win2000 backup server needs access to win7 pcs

Hi,

I have a backup server which is running windows 2000 and it needs full access (or access to all the files I need backed up) to my windows 7 pcs.

I am lost. Can anyone help me?

Thanks,
Rusty

From what I remember, you have to set Windows 7 to work in a Workgroup, not a home group. Homegroups are a new networking tool which only works in 7. So, create a Workgroup, set it to password access or whatever your preference is and do the same on Win 2000. As long as you haven't got any firewalls or other obstructions it should work pretty easily.

Workgroups - Win 2000 - http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd277422.aspx
Workgroups - Win 7 - http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Join-or-create-a-workgroup

File Permissions in 7:
Windows 7 Take Ownership & Grant Permissions to Access Files & Folder

Notsograymatter,
Thanks for your quick reply! The PCs are in the same workgroup however, I did set up that new Homegroups feature with my two other win7 PCs. So if I understand you, this Homegroup is preventing access and I need to remove it. I also need to explicitly setup a workgroup too? Just specifying the Workgroup names is not enough?

Thanks!
Rusty

I removed the win7 pc from the Homegroup... same thing. On the win2000 pc the message is:

Virtualmedia is not accessible
Access is Denied

What's really weird is I tried to connect to my other two win7 PCs from the win2000 PCs and it worked fine!! And these PCs are still on the Homegroup. Now I'm really stumped!

The only difference I know of is that this PC (the one I can connect to) is a 64 bit system.

Rusty

So what you're saying is that you can't even connect to the system, never mind the hardware?

The Homegroup feature can be turned on I think, but you still need the workgroup, that was my point. You might as well just run all of the PC's through the workgroup.

I have no idea why you can't access the Win7 computer. I can't find many resources on networking Win7 w/ Win2000 so I have no idea what's causing the error. Not to mention the fact that its odd that Win2000 is calling your Win7 machine Virtual Media.

The only thing I can think of is to reset all of your networking settings and then try again, since your other PCs are accesible, maybe its an extra setting you hit.

I've done a lot of trouble shooting since my last post... the win2000 pc can not even ping virtualmedia (the name of the win7 pc) nor ping its ip address. One thing I'm thinking is that the PC name virtualmedia is longer then any other pc name but... I could not ping its ip address so... that's probably not the problem. I've reset my network switch and router and checked the DNS server, network mask, ip address... I'm rebooting the win2000 system (when all else fails LOL) and googleing "win 2000 network 64 bit". I use to be a network administrator in the early 90s, it's kind of coming back to me, LOL.

I want to thank you for trying to help... this is a weird problem.

With all the computers in the same workgroup, try setting up static IP's.
Assuming your DHCP can hand out the same IP you can leave all the PC's on DHCP and configure the server to always hand out the same IP to a given PC. Otherwise you will need to set static IP's throughout. Exactly why this works I am not sure, but it has worked for many.

Duke of Alinor,

Thank you for the suggestion! I hate doing this... I've done it before long ago but had to change it back for some reason... can't remember what. I'll try it and see what happens.

It now appears that a second PC running XP can not see the PC either. It seems like only the Win7 PCs can 'see' this 64 bit machine. My older PCs see the other two win7 32 bit PCs and each other.

I updated the drivers for all the network cards btw.

Thanks,
Rusty

rustyw said:

I've done a lot of trouble shooting since my last post... the win2000 pc can not even ping virtualmedia (the name of the win7 pc) nor ping its ip address. One thing I'm thinking is that the PC name virtualmedia is longer then any other pc name but... I could not ping its ip address so... that's probably not the problem. I've reset my network switch and router and checked the DNS server, network mask, ip address... I'm rebooting the win2000 system (when all else fails LOL) and googleing "win 2000 network 64 bit". I use to be a network administrator in the early 90s, it's kind of coming back to me, LOL.

I want to thank you for trying to help... this is a weird problem.

Click to expand...

Ok... several problems here...

1) Computer names are limited to 11 characters in length.
2) In mixed operating system environments you are NOT going to get home networking to work at all ... believe me, been there, tried that, got the scars to show for it.

Leave your windows 2000 machine alone. If it was working with XP... it will still work here...

On the Win7 machines...

Control Panel -> System -> Advanced System Settings -> Computer Name
Pick names for the computers 11 characters or less.
Put all computers in the same workgroup as the Win2000 machine. (i.e. copy it from the same spot on that machine)
OK your way out...
Reboot when prompted.

Control Panel -> Network and sharing -> Change adaptor settings -> Local Area Connection -> Right click -> Properties
Uncheck Internet Protocal TCPIP V6
Uncheck Link Layer Topology Responder
Uncheck Link Layer Topology Mapper
Now Highlight TCPIP v4 and click properties.
In this dialog make sure the "Obtain IP Address Automatically " is marked
Also make sure "Obtain DNS Server address Automatically" is marked.
Ok your way out of there...
Reboot your system


Control Panel -> Folder Options -> View
Uncheck "Use File Sharing Wizard"


Control Panel -> Network and Sharing -> Network
If it says anything other than "Work Network" click on what it does say and select "Work Network" from the resulting dialog.

Control Panel -> Network and Sharing -> Advanced Sharing Settings -> Home or Work
Turn on Network Discovery
Turn on File and printer sharing
Turn OFF public folder sharing
Turn OFF any multimedia cataloging options
Enable File Sharing with devices that use 40 or 50 bit encryption
Turn OFF pasword protected sharing
Enable "Use Usernames and Passwords to connect to other computers"
Apply changes then Reboot again.


At this point all machines should see each other and themselves in your Network folder.

Now the task is to set up your folder shares...
On whatever folders you want shared...

Right Click the folder -> Sharing ->Advanced Sharing -> Advanced Sharing
Check the box that says "Share this folder"
Select a name for the share (it will default to the folder name)
Click OK

Now you have read only sharing set up for "Everyone"... You should be able to log into all the machines from each other... you will be asked for a user name and password, enter the account name etc for the TARGET machine, not the one you are sitting at. Check the remember me box and you won't be asked again...

To take this to the next level, where people can add, change, delete and move files around...
Go back to the sharing dialog and click Permissions... Enter the usernes from the computer you are at who you want to have added permissions... highlight them and then select "Full Control" at the bottom... those users will now have full priveledges on that share only...

Whew... I hope this helps...

Dear CommonTater,

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it."
But I'd still be on Windows95.

Thank you for all the effort you put into your reply! You will be rewarded in the after life!

Can't wait to try it! Unfortunately (or fortunately) my wife and I and our two dogs or leaving for our mountain cabin for some needed R&R. When we return in two weeks I'll try what you suggest.

Cheers,
Rusty

rustyw said:

Dear CommonTater,

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it."
But I'd still be on Windows95.

Thank you for all the effort you put into your reply! You will be rewarded in the after life!

Can't wait to try it! Unfortunately (or fortunately) my wife and I and our two dogs or leaving for our mountain cabin for some needed R&R. When we return in two weeks I'll try what you suggest.

Cheers,
Rusty

Click to expand...

LOL... Take me with you ????

It's been a rough month here too. Enjoy the break!

CommonTater said:

Ok... several problems here...

1) Computer names are limited to 11 characters in length.
2) ...<snip>

Click to expand...

Dear CommonTater,

Thank you so much for all the effort you put into helping me! It worked!! Oh10Q10Q10Q!!

Now I've got another problem with my other PCs which I did the same procedure on. There difference is that they only have a C drive. I turned back on 'Share Common Areas' and on one I can get all the way to User/Documents. But I need to get to <User name>/Documents to back those up and I can't do it. On another PC I can't get to it at all... weird weird weird.

I'll start a new thread for the above problem after I try a few more things.

Cheers,
Rusty

Very Nice Post, RusticSpud

Good reading and some common sense stuff I had not considered. I'm going to give this a whirl tonight to try to ease the XP/Win7 networking fiasco.

Thx for the ilumination.
Gorb

This worked! I was so excited, I forgot to thank you!

Better late than never.