Not getting to login sequence?

Hi, I used to use smartftp happily for connecting to a TLS secured site. BUt some time ago, it suddenly would not connect to that site anymore. It keeps wating for a login sequence. I still can reach other non-TLS sites.
Here is a log of when I try to connect to the site:


Resolving host name ***.****.net...
Connecting to (***.****.net) -> IP: ***.***.***.*** PORT: 444
Connected to (***.****.net) -> Time = 80ms
Socket connected waiting for login sequence.
Connection timeout. No response from server.
Cannot login waiting to retry (30s)...


Yes, port 444 is the correct port. Also I tried other TLS-capable ftpclients, but these also did not work. So maybe I am missing a certain windows-file needed? But this is only mmy own small guess.
Anyone got an idea how to solve this problem?

oh I am using smartftp 1.0.979 under windows 2000 with mcafee and kerio personal firewall.

The FTP server is offline.

Definitely noy, because i do get a reply from it, and am able to acces it from my linux machine.