Hi guys,

Just thought I would update on trying to connect a Vista laptop with the sidepanel software. (Using a separate post so that future searching is more accurate)

I am currently using a Kayak HD switcher with the sidepanel software.

When I first opened my laptop, I had Vista set the network connection (IP v4) to an alternate configuration of IP 192.168.0.125. No problem. I then tried to ping the Kayak in dos and was able to do so. When I ran the netcheck utility, it would not find the Kayak IP addresses.

Next step was manually allowing the firewall to pass netcheck et al through. This didn't work either. So I turned off all firewalls (I am using Windows One Care so I disbaled the service from the Administrative Tools/Services menu. Disabled the windows firewall service as well) Netcheck then detected the Kayak IPs.

Tried firing up the sidepanel software and kept on getting the following message.
"Could not connect to control panel 1.1.1.1" Tried compatablity modes and running as administrator. Nothing worked.

Gave up on this way and ended up running MS XP under Virtual PC. Installed the sidepanel software and it fired up straight away even with Vista running firewalls and OneCare.

In conlclusion, it HAS to be a layer of Vista that will not let the sidepanel access the Kayak.

If anyone else has tried and had success, please post here as with more laptops coming out with Vista, it may only be a matter of time before it requires more urgent attention.

:)

Dave