I have a client running Server 9 on Mac. They have set up a VPN for me so that I can give support remotely. I have Windows XP SP3 and am using FM 9 Advanced.

I can open the remote file dialog.

I can see the host name in the left panel.

I can see the list of available files in the right panel.

When I double click a file to open it, I get a coffee cup cursor for about a minute, and then FileMaker gives up and nothing happens.

Is this a common cross-platform problem?

I have no problem opening their files directly (from CD-ROM backups).

Any ideas anyone?

Did you access using "local hosts" or "favorite hosts"?

I think you must use "favorite hosts" (with the local IP address) to run FMP via VPN.

I have the same setup without problems.

I did use Favourite Hosts, and the server and accompanying files appear okay. It's just that when I try to open a file from the list, the coffee cup cursor just sits there for a minute and then FileMaker gives up and nothing happens.

I have successfully opened FileMaker files via VPN for another client, but that client is running FM Server 9 on Windows XP, and I am opening the file on Windows XP.

That's why I'm wondering if it's a problem connected with me opening the files from XP and the files being served on Mac OS, and whether anyone else has had the same problem, but more importantly a solution.

From you first posting:

They have set up a VPN for me so that I can give support remotely

Does this work for the client - did they test it themselves?

Is this truly a VPN connection - do you have to make the VPN connection first and then start FMP. Or have they given you a direct IP address that is port forwarded to their FM Server.

Things go a bit screwy with DNS for XP client to OS X VPN host, so if you're using a DNS address to the

I finally made a true VPN connect via XP to OS X Server VPN after 2 YEARS of research.

Thanks for the advice. I am connecting to a VPN and then opening the FileMaker files, but they have given me a dns address, so as you have said, maybe that's the problem. I'll see if I can get an IP address from them.

Did you find a solution? I'm experiencing the same problem. Mac Server, Windows XP client, with or without VPN connection, ip address in favorite hosts; via open-remote, I can see the server, I can see the hosted db's, but when I try to open a hosted file, I get the coffee cup icon for a minute then back to empty fmp client window. Would love to hear how to avoid/repair. Thanks.