VPN Forum access and IP addresse Tests

**DocAElstein** · 07-23-2018, 04:03 PM

As previously mentioned if you're receiving a message to install the TAP driver, don't worry as that driver is needed for connecting via OpenVPN VPN protocol and it will only install a virtual network adapter used for OpenVPN protocol.
Since that VPN protocol isn't present in Windows by default, it needs to be installed separately. Regarding connection issues and accessing your members area, for additional security it is possible that you experienced certain temporary limit if you tried unusual action and regarding configuration files, You can download other configuration files and copy them to your OpenVPN config folder (by default C:/Program Files/OpenVPN/config/ ) and confirm that you allow it and you can switch between the locations when you right click on the OpenVPN icon from your system tray.
On your new laptop you can also you can also install OpenVPN standalone client, the method is basically the same but you can check this guide here: And for Windows 10 download this OpenVPN file - https://swupdate.openvpn.org/communi...I607-Win10.exe

So the remaining issues are
I can't get OpenVPN to work on Vista or Windows 10
I can't get SoftEther to work on XP
I can't get the hide.me app to work on Windows 10

I am mainly interested in getting the SoftEther working in XP and the OpenVPN working in Vista.

For error regarding OpenVPN service not starting please check this article here: https://superuser.com/questions/1432...trative-access
It is a Windows system service and this error indicates that your Windows operating system is having problems starting a required service.
Please download the latest Windows updates first.
]
Regarding TAP adapter errors, uninstall OpenVPN client and make sure you confirm the "User Account Control" (UAC) dialog with "Yes" button but I would also recommend to check this article here : https://jochen.kirstaett er.name/openvpn-on-windows-all-tap-windows-adapters-on-this-system-are-currently-in-use/

( Currently OpenVPN is working fairly reliably on those two XP machines)

[
OpenVPN Vista
So far I have not been able to get this to work on any Vista machines ever.
I still get this error on attempting to start OpenVPN:
https://imgur.com/Zpf72AF ( In English that is
something like …." "OpenVPNServiceinteractive" is not started.
Tasks that require administrative access may not work."…
I will look in detail later when I have more time at all your latest suggestions regarding this.

Regarding the issue with configuration file, those files are dynamically created, they are not hard linked and it could be an issue with your browser, please try using a different browser.
For OpenVPNServiceinteractive error please check this article here: https://superuser.com/questions/1432...trative-access
_2 error regarding OpenVPN service
( As noted previously I could originally only get OpenVPN to work reliably
on my older XP machines ).
_2a Regarding this article, which you referenced: :
https://superuser.com/questions/1432...trative-access

It is not clear to me whether this is known problem that stops OpenVPN working, or whether it is just an irritancy.. ,
but anyway, I have tried to look into "Services" as discussed in that above article.
I tried two Vista machines:
_2a) (i) On one Vista machine I could not get very far because clicking on "Services" ( Step 3 here: https://imgur.com/9AGSZpe ) , had no effect: Nothing happens after clicking on the "Services" on that machine.
_2a(ii) On another Vista machine, I can get further, ( via "Services Running on this Computer" : Step 3 here: https://imgur.com/KQLZ1Ii
I then see similar windows as in the article. https://imgur.com/034GRiM
I appear to already have the correct setting of "Automatic" :
https://imgur.com/8RcdGjp
So on at least one of my Vista machines, the issue discussed in the article , is probably not causing the problem. ( Both my Vista machines were purchased from new at almost the same time. I have rarely changed any default settings, so I expect there is a good chance that both machines have this "Automatic" setting )
I tried a de install and re install ( using the same newest windows 7 version as previously, openvpn-install-2.4.7-I607-Win7.exe ). I noted the comments here,
https://jochen.kirstaetter.name/open...rently-in-use/
, about the TAP stuff, so observed the TAP checked stings: The instillation has by default, ( as I believe was the case on all my previous instillations ) , the correct checked boxes: https://imgur.com/zuoWyzl
( I note that I did not need to "Confirm a TAP" as I did in a previous instillation on an XP machine ( https://imgur.com/s9bgnNc )
Finally I see this installed on the Vista machine: https://imgur.com/bE0ifIQ
This looks the same as I had previously.
After the new instillation, I restart my laptop. As previously, I get the start up error: https://imgur.com/PUflNhk
( Note: I get this start up error even on machines where OpenVPN is working consistently. So the start up error may not be so significant. )

As previously on all Vista machines, a connection fails: https://imgur.com/RwxfP4W
So OpenVPN remains not working on my XP Vista machines : https://imgur.com/9UVqf7o , https://imgur.com/TPq6vZN
I have not had time to look fully at the TAP issue yet. I would like to spend some more time on that to try to understand what TAP stuff is all about first before I start meddling with it, just in case I mess up something badly on my existing working (non VPN) internet.
I have made a copy of some of my recent OpenVPN Logs, for example from 30th September, and one for when OpenVPN suddenly started working on my new
machine:
„Berlin Win 7 success 30 Sept.log" :
https://app.box.com/s/x41c22p1vetggi7huw6kvs1ed3vqivuf

„Berlin XP Success 30 Sept.log" :
https://app.box.com/s/2qq51g6lkbcmsv5kputy68gumrborq9f

"Berlin Vista fail 30 Sept.txt" :
https://app.box.com/s/p5rrq2blkj4g4a6kxgho371mxjatoji5

****"Berlin Win 10 fail log 30 Sept.txt" :
https://app.box.com/s/9iskpc4t5e3lehk0rb7uh8k7vslw6cca

OpenVPN Sudden first succes Berlin Win 8.1.txt :
https://app.box.com/s/gou8qmfwq04shx7pzm41wraa3bo5g3sy

There may be some information there in those logs that may be useful when I
re look at the OpenVPN problems, possibly something to do with TAP stuff.
_.___________________________________________-

5) Regarding the information you gave me about TAP errors.
I have not looked into the information that you gave me on this in detail yet.
The logs that I have seen often mention TAP errors or TAP failures, like "All TAP-Windows adapters on this system are currently in use".
These are shown for both unsuccessful and successful working VPN attempts.
So it is not clear to me yet what the relevance of these errors are.
I may look again at this TAP stuff later. I might understand later the significance..
I have a feeling that sometimes "TAP" errors seems to cure themselves… if you are lucky..
_._________________________________________
Vistas
The only working option is SoftEther. I remain keen to get OpenVPN to work on my Vista machines
XP

**DocAElstein** · 07-26-2018, 02:33 PM

_A) getting OpenVPN to work on my Vista Operating system machines. I have not ever managed that yet on any Vista operating system machine.
( SoftEther continues to work consistently on my Vista machines, as it has always since the very start of my experimenting with VPN)

Regarding operating systems, Vista and XP and available updates.
Since these Operating systems are no longer supported by Microsoft, they do not get any Windows updates automatically. Most of these machines I had from new, and they did regularly get updates. So I assume I have the
latest.
I am not too sure how I would now check that the updates are the latest? ( I can get old updates if I know the update KB number, for example form here: https://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/Home.aspx )

I had a quick look in my update lists on my machines… and I seem to have…
_- On my vista machines:
Windows Operating System updates until 2016; .Net updates until 2016;
Microsoft Office still gets regular updates automatically on my Vista machines
_- On my XP machines:
The shown date on updates is known to have bugs and errors in Windows XP. But I estimate that Windows updates stopped coming on my XP machines from about 2014 .( This estimate is based on inspection of the updates that I have, and looking at the information given for those updates at https://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/Home.aspx ) ; ( I disabled updates early this year on my XP machines since all my XP machines have licensed and registered Microsoft Office versions which still get offered updates from Microsoft, which cause problems: The problem with this is
that Microsoft often send updates for Office, which when installed, break many things in XP operating systems ! ( http://www.eileenslounge.com/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=31405 ) )

( Currently my Windows 7 machines and the Windows 8.1 machine mostly get regular automatic updates. But currently I have no problems with hide.me VPN on those )

_.___________________________________________

Regarding the … new infrastructure ….- …"only Paris, Kiev, Seoul and Sydney are still on the new system……".. .
As far as I can remember I have not used yet any of those locations. So I expect that the new infrastructure issue will not have influenced any of my experimenting yet.

_._________________

Regarding OpenVPN issues and openvpnserviceinteractive error.
This warning pop up occurs on all my machines even after a fresh install.
All the "Services" that I have been able to look at are set to start up automatic, and I suspect that most , if not all my machines are set to that start up automatic.
At the moment it is all supporting the idea that the warning pop up is best just to ignore.
But I will report back if anything I do changes the occurrence of that pop up warning

_._______________

Regarding your suggestion of …" creating a new user on your computer and
check if OpenVPN is working there.."
I created a new User on a Vista machine and on a Windows 7 machine. All users have administrator status. ( Previously all my Vista and Windows 7 machines have had just one user

**DocAElstein** · 07-26-2018, 02:43 PM

I'm sorry for the confusion, I was referring to these articles and I will also provide direct links for other articles mentioned in my previous reply:
You can check and follow the recommended steps these articles below.
https://www.kapilarya.com/error-1068...art-windows-10
https://www.kapilarya.com/remote-acc...-in-windows-10
It is mentioned in OpenVPN github section here https://github.com/OpenVPN/openvpn-gui/issues/303 that OpenVPNServiceInteractive error looks like a local issue.
For some users uninstalling both OpenVPN and TAP adapter helped as in this article here: https://forums.openvpn.net/viewtopic.php?t=25770
With this article you can see how to check if you have administrator privileges https://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch001093.htm but from what you mentioned it seems that's not a problems.

And on your Vista computer, uninstall your previous OpenVPN client and download and install this OpenVPN version and try connecting with it later. If you're using 32-bit version download this one here: https://build.openvpn.net/downloads/...-I001-i686.exe
In case you're using 64-bit version try this one here: https://build.openvpn.net/downloads/...001-x86_64.exe
Regarding this screenshot https://imgur.com/KMk8m1F - VPN client Adapter is adapter for SoftEther and TAP Windows Adapter V9 adapter is for OpenVPN.
Please check that you are not connecting both SoftEther and OpenVPN connection at the same time.
Also, on Windows XP and Vista please try (this configuration file), you can also try it on other computer [size=1]
Mainly this Email is concerned with my Vista/OpenVPN issue…
_.___

Regarding the issue with starting Services on some of my machines.
Looking at some of the articles seems to suggest that I may need to fiddle around with some clever stuff on re booting etc. So I think I will leave that issue for a while. My guess is that the issue with starting Services on some of my machines is not too directly relevant to my main remaining VPN issues. So I do not want to risk doing any damage messing around with things outside my computer knowledge capabilities…
Maybe I will re look at the issue with starting Services on some of my machines at a later date.
_._____

Regarding OpenVPNServiceInteractive issues.
Once again I think this may not be so important or relevant directly to my main remaining VPN issues. As it has been mentioned a few times that the error can be ignored, then , for now, I will ignore that issue.
_._____

Regarding Tap issues and de installing / re installing things
I have de installed / re installed, restarted things, de activated / re activated things many more times than I can remember…. I am coming to the conclusion that if you use VPN then de installing / re installing ,
restarted things, de activating / re activating things is something that you need to do constantly….. continually I get strange sporadic internet problems more and more often since I have been using VPN. Often a strange
new problem goes away after de installing / re installing, restarted , de activating / re activating things.
So I am routinely doing all sorts of de installing / re installing, restarted things, de activating / re activating things. That often solves a new problem, which I get more of, the more I use VPN. But so far the main two issues that I have are not effected by after de installing / re installing, restarted things, de activating / re activating things.
_._____

**DocAElstein** · 07-29-2018, 11:51 AM

So the main theme of this EMail....
Vista/OpenVPN……………

Regarding your suggestion to uninstall previous OpenVPN on Vista , etc….
( just to refresh on previously/ currently…
_ I have / had 2.4.7-I607-Win7 : https://imgur.com/Q5LeptZ
. And typically I get the error: https://imgur.com/Q51VKiw
_ I see something like this typically on all my vista machines in my ControlPanel---Network and Internet---Networkconnection : https://imgur.com/YJaM6nB
I note your comments about my xp screenshot, which in comparison has also a " TAP Windows Adapter V9 adapter for OpenVPN "... … that " TAP Windows Adapter V9 adapter for OpenVPN ".. seems to have been missing on all my
Vista machines, despite always carefully checking for it to be installed during the many re instillations that I did… )
So I de installed 2.4.7-I607-Win7, ( I note that the de instillation did not removed the configuration files).
I downloaded and installed this one ( all my Vista machines are 32 Bit ) openvpn-install-2.3.18-I001-x86_64.exe
https://build.openvpn.net/downloads/...-I001-i686.exe
As always, I check during the instillation that I have the tap stuff … https://imgur.com/ISzIoCR … and if I am given
the option to install it, then I take that option.. https://imgur.com/JwkiSsP

Finally, after the instillation is finished, as I expected, I appear to have the OpenVPN 2 3 18 - I001 in my program list: https://imgur.com/BYa46N4 .. and for the first time ever on a vista machine, I now see an extra thing
in my ControlPanel---Network and Internet---Networkconnection https://imgur.com/B9FkEYU
… and it works !!!!! - https://imgur.com/7AK3m8w
https://imgur.com/e5VJTI1
https://imgur.com/Gs7x2rX it works almost always!!
The last screen shots are for the successful connection using the original Berlin configuration file.

In addition to the original Berlin configuration file, is also another one still there which you gave me with your Email from Oct 7, 21:25 UTC. ( openvpn-berlin.ovpn ) Trying that, I usually get an empty window and then a fail : https://imgur.com/0hghzuB

I have from your last Email (Oct 12, 19:34 UTC ) a third Berlin configuration file ( openvpn-berlin-21.ovpn ). So I have added that as well: https://imgur.com/nc5P8Fr
I have not yet been able to get that to work. It always fails and the window is empty : https://imgur.com/KSW4CUf

So I tried again on a second Vista Computer..
Here, just to refresh, was the current situation, OpenVPN Version 2.4.7-I607-Win7 was installed, We note that the tap thing for SoftEther is there, but the one for OpenVPN does not seem to be there: https://imgur.com/Hw1kL1z
and every attempt at connection Failed like this https://imgur.com/U6pLegg .

I installed all 3 versions of Berlin configuration files, ( https://imgur.com/flNvm6c )
I rechecked connections a few times, re started computer, re tried etc, the result was always a fail like this: https://imgur.com/U6pLegg ( In addition, on restarting the computer , and/or launching OpenVPN I got the error pop up:
_ On computer restart: https://imgur.com/NqVJUjQ "OpenVPNServiceInteractive" ist nicht instilliert. Aufgaben, die administrativen Zugriff benötigen, funktionieren
möglicherweise nicht." "OpenVPNServiceInteractive "is not installed.
Tasks that require administrative access may not work. "

_ On Launching: https://imgur.com/WY3xPdw :
"OpenVPNServiceInteractive" ist nicht gestartet.
Aufgaben, die administrativen Zugriff benötigen, funktionieren
möglicherweise nicht." "OpenVPNServiceInteractive "is not started.
Tasks that require administrative access may not work. "

So I repeat the experiment that was successful with the previous vista
machine…… I de installed OpenVPN Version 2.4.7-I607-Win7 , https://imgur.com/PiTezXc
, https://imgur.com/Gak0EU2
, https://imgur.com/PSy6uLN
, https://imgur.com/KcKBktM
, https://imgur.com/QSK1aXY
I notice that after the de instillation, as previously, the program files, including the tap stuff are all gone, but the configuration files are still there: https://imgur.com/xmyas9A

I now install OpenVPN version 2 3 18-I001-i686 from here
https://build.openvpn.net/downloads/...-I001-i686.exe
or here https://app.box.com/s/wykxqmh0c4wi9o2upoipzbo5z32zt16z )

I made sure that the tap stuff was checked and installed:
https://imgur.com/vqTRjV5 , https://imgur.com/ZdfIJdr

I notice that after the instillation, I now have the " TAP Windows Adapter V9 adapter for OpenVPN " thing shown in my ControlPanel---Network and Internet---Networkconnection : https://imgur.com/w5GVzVl , https://imgur.com/g0EYUZq

So far , every attempt at a connection with the original Berlin configuration file on this second vista machine has been successful

: https://imgur.com/h78uTOs ,
https://imgur.com/GaC4q3J ,
https://imgur.com/U6tBfgq

As with the first vista machine, have not been able to get a connection to work with the two new Berlin configuration files ( openvpn-berlin-21 , openvpn-berlin ) : https://imgur.com/8k9MYrS , https://imgur.com/NLNi13

( I also note that I do not get the error pop ups on a restart and/or OpenVPN launch )

_._____________________________________

Just out of interest: A re try with 2 4 7 I607 Win 7 .
Because the Vista issue seems now to be solved, I decided for completeness, and just out of interest, to check out the source of the problem.

I de installed version 2 3 18-I001-i686 on a Vista machine. After this, the program 2 3 18 I001 and the TAP Windows 9 9 2 are gone from the program list.
Also, the tap is gone from the ControlPanel---Network and Internet---Networkconnection : https://imgur.com/hIGDM8l

I now install version 2 4 7 I607 Win 7 . As always, I have the tap stuff checked: https://imgur.com/6kE2lJm
I note that in the instillation, no pop up came up to indicate a tap instillation.
After instillation completion, I see that I have the program files, including the tap thing, but the tap is not shown in the
ControlPanel---Network and Internet---Networkconnections tap connections. https://imgur.com/2iIBK59

As expected, a connection attempt fails, ( and I have the pop up errors on starting )

So I re installed version 2 3 18-I001-i686 . ( in this experiment I did not de install version 2 4 7 I607 Win 7 before installing version 2 4 7 I607 Win 7 )
As always , I checked the tap stuff. I was not asked this time to install the tap. Never the less , the tap appears in the ControlPanel---Network and Internet---Networkconnections
In the program list, the 2 4 7 I607 Win 7 and TAP windows 9 23 3 are gone and the 2 3 18-I001-i686 and TAP Windows 9 9 2 are there.
A connection to Berlin works , using the original configuration files. (Using the two new configuration files fails to make a connection)

As a last experiment, I re install version 2 4 7 I607 Win 7 without de installing version 2 3 18-I001-i686 .
In this instillation I get an error whilst installing the TAP device driver: https://imgur.com/T8cfsmy
After the instillation, in the program list, the 2 4 7 I607 Win 7 and TAP windows 9 23 3 are there
and the 2 3 18-I001-i686 and TAP Windows 9 9 2 are gone.
As expected, I get the start up pop up errors, and I cannot get any working connection.

_.___

Finally I re install version 2 3 18-I001-i686 , and all is well!

_._______________

So this is good news. I seem to have OpenVPN consistently working now on
Vista.

_.___

New Vista Device. TheDocIsHere@vista ( On Acer Aspire 7535G Lap top )
So far I have been doing my vista related experiments mostly on two machines, both of which I have from new, ( Lap top Acer Aspire 4810TZG, ACER computer Aspire X3200 ) . As far as I know they were regularly receiving all the Microsoft updates which were available up until Microsoft discontinued support for Vista
I expect that later this year most of my VPN use on a Vista machine will be on another Lap top of mine , ( Acer Aspire 7535G ). ( This was not in use for a long time and probably did not get all the most recent updates. Most of the listed updates seem to be from around 2013 )

So, I created a new device name, TheDocIsHere@vista , and I expect that I will later this year be using that machine for most of my VPN use on a vista machine, most likely one of my Acer Aspire 7535G machines )

So I installed OpenVPN 2 3 18-I001-i686 on an Acer Aspire Lap top 7535G.
During the instillation the TAP thing was installed, and it appeared in the ControlPanel---Network and Internet---Networkconnections list.
I included the three config files in the config folder: https://imgur.com/RKrm56v
The results were consistent with the recent vista findings, as reported in this Email: Berlin works fine, using the original config files. ( As previously, config files openvpn-berlin-21.ovpn and openvpn-berlin.ovpn do not work )

SoftEther on my Acer Aspire Lap top 7535G
As I mentioned a few times, I like to have two working solution to most computer things. The obvious choice for my VPN stuff on my Acer Aspire Lap top 7535G is SoftEther, since this has mostly worked consistently in all my VPN Vista experiments to date. I was expecting no problem with it…… But I had a problem: I tried a few of the most recent SoftEther Client downloads.
Unfortunately, the .exe would not run. I looked briefly in the internet and there were some suggestions that either missing updates or possibly registry corruption sometimes cause such problems. I have not investigated these two things yet.
I found an alternative solution to this new SoftEther Vista problem: I noticed co incidentally that another VPN provider supplied a link to a much older Soft Ether Client download within their Vista Set Up instructions , ( http://softether-download.com/files/softether/v4.22-9634-beta-2016.11.27-tree/Windows/SoftEther_VPN_Client/softether-vpnclient-v4.22-9634-beta-2016.11.27-windows-x86_x64-intel.exe )
So I tried this old download, and this time, the .exe file ran normally. I set up berlin . https://imgur.com/C4wA45E
All connections so far have been successful,

_.______________________________________
_.___________
Current conclusions ( Vista/ OpenVPN ).

It seems now that one of my last main remaining issues, ( OpenVPN / Vista ) is close to, if not completely, solved. ( I just need to try other locations, and possibly try the older Clients on my other machines , just for completeness and comparison.) Thanks for sticking with me on this one, your support has been very helpful.
My initial conclusions are that the instillation using version 2 4 7 I607 Win 7 seems to have a problem when attempting to install on a vista machine: something seems to go wrong with the TAP instillation. Using the 2 3 18-I001-i686 version does not seem to have this problem.

Just some thoughts........ I suppose it makes some sense to try older Clients if using older operating systems… ? I wonder if a "rule of thumb" could be to try a version whose issue date is close to and/or shortly after the most recent Windows update that is on the computer on which you want to install the Client. My reason for suggesting this is that I presume the people who write this software would routinely be testing their software on a fairly up to date system which would likely have the most recent windows updates of that time.

**DocAElstein** · 07-29-2018, 01:31 PM

kjghjgjgjhgjgkjhgjhgjhg

**DocAElstein** · 07-29-2018, 01:33 PM

Sample test results for code from last post ( http://www.excelfox.com/forum/showth...0758#post10758 )

Using Excel 2007 32 bit

Original

Test Output

NEW

Assembly #:

Assembly Name:

Assembly #:

Assembly Name:

Qty Per

Ref/Designator

Description

Customer PN

Internal PN

Manufacture PN

Qty Per

Ref/Designator

Description

Customer PN

Internal PN

Manufacture PN

1

Nu Torque

13456

456

1

Nu Torque

13456

456

1

Blu Origin

Spaceship

457

1

Blu Origin

Spaceship

457

2

Jet Blue21

ABC

458

2

Jet Blue21 < > Jet Blue23

ABC

458 < > DEF

2

Jet Blue23

ABC

DEF

3

EXCELL123

123

ABC

3

EXCELL123

123

ABC

3

Toyota

Supra

460

3

Toyota

Supra

460

2

Emirate

ABC12345

461

2

Emirate

ABC12345

461

1

Angel

ABC12346

462

MISSING: 1

MISSING: Angel

MISSING: ABC12346

MISSING: 462

2

Jet Blue21

ABC

458

Worksheet: Result

Using Excel 2007 32 bit

Test Output	Test Output	Test Output	Test Output	Test Output




2	Jet Blue21 < > Jet Blue23	ABC	458 < > DEF	458 < > DEF



MISSING: 1	MISSING: Angel	MISSING: ABC12346	MISSING: 462	MISSING: 462

Worksheet: Result

**DocAElstein** · 07-29-2018, 12:00 PM

Current conclusions ( Vista/ OpenVPN ).

It seems now that one of my last main remaining issues, ( OpenVPN / Vista ) is close to, if not completely, solved. ( I just need to try other locations, and possibly try the older Clients on my other machines , just for completeness and comparison.) Thanks for sticking with me on this one, your support has been very helpful.
My initial conclusions are that the instillation using version 2 4 7 I607 Win 7 seems to have a problem when attempting to install on a vista machine: something seems to go wrong with the TAP instillation. Using the 2 3 18-I001-i686 version does not seem to have this problem.

Just some thoughts........ I suppose it makes some sense to try older Clients if using older operating systems… ? I wonder if a "rule of thumb" could be to try a version whose issue date is close to and/or shortly after the most recent Windows update that is on the computer on which you want to install the Client. My reason for suggesting this is that I presume the people who write this software would routinely be testing their software on a fairly up to date system which would likely have the most recent windows updates of that time.

I'm glad to hear it is working now on both Vista computers and OpenVPN issues is a bit strange but I'm glad to hear the issue with OpenVPN on your Windows XP machine also sorted itself without additional intervention, [/size][/color]
I will also prepare some configuration files for your computers with TCP mode in the settings as some service providers throttle UDP based protocols and TCP based protocol might work better for you.
Try this configuration file from (here) and download this one from (here).
Just make sure you don't start VPN connection on your XP computer with both SoftEther while OpenVPN connection was already active.
Some configuration files (openvpn-berlin and openvpn-berlin-21) won't work on older OpenVPN client versions since the configuration files have tls crypt which is not supported on OpenVPN 2.3 versions. You can download configuration files for Windows XP and Vista from your Members area as it still provides older versions.
Openvpn-berlin and openvpn-berlin-21 configuration files you can use with OpenVPN 2.4. on Windows 7, 8 and Windows 10.
It's nice to hear that OpenVPN consistently is now working on Vista.
Sorry to hear about issues with downloading SoftEther and on one of your computers you can also try using this link to check if there are any issues with downloading - http://www.softether-download.com/fi..._x64-intel.exe
The version you've successfully downloaded and installed is the build from 2016 and as you noticed it does make sense to try out older version as compatibility issues are resolved - https://www.softether-download.com/f..._x64-intel.exe
And you can try this build on Windows XP machine as well.
Just out of interest here are some more results:
Another Vista.. (Acer Aspire Lap top 7535G )
OpenVPN 2 3 18-I001 TAP-Windows 9 9 2
https://build.openvpn.net/downloads/...-I001-i686.exe
Berlin.ovpn ___ OK
Berlin-tcp.ovpn __ OK
openvpn-berlin.ovpn ___ FAIL
openvpn-berlin-21.ovpn ___ FAIL
Netherlands-ip-tcp.ovpn ___ OK

XP ( LG X120 )
OpenVPN 2 3 18 I001 TAP-Windows 9 9 2
https://build.openvpn.net/downloads/...-I001-i686.exe
Berlin.ovpn ___ OK
Berlin-tcp.ovpn __ OK
openvpn-berlin.ovpn ___ FAIL
openvpn-berlin-21.ovpn ___ FAIL
Netherlands-ip-tcp.ovpn ___ OK

( In all cases , in the connection to Netherlands-ip-tcp.ovpn , a Username and Password is asked for.
In the successful connection for openvpn-berlin.ovpn and openvpn-berlin-21.ovpn a Username and Password is asked for. ( https://imgur.com/hoW7853 )
In all cases , in the connection to Berlin.ovpn and Berlin-tcp.ovpn , a Username and Password is Not asked for )

My results are consistent with your comments about OpenVPN client versions and configuration files.

_.______________________-

[size=2] I have download and made a back up of all the current Windows OpenVPN
config files from the hide.me Members area.

_.______________________-

Hello Alan,
Thanks for the feedback regarding re-enabling adapter. How many devices (computers/phones) do you have active on your network? Could be an issue with the router and DHCP and the older version of Windows.
It's nice to hear that OpenVPN works nicely and while this fix for SoftEther helped but security-wise, we can't recommend the use of XP and I would recommend to use at least Windows 7 since you already have it set up. If I remember correctly Windows 7 VPN setup was working quite nicely for you but in case you opt for the use of XP and Vista having operational both OpenVPN and now SoftEther is a nice addition.

**DocAElstein** · 07-30-2018, 12:38 PM

Code for alternative(2) output
In support of this post:
http://www.excelfox.com/forum/showth...0764#post10764

Code:

Sub TestyCalls() ' http://www.excelfox.com/forum/showthread.php/2277-Vba-button-Comparison-data-between-two-file-or-two-tabs?p=10741#post10741
' Call Testie(Worksheets("Original"), Worksheets("NEW"))
' Call Testy(Worksheets("Original"), Worksheets("NEW"))
' Call Testies(Worksheets("Original"), Worksheets("NEW"))
' Call Tests28July(Worksheets("Original"), Worksheets("NEW"))
 Call Out2Testies(Worksheets("Original"), Worksheets("NEW"))
End Sub
Sub Out2Testies(Ws1 As Worksheet, Ws2 As Worksheet)
Rem 1 Worksheet data info
'1a capture data
'1a(i) last data rows
Dim lr1_1 As Long, Lr1_2 As Long, Lr2_1 As Long, Lr2_2 As Long, Lr1 As Long, lr2 As Long
 Let lr1_1 = Ws1.Cells(Rows.Count, 1).End(xlUp).row
 Let Lr1_2 = Ws1.Cells(Rows.Count, 2).End(xlUp).row: Lr2_1 = Ws2.Cells(Rows.Count, 1).End(xlUp).row: Lr2_2 = Ws2.Cells(Rows.Count, 2).End(xlUp).row
    If lr1_1 > Lr1_2 Then
     Let Lr1 = lr1_1
    Else
     Let Lr1 = Lr1_2
    End If
 Let lr2 = Lr2_2: If Lr2_1 > Lr2_2 Then Let lr2 = Lr2_1
'1a(ii) capture data into arrays in one go
Dim arrSht1() As Variant, arrSht2() As Variant
 Let arrSht1() = Ws1.Range("B1:G" & Lr1 & "").Value
 Let arrSht2() = Ws2.Range("B1:G" & Lr1 & "").Value
Rem 2 arrays for check and output
Dim arrSht1b() As String, arrOut() As String, arrSht1Chk() As String, arrSht2Chk() As String, arrSht2ChkKopie() As String
'2a size arrays to that of sheet 2 data
' ReDim arrSht1b(1 To UBound(arrSht2(), 1), 1 To UBound(arrSht2(), 2))
' ReDim arrOut(1 To UBound(arrSht2(), 1), 1 To UBound(arrSht2(), 2) - 1) ' -1 as one column , D is not required
 ReDim arrOut(1 To UBound(arrSht2(), 1), 1 To 1) ' arrOut() is now only one column, as I am using the concatenated string in the output
 ReDim arrSht1Chk(1 To UBound(arrSht1(), 1))
 ReDim arrSht2Chk(1 To UBound(arrSht2(), 1))
 ReDim arrSht2ChkKopie(1 To UBound(arrSht2(), 1))
'2b make check arrays                                                                                                                                                                       fill modified sheet 1 array, arrSht1b() , initially with sheet 1 data
Dim Cnt As Long
    For Cnt = 1 To UBound(arrSht1(), 1) Step 1
'     Let arrSht1b(Cnt, 1) = arrSht1(Cnt, 1): Let arrSht1b(Cnt, 2) = arrSht1(Cnt, 2)
'     Let arrSht1Chk(Cnt) = arrSht1(Cnt, 1) & "|" & arrSht1(Cnt, 2)
     Let arrSht1Chk(Cnt) = arrSht1(Cnt, 1) & "  " & arrSht1(Cnt, 2) & "  " & arrSht1(Cnt, 4) & "  " & arrSht1(Cnt, 5) & "  " & arrSht1(Cnt, 6)
    Next Cnt
    For Cnt = 1 To UBound(arrSht2(), 1) Step 1
'     Let arrSht2Chk(Cnt) = arrSht2(Cnt, 1) & "|" & arrSht2(Cnt, 2)
      Let arrSht2Chk(Cnt) = arrSht2(Cnt, 1) & "  " & arrSht2(Cnt, 2) & "  " & arrSht2(Cnt, 4) & "  " & arrSht2(Cnt, 5) & "  " & arrSht2(Cnt, 6)
    Next Cnt
 Let arrSht2ChkKopie() = arrSht2Chk() ' Arrays of same size and type can be assiigned to eachother
'2c make contents of array for output initially all dat from NEW
    For Cnt = 1 To UBound(arrSht2(), 1) Step 1
     Let arrOut(Cnt, 1) = arrSht2Chk(Cnt)
    Next Cnt
Rem 3 main loop   ' == Start Main loop ================
    For Cnt = 1 To UBound(arrSht1(), 1) Step 1 ' Counting at each row of NEW
    Dim MtchRes As Variant
     Let MtchRes = Application.Match(arrSht1Chk(Cnt), arrSht2Chk(), 0)
'        If IsError(MtchRes) Then ' case data is MISSING: NEW ( MISSING: ) ' This straight forward modification to the existing code will not work. This is because the code modifies the check array , arrSht2Chk() , when  checking for the data from Original in NEW
'         Let arrOut(Cnt, 1) = "Missing: " & arrSht1(Cnt, 1): arrOut(Cnt, 2) = "MISSING:: " & arrSht1(Cnt, 2)
'        Else:
        '3a(ii) action whilst match is found --Inner Loop------
            Do While Not IsError(MtchRes) ' The 3a Loop
            Dim DupyCnt As Long: Let DupyCnt = DupyCnt + 1
                If DupyCnt > 1 Then
                 Let arrOut(MtchRes, 1) = "Dup   " & DupyCnt & " of " & arrSht2ChkKopie(MtchRes)
                Else
                 Let arrOut(MtchRes, 1) = ""
                End If
                 Let arrSht2Chk(MtchRes) = "" ' remove entry in check array so that next line can look for possible duplicate
             Let MtchRes = Application.Match(arrSht1Chk(Cnt), arrSht2Chk(), 0)
            Loop ' ----------------------------------------
'        End If '
     Let DupyCnt = 0 ' reset the Duplicated data count for next row of data in Original
    Next Cnt ' ========= End Main loop ================= effectively we go to next row of data in Original with this line
Rem 3b Second Loop   ' ##### Start Second  loop #####
    For Cnt = 1 To UBound(arrSht1(), 1) Step 1 ' Counting at each row of NEW
    'Dim MtchRes As Variant
     Let MtchRes = Application.Match(arrSht1Chk(Cnt), arrSht2ChkKopie, 0)
        If IsError(MtchRes) Then ' case data is missing NEW ( MISSING: )
         Let arrOut(Cnt, 1) = "MISSING:   " & arrSht1Chk(Cnt)
        Else
        End If '
     Let DupyCnt = 0 ' reset the Duplicated data count for next row of data in Original
    Next Cnt ' ##### End Second Loop #################       effectively we go to next row of data in Original with this line
Rem 3c(i) Third Loop  ' @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
    For Cnt = 1 To UBound(arrOut(), 1) Step 1 ' Counting at each row of output arrray
        If InStr(1, arrOut(Cnt, 1), "MISSING:", vbBinaryCompare) <> 1 Then
            If arrOut(Cnt, 1) <> "" Then  '
             Let arrOut(Cnt, 1) = arrSht1Chk(Cnt) & "    < >    " & arrOut(Cnt, 1)
            Else
            End If
        Else ' case we have a Missing row, so no action in Third Loop 3c
        End If
    Next Cnt ' @@@@@ End Third Loop  ' @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@


Rem 5 Output in new file For testing purposes, I give the output in a third worksheet, Tabelle3
Dim Ws3 As Worksheet: Set Ws3 = ThisWorkbook.Worksheets("Result")
 Ws3.Cells.ClearContents
 Let Ws3.Range("A1:F1").Value = "Original": Ws3.Range("G1").Value = "Test Output": Ws3.Range("H1:M1").Value = "NEW"
 Let Ws3.Range("A2").Resize(UBound(arrSht1(), 1), UBound(arrSht1(), 2)).Value = arrSht1()
 Let Ws3.Range("G2").Resize(UBound(arrOut(), 1), 1).Value = arrOut()
 Let Ws3.Range("H2").Resize(UBound(arrSht2(), 1), UBound(arrSht2(), 2)).Value = arrSht2()
 Ws3.Columns.AutoFit
Rem 6 MsgBox output
' MsgBox Prompt:="Inserted lines is   " & AdedRows & vbCrLf & "Changed cells is  " & DifCnt
End Sub

**DocAElstein** · 07-30-2018, 12:43 PM

Some notes to be added to in preparation for a Tutorial Thread…
http://www.excelfox.com/forum/showth...ll=1#post11652 http://www.excelfox.com/forum/showthread.php/2384-VPN-Forum-access-and-IP-addresse-Tests?p=11652&viewfull=1#post11652
See here for more detailed intro and SoftEther : http://www.excelfox.com/forum/showth...ll=1#post11597

OpenVPN VPN on older computers with Operating systems XP and Vista

Introduction / Comparison with SoftEther
Skip reading this if you have not read the previous posts concerning SoftEther and XP/Vista, ( http://www.excelfox.com/forum/showth...ll=1#post11597 )
I have experienced much more consistent results and less problems with OpenVPN compared with SoftEther on my older computers with Operating systems XP and Vista. Problems are mostly limited to minor inconveniences or very minor irritations. In short: it most always seems to work!
The main points to note:
_ There is a specific older version of the Client installing software recommended to use for XP. The newer versions are not expected to work with XP
_ In my experience, the older version should also be used for Vista: Theoretically the newer versions should work with Vista, but there appears to be a problem installing the TAP Adaptor. ( In my experience the newer versions work OK for Windows 7 and above )
_ The main difference in the Client Software is that you will likely need some extra information, configuration files, from your provider for each Server which you want to use.
This information, which is required for the OpenVPN solution, needs to be placed in your computer in an appropriate way after the main OpenVPN Client Software instillation

Introduction/ Recap
The “thing” enabling your access to the internet, ( the “box” connected to your telephone cable, or the thing in your favorite Coffee bar giving you free internet access), has an identifying number, the “IP address”)
By virtual private network (VPN), in very simplified terms, we are talking here about making it seem to everyone, except very qualified and resourceful computer sources, as if the computer that you are using is somewhere else.
We can use our existing Operating software, or commercially and/ or freely available software , ( often referred to as “Client” software) , or a combination of both, to do something called VPN tunneling. In simple terms the software is used to organize and encrypt what you send to and what you receive from, a Server elsewhere. It does that in such a way that the Server sends and receives as if it had sent itself from that Server: Think of it as you digging a tunnel from your house to the Server. Then you somehow make a connection possibility through various cables from your computer via the tunnel to the Server. You organize the connection such that you can both
use the server as a normal computer surfing the internet,
and
then send back what the Server receives from the internet to your computer via the encrypted connection in the tunnel.
OpenVPN is a freely available software which is part of a “intermediate level” type solution: (Very broadly speaking, there are 3 main ways to get a solution to do this VPN stuff
_ a “low level” solution: In Windows you can set up VPN using existing operating system things, if you know what you are doing.
_ a “high level” solution: Download and install all encompassing “App” provided by a VPN provider. Then click the button do what you want.
_ An intermediate solution, requiring some external software, but also requiring some understanding of your operating system in order to get it working like a an “App”
)In the context of things VPN, a “Client” is only loosely defined. It broadly is referring to the software part of the final VPN tunneling solution that is on the user’s computer

Sign up to a provider/ Obtain access to other Servers
Regardless of how you want to do VPN, you need to get access to one or more Servers. The usual way is to register an account with a company providing this Service: The Service is Basically allowing you access to either their Servers, or the Servers that they have access to for the purposes of providing VPN possibilities.
If you intend using OpenVPN Client software, then there are 4 important things you will most likely need to obtain from your chosen provider. These things you need in order to set up connection possibilities using the OpenVPN Client software:
_ Username ( This may be a single Username, or may be several depending on how the particular provider organizes use of his product ) ;
_ Password ( This may be a single Username, or may be several depending on how the particular provider organizes use of his product ) ;
_ A Server internet address for each Server you want to use ;
_ A configuration file for each Server you want to use . ( Typically this is like a small text file, but has the .ovpn extension, ( https://imgur.com/8JYHMTH ) Some providers will therefore, as an alternative, tell you what information is in such a file for a specific Server. You then make this file yourself as a simple text file, and finally change the extension on the final file from .txt to .ovpn )

Working example. hide.me VPN and OpenVPN client
A general explanation of using a VPN is of little practical use, since the organization of internet and associated network systems within computers, in windows, is an imprecise jumbled up mess. I will report on a practical working example from start to finish. The example will use the provider hide.me. They have a free and paid service which from the perspective of the initial setting up is similar. But note that the configuration files are only available for the paid service from hide.me

I will cover the operating systems of XP, Vista in the next few post. Later I may cover newer operating systems.

**DocAElstein** · 07-31-2018, 12:54 PM

Example of VPN with OpenVPN in Operating System XP

For OpenVPN use, We have broadly speaking two things to do.
_Part 1 The Client instillation to make the GUI available on our computer
_ Part 2 …further work not directly in the GUI to make the GUI have connection possibilities for one or more Servers

Part 1
Installing OpenVPN Client Software
Download and Open/run this software:
'openvpn-install-2.3.18-I001-i686.exe' https://app.box.com/s/wykxqmh0c4wi9o2upoipzbo5z32zt16z
The installation process is standard and straight forward, typically 6 steps: https://imgur.com/8SvE5Xf ,
But some things to note :
Step 3: The instillation should also install the required TAP adaptor, if you do not already have one of the type required.
Make sure at this Step of the instillation that the option is checked to Install this TAP adaptor, https://imgur.com/riN5CtP , https://imgur.com/6VqsAoj
If the instillation intends to create the required TAP adaptor, you may see a pop up warning about problems, https://imgur.com/s9bgnNc , https://imgur.com/5Xc8K35 , !!! https://imgur.com/bS6Cbn0 !!! . I have often seen these warnings, but so far have never experienced problems which I have been able to trace back to this “compatibility” issue. So I have always just continued the instillation at this point, https://imgur.com/VK7pT4R
You can check to see if the instillation of the TAP adaptor takes place
_ By observing the representations of your various adaptors in the Network Connections Console, before and after the instillation ( See here http://www.excelfox.com/forum/showth...ll=1#post11761 for info about getting to Network Connections Console in XP )
Before OpenVPN Instillation:
https://imgur.com/2VRDnyc , https://imgur.com/s8s5o3d Attachment 2548 Attachment 2549

After OpenVPN Instillation
https://imgur.com/s8s5o3d , https://imgur.com/92I4aeu Attachment 2550 Attachment 2551
_ In addition . if things have gone OK, then you should see two new entries in Control panel ---- Software .
Navigate to Control Panel: https://imgur.com/oS37gjp , https://imgur.com/BvnEjbG
Then select something like Software or Add or Remove Software https://imgur.com/BgX4zlK , https://imgur.com/tIcnBwa
Step 4 : make a note of the URL path of the Install location. You will need to go there later for the extra work required after the instillation.
( You can copy it from the URL bar as it is highlighted ). Typically the default location is something like C:\Programme\OpenVPN or C:\Program\OpenVPN . You can also choose a different location by manually typing it or via the Browse… button. Note that you do not need to include the last bit , \OpenVPN , as this is always added. If you do include this, then your last part of the URL will look like this: \OpenVPN\OpenVPN ) I chose for this example an untypical place, in this a case a few folders down in my desktop: C:\Dokumente und Einstellungen\Alan\Desktop\VPN\OpenVPN Client\OpenVPN https://imgur.com/XndDiM4

The instillation is finished at this point, but there is further work to do….
You can run by using the Client General User Interface, GUI. To use the OpenVPN GUI, double click on the desktop icon or start menu icon which should have been created by the instillation . This starts the OpenVPN Client software. The OpenVPN GUI is a what is known as a “system-tray applet”, so an icon for the GUI will now appear in the lower-right corner of the screen. It should be a small grey rectangle with a padlock on at this stage, https://imgur.com/4WPc3SJ
Right click on this system tray icon, and a menu should appear. But you will only see the options of Settings… and Exit https://imgur.com/Ut7mvOL , … …but…there is further work to do , such that other options become available to allow you to select ( if you set up more than one Sever connection ) the Server you want, and then to make the live connection
Finally you would see something like this when right clicking on the system tray icon:
For one Server : https://imgur.com/1SB5MHj , https://imgur.com/Qki76HF
For more than one Server https://imgur.com/9vjrEUo , https://imgur.com/cqjB2gx , https://imgur.com/8rMFE3I
_...But there is further work to do to get that far