. jca1138,

Mar 30, 2009 7:48 AM in reply to Newsgroup_User

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quote:

Originally posted by: Newsgroup User
Tell me what you have in the Remote site definition fields for a site that
doesn't work, please.

I created a new site in both Dreamweaver 2004 MX and Dreamweaver CS 3 with these same settings for testing/comparison:

----------------
Access type: FTP
FTP host: ftp.irs.gov
Host directory:
Login: anonymous
Password:

[X] Use passive FTP
----------------

In Dreamweaver 2004 MX, clicking the "Test" button gives this message:

"Dreamweaver connected to your server successfully."

In Dreamweaver CS 3, clicking the "Test" button gives this message:

"An FTP error occurred - cannot make connection to host."

(Saving the site and trying to connect via the Files/Site pane produces the same results.)

As I mentioned in the previous post, this problem doesn't change when trying different settings.

To answer the original poster, the reason I'm using ftp.irs.gov as an example is it is a public/anonymous FTP server people often use to test making FTP connections, and is even mentioned by adobe:

http://kb.adobe.com/selfservice/viewContent.do?externalId=tn_14834

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7. Newsgroup_User,

Mar 30, 2009 8:19 AM in reply to Newsgroup_User

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Thanks. For what it's worth, I cannot connect to that gov site in CS4
either. I'm checking to see if there's any info available for this
problem....

--
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Adobe Community Expert
(If you *MUST* email me, don't LAUGH when you do so!)
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"jca1138" <webforumsuser@macromedia.com> wrote in message
news:gqqm4f$glj$1@forums.macromedia.com...
>
quote:

Originally posted by: Newsgroup User
> Tell me what you have in the Remote site definition fields for a site that
> doesn't work, please.

>
> I created a new site in both Dreamweaver 2004 MX and Dreamweaver CS 3 with
> these same settings for testing/comparison:
>
> ----------------
> Access type: FTP
> FTP host: ftp.irs.gov
> Host directory:
> Login: anonymous
> Password:
>
> [X] Use passive FTP
> ----------------
>
> In Dreamweaver 2004 MX, clicking the "Test" button gives this message:
>
> "Dreamweaver connected to your server successfully."
>
> In Dreamweaver CS 3, clicking the "Test" button gives this message:
>
> "An FTP error occurred - cannot make connection to host."
>
> (Saving the site and trying to connect via the Files/Site pane produces
> the
> same results.)
>
> As I mentioned in the previous post, this problem doesn't change when
> trying
> different settings.
>
> To answer the original poster, the reason I'm using ftp.irs.gov as an
> example
> is it is a public/anonymous FTP server people often use to test making FTP
> connections, and is even mentioned by adobe:
>
> http://kb.adobe.com/selfservice/viewContent.do?externalId=tn_14834
>

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8. Newsgroup_User,

Mar 30, 2009 8:29 AM in reply to Newsgroup_User

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jca1138 posted in macromedia.dreamweaver

> To answer the original poster,

Eh, you are the original poster in this thread, but...

> the reason I'm using ftp.irs.gov
> as an example
> is it is a public/anonymous FTP server people often use to test
> making FTP connections, and is even mentioned by adobe:
>
> http://kb.adobe.com/selfservice/viewContent.do?externalId=tn_14834

Interesting. FWIW, anonymous FTP often requires an email address for
the password, which is how I tested in the command line FTP client. I
used nobody@example.com in my test.

I didn't try without the address, but see if it makes any difference.

(I also don't have DW available at the moment).

--
Mark A. Boyd
Keep-On-Learnin' :)

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9. Newsgroup_User,

Mar 30, 2009 8:47 AM in reply to Newsgroup_User

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Mark:

Didn't work for me to add the bogus email address to the password field....

--
Murray --- ICQ 71997575
Adobe Community Expert
(If you *MUST* email me, don't LAUGH when you do so!)
==================
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==================

"Mark A. Boyd" <lingoboyd@mboydDotcom.invalid> wrote in message
news:Xns9BDE563E6967DmblistssanDotrrcom@216.104.212.96...
> jca1138 posted in macromedia.dreamweaver
>
>> To answer the original poster,
>
> Eh, you are the original poster in this thread, but...
>
>> the reason I'm using ftp.irs.gov
>> as an example
>> is it is a public/anonymous FTP server people often use to test
>> making FTP connections, and is even mentioned by adobe:
>>
>> http://kb.adobe.com/selfservice/viewContent.do?externalId=tn_14834
>
> Interesting. FWIW, anonymous FTP often requires an email address for
> the password, which is how I tested in the command line FTP client. I
> used nobody@example.com in my test.
>
> I didn't try without the address, but see if it makes any difference.
>
> (I also don't have DW available at the moment).
>
>
> --
> Mark A. Boyd
> Keep-On-Learnin' :)

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10. jca1138,

Mar 31, 2009 12:56 PM in reply to jca1138

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Just to add more info (?) about this problem.

If I open Advanced > FTP log and try to connect to any site/FTP, it remains blank during the error -- nothing in the log.

If I leave the FTP log window open and make a change to a Site setting, such as changing the FTP port (by adding ":22" to the end of the FTP Host field), and hit "Test", the FTP log shows "Using port 22", but still gives the error (and no further info in the FTP log window).

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11. Newsgroup_User,

Mar 31, 2009 1:12 PM in reply to jca1138

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Stick with it. I've been able to pass this along to some engineers....

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Murray --- ICQ 71997575
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(If you *MUST* email me, don't LAUGH when you do so!)
==================
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==================

"jca1138" <webforumsuser@macromedia.com> wrote in message
news:gqtsi9$ikv$1@forums.macromedia.com...
> Just to add more info (?) about this problem.
>
> If I open Advanced > FTP log and try to connect to any site/FTP, it
> remains
> blank during the error -- nothing in the log.
>
> If I leave the FTP log window open and make a change to a Site setting,
> such
> as changing the FTP port (by adding ":22" to the end of the FTP Host
> field),
> and hit "Test", the FTP log shows "Using port 22", but still gives the
> error
> (and no further info in the FTP log window).
>

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12. MidknightLightning,

Apr 19, 2009 2:20 AM in reply to Newsgroup_User

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Hi,

I've been having exactly the same problem here.

I can connect using SmartFTP client, but not Dreamweaver CS4

My user name and password are correct - I used a text file with these names and then copy/pasted them into Dreamweaver and SmartFTP connection dialogs

SmartFTP connects fine - but Dreamweaver keeps immediately comming back with user name / password incorrect. It happens immediately and nothing appears in the FTP log.

I've tried a multitude of variations in the options for the Dreamweaver connection - but still not luck.

I would really like to understand how to fix this.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

Kevin

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13. David_Powers,

Apr 19, 2009 3:08 AM in reply to MidknightLightning

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SmartFTP connects fine - but Dreamweaver keeps immediately comming back with user name / password incorrect. It happens immediately and nothing appears in the FTP log.
Make sure your security software isn't blocking Dreamweaver's access to the internet.

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14. MidknightLightning,

Apr 19, 2009 11:26 AM in reply to David_Powers

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Hi David,

Yeah, I made sure my firewall (NIS2009) was disabled and it made no difference. I also made sure dreamweaver.exe was "allowed" in the firewall application table when the firewall is enabled (it was previously set to "auto") - this also didn't work.

What I find strange is that there is absolutely no text in the dreamweaver ftp log.

Really fustrating .... are there others out there for whom this works without problems or is everyone just using an FTP client to do their transfering?

I'd really like to get the sync function working with the remote server rather than use a different client .....

Kev

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15. David_Powers,

Apr 19, 2009 11:44 AM in reply to MidknightLightning

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Dreamweaver FTP works fine for me. One other thing you can try is selecting Passive FTP in the Remote Server section of the Site Definition dialog box.

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16. MidknightLightning,

Apr 19, 2009 12:01 PM in reply to David_Powers

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Hi,

Yup - I've also selected PassiveFTP in that dialog - still no joy.

Have to say I'm stumped at the moment.

Kev

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17. the_missing_link,

Apr 19, 2009 6:55 PM in reply to jca1138

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Hi;
Some people may disagree to my approach for FTPING to a remote server but it works fine for me in Dreamweaver. If you don't already have a site defined to connect to your server Go to site >new site. You may see the basic ftp options but just ignore them go up to where it says basic and advanced in tabs in the top left hand corner of the new screen and click advanced. Okay now go to remote info (it is listed on the sidebar). you will see it say access:none click that and it will bring up a dropdown menu. Choose FTP and now some new options appear. Where it says ftp host: put the name of your website leave the ftp host directory area blank (I know a lot of people may disagree with that but it works fine) now it says login and password with a big button that says test. Type in the username and password you use to get into the control panel for your remote server and hit test. If it says it was succesful AWESOME! If it gives you that error again try to make sure you typed your password and username correctly. You can also go to your remote control panel and type in your password to make sure you remember it correctly. If none of this works I would contact the Adobe customer support. My favorite method of contacting adobe is via live chat. It works a lot better that way!

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18. birdog827,

Apr 24, 2009 3:15 AM in reply to jca1138

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i have been experiencing the same problem. however, just to make it more complex, i have 2 sites. the first one i set up on my newly installed dreamweaver cs4 on my new Mac (after transfering files from from my old PC). All worked perfectly including the FTP part. still does.
Now, I am transferring my second site to the Mac. I have set up the FTP remote site info exactly the same as the first site; however, I am getting all the same error messages that the other people have spoken of - "FTP error - cannot connect to host. Incorrect login and password". this is also an instant message - no apparent attempt to login.
it is not the server as the connection still works perfectly on my PC; however, there I was using Coffee Cup FTP.......... which i think i will go back to.
any ideas??

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19. Jack Evans,

May 14, 2009 11:12 AM in reply to jca1138

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I'm having the same problem with SFTP using CS4 on OSX.

Our server is on a cluster, and today, it failed-over to a new node. In previous versions, this would generate a security certificate warning, but in CS4, I just can't connect.

I can connect with a generic FTP client using the same settings, and I can connect in CS4 by changing the host name to the specific server node (which I would normally have no way of knowing).

When I delete the known_hosts file (which stores cert records), the generic FTP client warns me, then allows me to connect, but I still can't connect with CS4.

This leads me to believe that CS4 has its own version of a known_hosts file somewhere.

Any ideas?

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20. birdog827,

May 14, 2009 5:54 PM in reply to Jack Evans

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i am now using FTP classic = free download from apple and it works
fine - gets stuck every once in a while but it does connect - not
worth the time to figure the other mess out!

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21. jeffv0803123,

Aug 30, 2010 8:18 PM in reply to jca1138

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im having the same problem with CS5 on my macbook pro. Im running OSX 10.6.
It instantly gives the message --ftp error--blah blah blah. Its not even getting to the network or the web. The weird thing is that I had a trial of cs5 on my mac that was connecting with FTP with no problem. but I uninstalled it by dragging everything to the trash. Didnt know that I was suppose to use the uninstall utility.
I then reinstalled it just so that I could uninstall it with the trial utility. I then used the adobe cs5 clean up tool, restarted the system as instructed, and reinstalled CS5 again.
at first dreamweaver would not even launch. It just said "dreamweaver" on the top left of my screen with no "file, edit..." menus. I then ran update, and updated dreamweaver. After being updated, Dreamweaver will launch, and function. But it will not FTP. I have unistalled and reinstalled at least 10 times. Its always the same. Instant message -- FTP error-blah blah blah....

Is there no answer to this problem?

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22. mlanhalt,

Nov 20, 2010 11:50 AM in reply to the_missing_link

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AWESOME THANK YOU SO MUCH!! IT FINALY WORKS YAY!!!!!!

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23. illuminationgroup,

Mar 20, 2011 5:41 PM in reply to the_missing_link

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This totally worked for me on two sites, just now. Thanks, T

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24. jeffman5000xp,

Aug 22, 2011 6:37 PM in reply to jca1138

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Fixed.

I am using Dreamweaver CS5.5 on Snow Leopard and am having the same FTP problems.

After trying to uninstall and reintall Dreamweaver CS5.5 with no luck I was able to solve my issue by leaving the "Root Directory" field of the FTP server configuration BLANK.

My hosting provider (justhost) allows you to specify the FTP path when you create a FTP accounts. That is where I specify the "root dir" path and not in DW ftp server config.

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25. swathen@sjaschool.org,

Apr 11, 2012 8:19 AM in reply to jca1138

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After struggling with this very same problem for 2 weeks, I have finally found a simple SOLUTION. After checking the forums, I discovered that in the "FTP Address" field of the settings, you are NOT supposed to enter the prefix ftp. For example, I originally had the following in that field: ftp.sitename.org. When I changed that entry to simply 'sitename.org' and clicked on the test connection button, I was able to connect immediately. Problem solved!

In my older version of Dreamweaver, Dreamweaver 8, I DID have to put the ftp prefix in that field. However, with Dreamweaver CS5.5, you do NOT.
Please try this and see if it works for you.

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