has anyone successfully been able to set up pptpd on debian on linode?

Im basicly trying to set up a vpn server (compatible with winxp) that creates a local area network between the vpn connected clients.

Im getting wierd error msgs left right and centre.. thats when it actually connects.. ppp seems to crash constantly..

anyone have a howto or know how to set this up properly? or anyone else had the same kinda problems

<log extracts>
with a custom compiled ppp :-

Nov 2 13:58:53 manticore pptpd[2710]: CTRL: Client 210.49.74.174 control connection started
Nov 2 13:58:54 manticore pptpd[2710]: CTRL: Starting call (launching pppd, opening GRE)
Nov 2 13:58:54 manticore pptpd[2710]: CTRL: Ignored a SET LINK INFO packet with real ACCMs!
Nov 2 13:58:54 manticore pptpd[2710]: GRE: read(fd=4,buffer=804e6c0,len=8196) from PTY failed: status = -1 error = Input/output error, usually caused by unexpected termination of pppd, check option syntax and pppd logs
Nov 2 13:58:54 manticore pptpd[2710]: CTRL: PTY read or GRE write failed (pty,gre)=(4,5)
Nov 2 13:58:54 manticore pptpd[2710]: CTRL: Reaping child PPP[2711]
Nov 2 13:58:54 manticore pptpd[2710]: CTRL: Client 210.49.74.174 control connection finished

with default ppp
Nov 2 14:03:04 manticore pptpd[2762]: CTRL: Client 210.49.74.174 control connection started
Nov 2 14:03:04 manticore pptpd[2762]: CTRL: Starting call (launching pppd, opening GRE)
Nov 2 14:03:04 manticore pptpd[2762]: GRE: read(fd=4,buffer=804e6c0,len=8196) from PTY failed: status = -1 error = Input/output error, usually caused by unexpected termination of pppd, check option syntax and pppd logs
Nov 2 14:03:04 manticore pptpd[2762]: CTRL: PTY read or GRE write failed (pty,gre)=(4,5)
Nov 2 14:03:04 manticore pptpd[2762]: CTRL: Reaping child PPP[2763]
Nov 2 14:03:04 manticore pptpd[2762]: CTRL: Client 210.49.74.174 control connection finished
</log etracts>

any help would be great

I've gotten it to work, by dispensing with the Debian ppp package and compiling ppp-2.4.2 from a tarball, along with PoPToP. However, I have not been able to get MPPE encryption to work, even with kernels that have had MPPE support compiled in. I've abandoned the idea of using a VPN to the Linode because of this. By comparison, my FC1 box at home works fine with MPPE. I might try OpenVPN some time (it's SSL-based rather than PPTP), but I'll need to get some more round tuits before trying it. The drawback, of course, is that Windows doesn't have built-in OpenVPN support...

_________________
Bus error (passengers dumped)

So i managed to find a patch for ppp that fixes the mppe type thing problem and i log in, it says registering on the network, ten it crashes.. now i think that just might be my firewall at home.. but i still need to check that.. effort of unpluging cable modem from router and directly into my computer is still very hard to find at the moment

ill check it after work tonite and get back to you guys..
i think it should be doable

cheers
NF