Hi all,

There are a number of users having problems connecting to the My Movies Server, and since this is typically because of different problems, and users just post a "me too", which does not give details of their problems, then hopefully this topic will help you identify where to look.

First of all, you must closely read the Multi-Zone document, as this solves the problems for most users: http://www.mymovies.dk/how-to/written-documentation.aspx?Page=Multi%20Zone

My Movies have two different "areas" it needs to be able to connect to - one is the actual database, and another is a filestorage area, where all covers and photos, ect. is placed. If you receive a connection error, it will specifically tell you if the problem is connection to the database or to the filestorage.

Notice! My Movies 3 shares the FileStorage to the "Users" group, where My Movies 2 shared to "Everyone". This difference makes it even more important to check corresponding username and password settings.

Please see specific details of what problems can be for the different areas below:

Database

If you are having problems connecting to the database part, please check these things in the following order:

1. In the Collection Management program, select "File", "Connect to Server", and type in the IP number of the server, and not the name of the server. If the server is the local machine, type in 127.0.0.1, which is "localhost". The reason for this is that on some networks, there can be problems with the windows naming services, which you bypass by connecting to the server's IP directly.

2. If you are not able to connect, go back to the server itself, and ensure that you are able to connect using 127.0.0.1 directly. If you are not able to connect to the server on the local machine, then the problem is with the database server itself, and not with connection though network. If you cannot connect to the database on the local machine, go to the Control Panel, Administrative Tools, and open "Services" - check if the service "SQL Server (MYMOVIES)" exists and is started, and that the service "SQL Server Browser" is also started. If both services are started, in your start menu, open "Microsoft SQL Server 2005", "Configuration Tools", "SQL Server Configuration Manager" - open "SQL Server 2005 Network Connection", and click "Protocols MYMOVIES" - check that "Shared Memory", "Named Pipes" and "TCP/IP" is enabled. Notice that the My Movies installer pre-configures and sets all of these things, but various situations, typically manual changes by users can affect the configuration. If you are still not able to connect to 127.0.0.1 on the server itself, and the message still refers to the database, and not file storage, and despite all these settings being correct, please create a topic describing your problem.

3. If you were able to connect to the database on the server itself, but not on a client, the problem is with a firewall, or other network security softwares blocking the connection, given that you are connecting using the IP number. Please re-check that the configuration created in the multi-zone document is correct, and if this does not solve it, try to disable Windows' firewall temporary. If the problem is still not solved, the issue is very likely with other internet security software running on the server, or on the client. Check with internet security or firewall software you have on the server and client, and try disabling it temporary, to see if it solves the problem. If it does solve the problem, you must find a way to create the exceptions in these softwares to allow the connection. If it does not solve the problem, check if there are updated network drivers for your network card on both the server and the client. If going through these things does not solve your problem, create a topic with details.

FileStorage

If you are having problems connecting to the filestorage part, please check these things in the following order:

1. If your problem with connecting to the filestorage is ONLY from a Media Center extender, notice the fact that Media Center extenders can only be connected to the PC that hosts the database, or to a Windows Home Server. If you are connecting to a Windows Home Server, try enabling the "Guest" account on the WHS, if that does not solve it, please create a topic with details.

2. In the Collection Management program, select "File", "Connect to Server", and type in the IP number of the server, and not the name of the server. If the server is the local machine, type in 127.0.0.1, which is "localhost". The reason for this is that on some networks, there can be problems with the windows naming services, which you bypass by connecting to the server's IP directly.

3. If you are not able to connect, go back to the server itself and ensure that you are able to connect using 127.0.0.1 directly. If you are not, please create a topic with details.

4. If you were able to connect on the server itself, but not on the client, first check that the client PC is logged into with a user account, and that user account have a password set. This EXACT user must exist with the exact same username, and the exact same password on the server. Check that this is the case by varifying the username in both places.

5. Check that both the client and the server belongs to the same workgroup, by right clicking "Computer" in the windows start menu, and clicking "Properties". Open "Advanced System Settings" on the left, and choose the "Computer Name" tab - the workgroup will be listed on this page.

6. In your Windows start menu, try typing "\\SERVERIP" (replace serverip with the servers ip address), and press Enter - if you are prompted for a username, then there is a problem with either the username and passwords, or the workgroup not matching. If you are still prompted to enter a password, please create a topic with details.

7. In your Windows start menu, try typing "\\SERVERIP" (replace serverip with the servers ip address), and press Enter - if it says it was unable to connect, the issue is with a firewall, or other network security softwares blocking the connection. Please re-check that the configuration created in the multi-zone document is correct, and if this does not solve it, try to disable Windows' firewall temporary. If the problem is still not solved, the issue is very likely with other internet security software running on the server, or on the client. Check with internet security or firewall software you have on the server and client, and try disabling it temporary, to see if it solves the problem. If it does solve the problem, you must find a way to create the exceptions in these softwares to allow the connection. If it does not solve the problem, check if there are updated network drivers for your network card on both the server and the client. If going through these things does not solve your problem, create a topic with details.
Still having problems?

If you after following this guide still are having connection problems, please create YOUR OWN topic with your issue - do not post in someone elses topic, and do not post here!

Include the following information:

- Does the system tell you if the problem is with the database or filestorage?
- Are you connecting using the IP number?
- Details of settings in all of the above steps you have followed. This is quite a bit of information, but it is important if we should be able to help you from here.

Regards,

Brian

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