An error occured connecting to the ATC server

[Vybiral]

Hi again , Keith!
I'm going to keep working on this until I can join you some Sunday evening!
Status: MSFS-X with SP-2 installed and running on Windows 7 64-bit machine, 12G RAM. Original SB removed and replaced with SB4 PE version. VFR flight plans loaded in both FS-X & SB4 PE. Airplane parked on ramp, avionics on.
No windows are maximized. No unneccessary programs are running: just MSFS-X and SB4 PE, as far as I know.
All SB4 PE fields are "populated". When I hit the SB4 PE "Connect" button, I get a "Status" window that says,
"An error occured connecting to the Air Traffic Control server". [Close]. My Internet connection indicates TX & RX
In the window labeled, "SquawkBox_PE for Microsoft Flight Simulator", I get red text on black background that says,
[ERROR] Protocol error:
MSFS-X is still running just fine, including all avionics.
Please help. Can't wait to join you one of the Sunday evenings. Many thanks! Respectfully,
John Vybiral, Diamond pilot out of KPVF, who is THRILLED to get my 3rd class medical renewed for another year!

[Keith Smith]

Hi John,

Welcome back. What choice of server name(s) are listed prior to hitting the connect button?

[Vybiral]

Hi, Keith, thanks for your help and patience.
The two choices are:
PILOTEDGE: PilotEdge
and
PILOTEDGE: PilotEdge Dev
John, KPVF

[Keith Smith]

John,

Very good. Verify you're selecting the main PE server (not DEV), and that you don't have any firewall in Win7 that might be blocking the connection?

[Vybiral]

Hi Keith,

Thank you for your reply and help. Maybe we are making progress. This is why it's called "BETA", right?

OK. Turned off ESET firewall and ALL ESET protection, after a reboot. Using PILOTEDGE: PilotEdge Server, not PILOTDGE: PilotEdge Dev. MSFS-X running fine. A/C parked at KPVF ramp with avionics on. Flight plans loaded, KPVF > KMHR. When I hit the "Connect" button, a very quick message flashes by saying, "Sending Log-In Info".. or something like that... it goes by very, very fast. Then, the same error message as before, and
"[ERROR] Protocol error:".

Respectfully,
John Vybiral, NorCal

[Keith Smith]

Verify you're using your first name and last name in the appropriate fields, and the password 'beta' ?

[Keith Smith]

John,

I see that you're connected now. I'm guessing the password fixed it. That 'connect' page on the web site is important reading, no doubt about it

[Vybiral]

THAT WAS IT! THANK YOU!

I was using the PE Forums password, when I should have been using the password "beta"!

I need another checklist... for using SB4 PE.

Thanks again, Keith!

Respectfully,
John Vybiral

[Keith Smith]

Great to hear, John. No need to wait until next Sunday, by the way. We're now running the beta 7 nights a week and would love the traffic to assist with our controller training prior to launch. See the home page on the site for the focus airport schedule for the week.

[Vybiral]

Thanks, Keith. Would love to join you guys tonite, but my 90-year-old Dad is in the hospital, ICU. I should be with him as much as possible before he "flys West into the sunset forever".
Respectfully,
John