Problem with setting up FTP server

I am trying to setup an ftp server on my system to share programs and stuff with friends. I am using guildftp daemon and have gone through all the settings and created user id's and passwords to log exactly who is logged on and what they were doing. I have setup port forwarding in my router and dsl modem to allow port 21 traffic directly to my system. I can ftp into the server from the other computer on my network so I know the router is setup correctly for port forwarding but when a friend tries to connect from the internet whether he uses internet explorer or an ftp client such as smartftp it will not connect. With IE it says it cannot connect to this folder and to make sure you have permission to access it that it timed out. With smartftp it tries connecting and then says that it could not connect that the host machine actively refused the connection. I have checked with my ISP that they do not block port 21 and also on www.canyouseeme.org and it can see the service running but when someone tries to connect nothing. Does anyone out there have any ideas if so let me know cuz I'd really like to get this server up and running this weekend.

If you can connect to the FTP server from another computer on your LAN, but NOT from the internet, then there is a problem with the Firewall or the Port Forwarding in your router.

You need to login to your router and re-configure it.

What make/model of DSL modem and router do you have? I'll find a guide on how to open port 21, and forward it to the correct LAN IP address.

If you can see port 21 is open from the internet, it is very probably it's the port forwarding that's not setup correctly.

Have you given the FTP server a static IP address outside the DHCP range?

I have assigned the router, and the server a static ip and set windows to use static ip instead of automatic. I can ftp out fine using smartftp and connect to microsoft's ftp site. I can ping the server on my lan but a friend tried and it could not ping it. I have set up the dsl modem to forward ports 20, 21, 990, and range 60000-60010 for passive connections to my router's ip. In my router I have forwarded the same ports and enabled ftp virtual server. i have been to numerous sites that talk about port forwarding including www.portforward.com and set them both up exactly how they say to do it. I have tried 3 different servers vista's built in IIS, guildftp, and serv-u and set them all up based on the guides offered for them. I have tried connecting to it through firefox, IE, and smartftp but non of them work. the router is a westell c90-610030-06 and the router is a Zonet ZSR 0104CPv2. I know the server software is running correctly since i can log in from my other computer which also means that the router is set right since it knows to loop to that ip and the ports are open. I have setup the modem 3 times forwarding every combination of ports i can think of to allow passive connections. Please if you or anyone else out there knows how to solve this problem I would be most grateful and would probably create you a login and password for you to access the server as well.

OK mate, I need to clarify a few things for you.

The FTP's functionality over your LAN is NOT affected by your router, and because you can connect to the FTP server software on your LAN does NOT mean the router is correctly configured.

You can contact any computer on the same subnet range as you're on without a router. A router routes between two networks - your LAN and the internet in this case.

Why do you have so many ports open? You should only need one port open at this stage, 21.

Can you fill in the following info for me

FTP Servers LAN IP Address:
Routers LAN IP Address:
Your internet IP address:
External Hostname:

You can PM me a user/pass if you want and I will test it for you.

I'm guessing you've been reading this page:
http://www.portforward.com/english/routers/port_forwarding/Zonet/ZSR0104CPv2/FTP.htm

??

Who's your ISP?

They might have blocked your ability to act as a server. Just a thought, but I"m probably wrong.