jymbo, let me tell u everything!
1.)I guess my proftpd is running from inetd, I uncommented
ftp stream tcp nowait root /sur/sbin/tcpd proftpd.
2.) When I started proftpd with the config file you gave you, it didn't return any errors? It returns nothing at all. If I do "#ps -A | grep proftpd", proftpd is not listed in the return output.
3.) I am using cable high speed connection. I have two computers at home, and they are connected by linksys router.
4.) I ran the line, netstat -al | grep ftp, it returns the exactly output you listed.
5.)However, when I ftp 127.0.0.1, it still says
"421 service is not available, remote server has closed connection."

The config file I gave you is not to be run from inetd.

Comment-out that line "ftp stream tcp nowait root /sur/sbin/tcpd proftpd" from /etc/inetd.

Reboot, then start proftpd from the command prompt. Do the netstat thing I showed you again and verify that Proftpd is listening.

where do I ftp to?
ftp localhost?
or my internal ip?
or my external ip?

Oh my god!!!. This is iirritating. I have done exactly everything you have told me. However, the stupid message keeps popping out. sigh... How can I fix it? I am so desperated.

Proftpd is probably still not starting up.

Disable your inetd server completely:

Reboot.

Check your /etc/proftpd.conf file...make sure this line reads:

Start Proftpd from the command line:

Check to see if Proftpd is listening:

If it is listening, then test it:

no!!!. IT STILL DOESN"T WORK.. I did everything you just told me.. but the same msg pop up..