PPTP VPN via Windows Vista Home Premium

[Gondor]

I figured beforehand that it was likely possible since XP could do it, but wasnt sure since they nerfed so much stuff in Vista.

Now, I understand that Vista is the root of all evil, but its what is being run on the PC I need to VPN to.

So I followed the directions located on this site for setting up an inbound VPN connection on Vista Home Premium.

Windows Vista PPTP VPN server Mini How-To

Basically I wanted my VNC connection to be a bit more secure, in addition to having access to network shares and the whole deal.

This is what the network looks like:

HomePC (running Vista Home Premium) (proper VNC and RDP ports are open in the Windows Firewall)
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Netgear WPN824v2 (PPTP passthrough is enabled)
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Cable Internet Modem (COX Cable)
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<Internet>
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My laptop, connecting via standard Windows XP VPN connection


So here is the issue.

BEFORE I connect to it I can connect via VNC just fine, I have the proper ports forwarded, all that good stuff, I connect to VNC via the Public IP address on the router. This has always worked, but it is not my desired result any longer, so I dont want to use it.

SO INSTEAD

I connect to the network via the PPTP VPN Tunnel I have configured. The connection establishes successfully, I can ping the internal IP addresses on the PC and the Netgear router, in addition, I can browse the Internet through the router (whatsmyip.org reports my IP address as being my IP at home, not my remote IP, as it should for a successful VPN). I can access file shares on the Vista PC.

BUT

I am unable to do ANYTHING with the Vista PC (except file shares). I cannot connect to VNC or Remote Desktop with public OR private IP addresses, no matter the port. However, file shares and pings are still successful. I am definately still connected to the VPN.

THE INTERESTING PART IS

After I disconnect from the VPN I cannot connect to the previously working publicly available VNC port that I have configured.

IT GETS BETTER

If someone at the house logs into a different account, I can connect on VNC again. Also, if the PC gets rebooted, I can log in on the public VNC connection again, at least until I try to VPN again.


This is most assuredly a Windows Vista issue. Does anyone have any suggestions? I've been attempting to google this problem for 3 days straight now (nearly nonstop).

[boyblue]

Gondor

Have you got the latest firmware installed for the router? I see they have a fix for PPTP.

I was going to try PPTP but my router does not support it.

WPN824v2 Support Page