Media Center Input Network Directory empty

[johnwmreed]

I am trying to add directories from a computer on my network (NOT the sage server) to the "Media Center Input Directories."

First, all directories and files on my network are accessible from all computers. I believe my permissions are granted.

When I try to add a directory to my "Media Center Input Directories" Sage says the directory is "Empty"

I drill down to the target directory: network-> smb:///Office-Dell/My Documents/My Pictures/CanonS400 Photos/2003_11_24, but Sage says it is empty. It is not empty!

I would appreciate any suggestions on what I am doing wrong?

[Opus4]

This is in the directory browser dialog that pops up in the Configuration Wizard's Media Center Input Directories menu, right?

If so: that is only a directory browser, so if there are no subdirectories in a dir, then it is empty for that dialog's purposes. You should be able to select the dir as an import path, using "Select Current".

But, you could select a dir that is parent to all the others & use that as the import dir -- all the subdirectories will also be imported.

- Andy

[johnwmreed]

Right, This is in the directory browser dialog that pops up in the Configuration Wizard's Media Center Input Directories menu.

Ok, I backed up one directory:

network-> smb:///Office-Dell/My Documents/My Pictures/CanonS400 Photos/ and added it as an import Library path. This directory has about 200 subdirectories each with multiple *.jpg files.

I Refreshed the Imported Media.

But when I go to Media files: Photos - nothing has been added.

So I decided to Browse Media Files. Then Browse Import Library Paths. I see the path to my directory I just added, but it has a big white X with a blue background. I clicked on it but nothing is there.

I am still not doing something right???

[Opus4]

It might take a while to import the files or, if you are using service mode, you have to configure the service to log in as a user w/a password who has permission to access that network location.

- Andy

[johnwmreed]

Sage is not still importing files. It has been 24 hrs + and nothing is imported.

I have no idea what mode I am in. All I know is the files on the computer in question can be accessed from my other computer. So I would think that if I can access them with Internet Explorer then Sage TV ought to be able to access them.

I know nothing about service mode. I did a search on my computer Help and Microsoft site for words like "service mode" and 'permission" but found nothing useful.

Would you please point me to some site where I can learn about service mode and whether I am in that mode or not.

Thank you.

[Opus4]

SageTV's service mode is described starting on p. 14 of the v6.4 PDF manual. It wouldn't be using service mode unless you had configured it to do so.

What version of SageTV are you using?

You could check the library scan status in the debug log.

- Andy

[johnwmreed]

I read page 14. I am using service mode.

I am using Sage TV version 6.4.8

Page 16 says: "If you wish to have SageTV access a drive on another computer on your network, you will have to select Change User in order to enter the name of a user account on your computer and the user’s password"

Ok, I have two computers: The Sage TV server computer is named "Elizabeth" and the computer I want to link to is named "John Reed." Both have passwords.

In the Sage TV Service Control dialog box the Change User button reveals User Name: .\Elizabeth - that's the server computer name. If I change it to the other computer name: .\John Reed, put in the password twice I get the error message: "Invalid User Name or Password Entered."

What am I doing wrong now?

I have enabled debug logging. The sagetv_0.txt file is hugh!

I has a lot of lines starting with: "Seeker removing file because it's not in the library import path anymore ..."

[gplasky]

Your Sage server is only going to work with user IDs that are created on that computer. Your Elizabeth ID needs to have a password. You should also put your Elizabeth user in the Administrator group. So your computer name is Elizabeth and the user name is Elizabeth? These are two seperate identities so don't confuse the two. You should create a user named Elizabeth on your other computer. ALso make sure both computers are in the same workgroup.

Gerry

[johnwmreed]

Thanks for the education.

I misspoke. I have two computers. The sage server computer is named House-HP and it now has two users 'Elizabeth" and "John Reed"

My second computer (the one that contains the photos I want to put in Sage Media Center) is named Office-Dell and it now has two users: Elizabeth and John Reed.

All users are designated as Administrators. All Users have the same single password.

As I said previously I can browse with Internet Explorer and access all files on both computers from both computers, so in this sense I have provided permissions.

I have tried all combinations of opening each computer in the two available user names and tried to place directories in the Sage Media Center from the Server computer House-HP

Same result - no files show up in the Media Center.

I am doing something fundamentally wrong. Is there some other permissions I need to give so Sage recognizes my files?

[gplasky]

GO to the properties of the compuer. On Vista choose Advanced System Settings. Then the Change button. Look at the Workgroup name. They need to be the same on the WHS server and the PC client. I don't think by default WHS uses WORKGROUP as the Workgroup name. Doesn't matter what you make it, just make them all the same. Like SAGEVILLE, for example. ALso use ID consistent acroos the PCs and the Sage service. For example use Elizabeth to start the Sage service and log in as ELizabeth on the Vista client. On the Office-Dell Pc you have right-clicked on the directory for the pictures and chose to share them?

Gerry

[johnwmreed]

I set up the workgroup a long time ago. It is called Workgroup. I know this is working because when in the process of adding directories to the Sage Media Center you drill down: Network -> Workgroup -> Office-Dell. The Workgroup step lists 3 devices: Office Dell, House-HP and a network storage drive I have on my network, which stores all my sage recordings - it works fine.

As for shared files: All my photo, music, video files are shared. This is necessary to get Internet Explorer to access them. And I know that IE can do that.

As for logging in. I have switched my user on the Office-Dell to "Elizabeth.' I open the House-HP computer with user "Elizabeth" Finally, I have .\Elizabeth set in my Sage Services. Still doesn't work.

[johnwmreed]

I am trying to do something different. I have changed to a single user on both computers: "John Reed." It has administrator status on both computers with a password (same on both computers)

My problem is with the Sage TV Service Control box. I want to "Change User." When I click on the "Change User" button an input box comes up with ".\Elizabeth" in a faint background. So I change it to John Reed (also tried ".\John Reed"). I put in the password twice, but I always get the error message: "invalid username or password entered." The Username and password are correct.

I even uninstalled and reinstalled Sage TV. I can't change the User Name.

How can I change the User Name to John Reed?

[gplasky]

Does John Reed exist as a user on that PC? You need to create that user on the PC you are trying to run the service on.

You need to double check the workgroup your WHS is in. I'm pretty sure by default it is NOT Workgroup. PCs by default will use workgroup.

My home systems (Names have been changed to protect the guilty)
WHS server: MAIN
User IDs: Administrator, Sage, Wife (all users except Wife are in the Administrator Group and all users have a password (WHS wants all users to have pw))
Workgroup: Sageville
Drives: C:. D:, E:, F:, G:, H:
Directories example: H:\Music 5, H:\Photos 5, H:\Videos 5 (This is standard across D-H. D:\Music 1, E:\Music 2, F:\Music 3, G:\Music 4, H:\Music 5 , etc. Repeat for each category)
Subdirectories example: H:\Videos 5\Sage TV, H:\Videos 5\FullDisc, H:\Videos 5\MainMovie (program that does the DVDs automatically creates FullDisc or MainMovie directory depnding what I choose)
Shares: Music 5, Photos 5, Videos 5 (This is the share name. By default when you share a directory it uses the directory name. These shares can be called anything you want.)
Import directories for Sage: \\MAIN\Music 5, \\MAIN\Photos 5, \\MAIN\Videos 5\FullDisc, \\MAIN\Videos 5\MainMovie (Apply this across all the drives-just the numbers will change)
Recording directory for Sage: \\MAIN\Videos 5\SageTV (Apply across all drives-only number will change)
When you share a directory in XP it is Sharing and Security. You share the directory and use the name given or change it. Then check the box to allow netowrk users to change the files. (Esenntially they now have read and write permissions)
When you share it in Vista it is Sharing. Pick a user from the drop-down. You would need to make that user at least a contributor. (Esenntially they now have read and write permissions)

Client PC: VISTA-STUDY
User IDs: Administrator, Sage, Wife (all users except Wife are in the Administrator Group and all users have a password (WHS wants all users to have pw))
Workgroup: Sageville
Drives: C:. D:, E:, F:, G:, H:, I:, J:
Nothing being used for Sage access
Import directories for Sage: \\MAIN\Music 5, \\MAIN\Photos 5, \\MAIN\Videos 5\FullDisc, \\MAIN\Videos 5\MainMovie (Apply this across all the drives-just the numbers will change)
Recording directory for Sage: \\MAIN\Videos 5\SageTV (Apply across all drives-only number will change)

Now let's say I have the Pictures directory on my Vista client I want to share. In Vista you want to go to Network and Sharing and turn on Network Discovery (so other machines can see the directories you share) and turn on File Sharing. (So you can share directories)WHen you choose sharing it will say it is already shared and you will see the group Everyone. I believe this is used for Public and Public Pictures specifically. Now you can make reader, contributor or co-owner which is basically read, read-write, or read-write-delete. Act like you are changing it and then choose the same level. (by default contributor) Now click the chare button. It will run through all the files in the directory and when it is done it will show you it is shared and the path. Example: \\VISTA-STUDY\Users\Sage\Pictures You can also see this path by right-clicking on the folder and choosing Properties and going to the Sharing tab. Cahnges can also be made here.


It should be working for you. I'm guessing you are just missing one of these settings. Maybe go back through it again and use my examples above to help troubleshoot. People are using shares both from their WHS server and other PCs and NAS in Sage. It usually ends up being a share-user ID-permissions issue. Hope this helps.

Gerry

[johnwmreed]

Thanks Gerry for walking me through Sharing and Permissions. I will go over my directories again - will take some time, but I believe they are ok. I move photo files back and forth between my computers with ease using Windows Explorer and other programs. My workgroup is really named "WORKGROUP" - a remnant of years past. And all my network devices show up under this name as they should.

I still want to "Change User" in the Sage Services Dialog box. When I click on the "Change User" button an input box comes up with ".\Elizabeth" in a faint background. So I change it to John Reed (also tried ".\John Reed"). I put in the password twice, but I always get the error message: "invalid username or password entered." The Username and password are correct.

At this point both computers have the same Username (John Reed) and password. I don't understand why I can't change username in Sage?

Can anybody help?

[gplasky]

The ".\" tells it is a local account. If you are getting the invalid user or password message it probably is. Passwords are case sensitive. Also if you ever try to cut and paste a password sometimes you may leave a space at the end and not know it. If both user IDs on boths machines are identical then right-click on Compuer and go to Manage. Go to Local Users and Groups-Users and find the ID. Right click and choose Set Password. Type in a new password or retype what you were using. Do this on both computers and try again. There is no reason why you can't change to a different user to run the service in Sage.

Gerry

[johnwmreed]

When I right click on My Computer I get a window: "Computer Management"

But I don't see how to go to Local Users and Groups-Users and find the ID????

[gplasky]

Look down the tree under Systems Tools and you'll see a folder icon labeled Local Users and Groups. In there is a folder called Users. In there you will see the IDs.

Gerry

[johnwmreed]

Under System Tools there are four subdirectories at the same level: Event Viewer, Shared Folders, Performance logs and Alerts, and Device Manager.

I do not see a folder icon labeled Local Users and Groups?

[gplasky]

Then it sounds like your ID is not an Administrator. Log in as administrator. not a user ID. I think you are getting to the root of your problems.

Gerry

[johnwmreed]

On each computer I have just one user to log on with:
John Reed
Computer Administrator
Password Protected.

I don't see how to make this user (on each computer) any more of an administrator?