Topic: Media Server can not connect (Read 5583 times)

Uwe · « **on:** October 14, 2003, 03:34:20 am »

I have two PCs connected over TCP/IP and a HUB. Everything is fine. I can share Volumes and Printers etc. But the Media Server is only working on one PC. When I start the Server on the other PC and try to connect with the other PC there comes an error:
Failed to connect to a server
Reason: unknown
URL:http://xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx:80/GetLibrary

The TCP/IP adress xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx the PC shows is correct. So he sees the other PC but doesn't connect.
As i mentioned, when i change Server and Client-Software on the two PCs everything is ok.
I am lost, any help ?

Second Questions in this context:
Can I share a DVD Drive in the Media Server, so that i see DVDs on the Media Center Client? I can see the DVD Drive in MC, but MC does not notice that there is a DVD to play.
Sorry, if the Questions are a little bit simpleminded, my home Network is only 1 day old and my experiences are poor...

THX Uwe

ooh, I forgot: MC 9.273

JimH · « **Reply #1 on:** October 14, 2003, 06:27:31 am »

No on DVD.

For the sharing problem, try a different port. 80 may be in use. Try 8088, for example.

Also check the firewall settings in XP on the server.

Uwe · « **Reply #2 on:** October 14, 2003, 06:44:02 am »

Sorry, i forgot: I use Windows 2000 Prof, no Firewall. I tried to use Port 80 and 8080 - no luck.
It is very strange that it works in the other direction. But unfortunately i need the server on this one machine...

Thank you Jim

Uwe

John Gateley · « **Reply #3 on:** October 14, 2003, 10:35:04 am »

Hi Uwe,

On the system that cannot connect, start a command window and type:

telnet xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx 80

Let us know what happens. Also check your settings to see what port it is listening
on. Are you doing "search for media servers" or entering an ip/port by hand?

j

millertivo · « **Reply #4 on:** October 15, 2003, 07:12:26 am »

Uwe,

Try changing the port.

In Media Server, uncheck the recommended setting for port 80 and select manual port selection. I tried port 8123 for no particular reason. Then in Media Center on the remote machine, open the library with your IP addresss:8123.

That might do it. If I understand correctly, there might be something else that is using port 80 on your machine that could cause a conflict. I'm not sure if that is accurate, but it solved my problem.

Uwe · « **Reply #5 on:** October 15, 2003, 07:44:00 am »

Thanks for the replays.
I am physically not at my MC, so I can give you more Informations in some hours

@john
I did both: "search for media servers" and entering an ip/port directly by hand.
A "Ping" finds the Server. I will try Telnet and give you response.

@millertivo: I tried the Ports 80 and 8080. Maybe its an idea to try even more ports

@all: I have fixed IP-Adresses. Now I read that W2000 can have Problems with it and I consider to use DHCM (I hope this is the Shortcut for the "automatic IP-Adress allocation"). Ideas ?

sorry for my poor English !

Uwe

JimH · « **Reply #6 on:** October 15, 2003, 08:29:00 am »

It's also possible that a router (access point) is filtering packets and not allowing some to pass.

Make sure you are "sharing" on the Media Server. Open the status window.

Your English is fine. No need to apologize.

Uwe · « **Reply #7 on:** October 15, 2003, 10:51:20 am »

@Jim: No Router at all
@John: I thing we are on the right way. I startet Telnet on the client, black DOS-Screen. The MC-Server received a connection (as he told) and shows:
10/15/03 17:35:40 - current connection:1

So Ports etc. seem to be ok ?!

When I press RETURN on the client, he disconnects from the host and MC Server says:

10/15/03 17:36:41 - sharing thread started
10/15/03 17:37:13 - expected GET
10/15/03 17:37:13 - read_http_request failed

When I start MC at the client, i get the same Error as above...

I hope this is a good information for you.

Uwe

JimH · « **Reply #8 on:** October 15, 2003, 11:10:27 am »

So it sounds like the port is open.

Are you sure you have told Media Server to "share"? Is it using the default library? Is there anything in it? What kind of files? MP3?

Uwe · « **Reply #9 on:** October 15, 2003, 11:29:45 am »

Sorry Jim, the answer for the four Questions is only one: Yes.
3761 Mp3 in the Default Library.
It only works in one Direction, but not in the other.

I tried to change the port to 8123:

Failed to connect to a server
Reason: unknown
URL:http://xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx:8123/GetLibrary

Can I send Commands via Telnet ?

I am very lost ?
Uwe

John Gateley · « **Reply #10 on:** October 15, 2003, 12:14:09 pm »

What is Media Server reporting when you try to connect from Media Center?

Is it saying one connection?

j

Uwe · « **Reply #11 on:** October 15, 2003, 02:04:12 pm »

No, nothing...
10/15/03 21:00:41 - Initializing server.
10/15/03 21:00:41 - Server initialized
10/15/03 21:00:41 - sharer ready to accept connections
10/15/03 21:00:43 - Started auto response thread on port 5556.

Uwe

John Gateley · « **Reply #12 on:** October 15, 2003, 02:44:56 pm »

Hi Uwe,

If you are not seeing the string "received a connection" in the status window, then the client is not connecting. Since the client CAN connect when using telnet, you are probably getting the ports mixed up. So:

1) Choose a port number.

2) Do netstat -an | more in a command window to verify that the port is not in use.

3) Start Media Server. Go into the options and choose "manually select the port" and enter your chosen number.

4) Make sure you restart media server. To be safe, exit it and restart it.

5) Now go to your client, and try loading the library with "search for Media
Servers"

6) If 5 doesn't work, try entering the IP and port number you chose by hand.

7) If 6 doesn't work, try entering the GetLibrary URL (with your chosen port) in your browser window.

If 7 doesn't work, try the telnet test again with your chosen port.

Let me know...

j

Steve Bate · « **Reply #13 on:** October 15, 2003, 03:27:30 pm »

This is exactly the problem I've got in another thread.

I've tried all sugestions, the problem is I get MC on the remote PC closing down due to an illegal operation so I cant even "search for Media Servers" I only get the option to change the address of the "media Server"

This is very confusing!!

Steve

John Gateley · « **Reply #14 on:** October 15, 2003, 03:34:46 pm »

Hi Steve,

Please try the 8 steps I wrote for Uwe above, and let me know exactly what happens.

j

Steve Bate · « **Reply #15 on:** October 15, 2003, 03:45:17 pm »

All the ports I've selected are not in use, 80, 8080, 8086, 8123 I cannot start MC as it goes straight into the "wizard" fro setting Media Server connections, so I cant try out 3,4,5,6,7

Steve

JimH · « **Reply #16 on:** October 15, 2003, 03:50:57 pm »

Don't use low numbered ports. Many may already be in use by TCP/IP. 80 is web server port. 81 and above might be open.

If none are open, you must have a firewall running on one or both PC's.

Disabling firewalls may not be enough. They may need to be uninstalled. There are known bugs in firewalls.

Steve Bate · « **Reply #17 on:** October 15, 2003, 04:09:24 pm »

OK, no firewalls installed, I uninstalled MC on "HTPC" and re-installed and then asked it to "find Media Servers" it immediately came back with my AVServer name and port 81 (which was set on AVServer, Media Server) I selected connect and the response was same as before

Steve

Robert Taylor · « **Reply #18 on:** October 15, 2003, 05:37:00 pm »

I used to have wierd behaviour like this with the Media Server ages ago.

I haven't had a problem with the Server for a large number of builds now, but I recall that I usually used to be able to fix the problem, by uninstalling each end, and re-installing clean.

Make sure you back up your library first, if it's too big a job to re-import/rebuild your library.

Hope this helps...

Steve Bate · « **Reply #19 on:** October 16, 2003, 03:19:19 am »

Uninstalld 9.1 and re-installed 9.1 on both machines, same problem. I select Find Media Servers and my HTPC returns with Media Server xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx:80 Failed to conect to Media Server Reason Unknown.

The IP Address is the correct IP Address.

Both these machines are bare bones and dedicated ie they run very little else other than the SW necessary, so no firewalls, anti-virus etc.

Steve

John Gateley · « **Reply #20 on:** October 16, 2003, 09:39:37 am »

Steve, I'm confused: I can't tell what's happening and what's going wrong. Can you tell me what steps you take on both machine, and where exactly it fails, and what is happening on both machines when it fails.

Thanks,

j

Steve Bate · « **Reply #21 on:** October 16, 2003, 10:06:59 am »

Confused? You and me both

OK, I've unistalled and reinstalled MC9.1 on both PC's.

On the AVServer I fire up Media Server and ensure it's sharing at this stage in the top of the program window it shows the ip address and the port number xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx:80.

I then fire up Media Center on my HTPC and select "Search for Media Servers" a window comes up on the HTPC running Media Center saying:

"Failed to connect to Server, Reason Unknown, URL xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx:80"

Not a lot happens on the Media Server PC

Incidentally I've changed the port settings several times on both PC's with the same response. Only other thing I can see is a box on Media Server saying Available bandwidth 0kbs? I'm assuming that's because it's not doing anything?

Hope this helps

Steve

JimH · « **Reply #22 on:** October 16, 2003, 10:14:23 am »

Check for a firewall problem on both machines. You're doing it right, but the packets aren't getting through.

Steve Bate · « **Reply #23 on:** October 16, 2003, 10:56:18 am »

I tried finding the Media Server from a different PC and bingo straight in! So it's not my AVServer running Media Server, problem must be on my HTPC, trouble is I cant for the life of me figure out what it could be ? ?

There's definately no firewall on it, it's running MainLobby Suite, Theatertek, powerstrip, region killer and dvdautorefresh, thats it.

Steve

JimH · « **Reply #24 on:** October 16, 2003, 11:02:49 am »

Remnant of an old firewall?

Steve Bate · « **Reply #25 on:** October 16, 2003, 11:19:29 am »

I'm reluctant to do this but I'm going for a "nuke & pave" approach. No time at the moment, it'll have to wait until next week but I'll rebuild my HTPC from scratch as a fresh install gulp!!

Thanks Jim & John for your help.

No additional posts from Uwe?

I feel like I've highjacked the thread now, sorry

Steve

Uwe · « **Reply #26 on:** October 16, 2003, 03:39:51 pm »

Hi, it's me again. I was busy and not online today...
A lot of threads in a short time. No Problem, Steve you are welcome !

John, i tried your Checklist. Step 1 to 6 are checked, but i do not understand Step 7
"7) If 6 doesn't work, try entering the GetLibrary URL (with your chosen port) in your browser window". How can i enter GetLibrary in my browser ?
I do not hope this is the last Step !?

Uwe

John Gateley · « **Reply #27 on:** October 16, 2003, 04:16:03 pm »

http://xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx:yy/GetLibrary

xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx is your IP

yy is your port

j

Uwe · « **Reply #28 on:** October 16, 2003, 04:16:03 pm »

SOLVED !!

That's what i did:
I deleted the Entry "Default" in the Library Manager of the MC Client.(That was the local library)
After that I create manually a new Entry with the IP and Port of the MC Server. Loading and ....Connected.
After that i create a new "Default" Entry with the local Library on the MC Client. Now i can switch between the Local and the Server Library.
The name of the Server Lib and the Client Lib where both "Default". Now they are different. Maybe this was the Problem ? Or any other Ideas ?

Thanks everybody for help !
Uwe

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