SteveMcKeogh.co.uk - Web Developer

Windows XP never had this problem, if you connected to a VPN connection that didn't use the standard 255.255.255.255 Subnet Mask, it wouldn't matter, Windows XP would see this and make the change accordingly. Annoyingly, Windows Vista has a problem with this and it will default you to the 255.255.255.255 Subnet Mask anyway, therefore preventing you from seeing the VPN network.

Well there is a way around this, it's not ideal, but it's the only fix I know of currently.

Firstly connect to your VPN connection like normal, once connected successfully, open up a command prompt and type:

ipconfig

This will bring up several IP addresses, what you want to do is find the VPN connection on this list, it will usually be at the top like:

Now take note of the last set of digits after the final full stop in the IPv4 Address row, in the case of the above its 105.

Keep the command prompt open, and enter:

route add 192.168.16.0 mask 255.255.240.0 192.168.16.*

Replacing * with the digits you just remembered. The above example works for my VPN connection, and changing the Subnet Mask to 255.255.240.0, the other IP addresses will have to be replaced with the equivalent within your VPN connection, but I think it's pretty self explanatory.

After pressing return, you should see:

Ok!

That means all was good and you should now be able to connect to your VPN network like usual.