I modified the firmware updater .ini file as suggested in your previous link and got the secret debug menu. Once again it always could find the linkstation but "could not confirm a response" when i tried to update it.
I have shut down zonealarm. Windows firewall is supposed to be off according to the XP security center. However I can't start the XP firewall either "DUE TO AN UNIDENTIFIED PROBLEM". So I wonder if I need to do an XP repair?
Also, I need to try another computer.
I noticed the manual said ports 8873 or 22939 may be used for this update. Is that true?