How to resolve Internet connectivity problems in FORScan for Windows

[FORScan]

Starting from version 2.3.66 (2.4.18), the third-party library Curl is used as the default Internet API. This change is intended to resolve issues B (B1, B2) and ensure proper network functionality on older, unsupported Windows OS versions (XP, Vista, 7, 8).


Modern versions of FORScan use Internet connection for the following purposes:

1. Actvate paid Extended License
2. Check for new versions of FORScan (updates)
3. Load configuration and programming files (As Built data, solenoid strategy files, firmware PHF/VBF files etc)
4. Perform "security critical" functions that cannot be executed locally (such as new PATS incode/outcode calculation).

Internet can be used once to activate the license (item #1). Item #2 is not critical for the program functioning. Firmware and configuration files (item #3) can be downloaded offline (although not all of them available publicly, some require special access to the car's manufacturer back-end). Item #4 require permanent Internet connectivity. So in summary, Internet connectivity becomes a major requirement for FORScan. In the meantime, many users experience problems with it. This article tries to explain the nature of these problems and how to fix it.

First of all, it must be counted that FORScan uses standard Windows API to access the Internet. "Standard Windows API" means a set of built-in Windows functions that is recommended by Microsoft for application developers. Thus, many applications use it, including Internet Explorer and Microsoft Edge. Unfortunately, as it often happens in Windows, using the "recommended" way doesn't gurantee absence of problems. Let's review most popular of these problems, as well as solutions:

A. Antivirus software / Internet security blocks FORScan outbound connections on user's computer. Normally, user must be informed about such attempts, but as experience shows it will not always happen. The simplest way to check the case - disable the firmwall and/or anti-virus temporarily. if the problem is solved, FORScan must be whitelisted (added to the list of safe applications) in the firewall/antivirus settings. Important note: the firewall/antivirus must not be disabled permanently!

B. It is important to know that Internet Explorer and Microsoft Edge settings are used by the Windows WinInet API functions. If these settings are wrong (for example, too strict or too hard, use non-working VPN or proxy etc), then FORScan will not be able to establish an Internet connection. Many users don't use Internet Explorer or Microsoft Edge in their daily work, so may forget or not know about problems with IE settings. The simplest way to check this case is to open FORScan site using Internet Explorer browser (or Microsoft Edge if IE is not available). If the site doesn't open, the problem should be researched:

B1. If wrong Internet Explorer settings is the case, then these settings must be fixed.

B2. If Internet Explorer throws SSL certificate error, then date on the computer must be checked. If the date is correct, then:
- in case of Windows 7, Windows 8. Windows Server 2012: install the last version of Internet Explorer from Microsoft.
- in case of Windows versions older than Windows 7 (Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows Server 2008) - unfortunately, there is no known solutions for these OS.

C. Geo-blocking issues. This type of problems usually can be fixed on user's end only by using VPN.

Advanced users can find additional diagnostics information about Internet connectivity problems in the FORScan.log file (Windows Start button -> All applications -> FORScan->Log folder). Usually it looks as the following:

ERROR_REQUEST_12007

The code at the end (12007 in this case) is important. It is standard Windows error code. The 12xxx codes in Windows are specially reserved for Internet connectivity issues. All codes can be easily found in the Internet, for example. Typical WinInet error codes in case of FORScan:

12007, 12029 - Internet connection is completely missing or blocked.
12031 - Connection is blocked by a firewall/antivirus or ISP. If this error happens once, it may be just a network failure.
12037 - Wrong date on user's computer
12045 - Outdated Internet Explorer version is used, see case B2 above.
12152, 12157 - other SSL problems: either wrong computer settings, or using wrong VPN/Proxy

D. End user IP was blocked by mistake in our firewall.

We experience spam/DDOS attacks periodically and have to block networks that were source of the attack. Sometimes we block too big range of networks that affect normal users.If you suspect your IP is blocked, please address the problem as the following:

- Find our your external IP (for example, using this service).
- Send the bug report and IP to our support

[niuyongjin12345]

The license cannot be registered, and it shows that it cannot connect to the FORS server. I have turned off all the firewalls in my computer settings, but it still doesn't work. I am in China, please help, thank you!