simple sharing?

I think maybe, I did not explain my problem very well.

I have all my media stored on the server; of course i need to access this
media from my htpc in the living room. Because this htpc is in my living
room, as a part of an entertainment center, leaving the key board and mouse
hooked up to it is tacky, not an actual tech problem. Also, requiring the log
in (explained below) each time makes it cumbersome for me and confusing for
my girlfriend. so the keyboard and mouse were just part of my reasoning, not
part of the actual problem.

my problem is as follows:
If i turn on my htpc (running vista home premium) and i enter the media
center application right away, the only folders i see are those local to the
htpc. I see no folders that i have added from the media server.

If i then use the mouse and keyboard to open the network places on the htpc
i see the server's icon there. If i double click the icon, im given the
dialog to enter a user name and password. I have the password options turned
off on the server so any user name can be entered and no password is needed.
Now, after i have logged in this way, if i then go back to the media center
application and open my videos, all the folders on the local machine are
there and all the server's folders i have added are present.

What i am hoping for is a way to press the on button from my remote, have
the htpc turn on (it does this now) and have access to the server's media
folders with out needing to break out the mouse and keyboard to log in
through the network (this it DOES NOT do now)

hope this is clearer.
"AlexB" wrote:

> Hi there,
>
> Nobody has touched your orphaned post for 2 days so I feel safe to utter a
> few stupid suggestions. The come not from direct experience with exactly
> this problem but out of general considerations.
>
> I guess the problem may become much more clear if you could answer this
> question: "Do you see any folders at all on the server?"
>
> If you don't, then do you see the server's thumbnail in the client's network
> GUI (window)? What happens when you click on it before you logged in to the
> server? Does this icon expands or not? Do you get any error message?
>
> My hunch is that by removing the keyboard and mouse you somehow tell Vista
> server that the work has been done for today and it can go to sleep. Why
> don't you try to leave both plugged in and see what is going to happen.
>
> Also, do you have an options set up for the Server to go to sleep at all? If
> you do have them set up for hibernation then what do you want? Make sure
> that your server never sleeps.
>
> Again, it is in good faith but nonetheless may prove to be useless. perhaps
> the problem is deeper than I think.
>
> "Elleric" <Elleric@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:EB77F438-5585-4188-BA18-3501FE01D140@microsoft.com...

> > Hello,
> >
> > I recently upgraded a few of my systems to various versions of windows
> > vista
> > and I have run into an issue that is a bit hindering with regards to my
> > media
> > center.
> >
> > I upgraded my file server to Vista Ultimate and I upgraded my HTPC to
> > Vista
> > Home Premium.
> >
> > I'd like to add the media file folders from the file server to the video
> > list on my htpc, the problem is, after i have added the folders to be
> > watched
> > on the file server they do not show up in the list after a reboot; unless
> > i
> > go into the network and actively log into the file server.
> >
> > There is no password required, so all i need to do is to type anything in
> > the username field and hit enter, then go back and refresh the videos list
> > and the folders appear.
> >
> > The problem with this is each time i power on the htpc i need the mouse
> > and
> > keyboard which clutter up the living room. Id much rather have them both
> > unplugged 99% of the time and as it stands now, this network login is the
> > only thing i have used them for since i completed the configuration. It
> > alsomakes it a bit confusing for my girlfriend (to the point where she
> > just
> > wont bother using it unless im home)
> >
> > I'm hoping there is some way to configure either the shared folders on the
> > file server, or the network on the htpc so that these folders are
> > available
> > with out extra steps from the time of boot up.
> >
> > Hope i explained that clearly, thanks for any help
> >
> > -Elleric

>
>

map the shared folder on the remote machine to a drive letter on the
HTPC, then use settings to set this up as a watched folder.

On Fri, 11 Jan 2008 19:35:00 -0800, Elleric
<Elleric@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

>I think maybe, I did not explain my problem very well.
>
>I have all my media stored on the server; of course i need to access this
>media from my htpc in the living room. Because this htpc is in my living
>room, as a part of an entertainment center, leaving the key board and mouse
>hooked up to it is tacky, not an actual tech problem. Also, requiring the log
>in (explained below) each time makes it cumbersome for me and confusing for
>my girlfriend. so the keyboard and mouse were just part of my reasoning, not
>part of the actual problem.
>
>my problem is as follows:
>If i turn on my htpc (running vista home premium) and i enter the media
>center application right away, the only folders i see are those local to the
>htpc. I see no folders that i have added from the media server.
>
>If i then use the mouse and keyboard to open the network places on the htpc
>i see the server's icon there. If i double click the icon, im given the
>dialog to enter a user name and password. I have the password options turned
>off on the server so any user name can be entered and no password is needed.
>Now, after i have logged in this way, if i then go back to the media center
>application and open my videos, all the folders on the local machine are
>there and all the server's folders i have added are present.
>
>What i am hoping for is a way to press the on button from my remote, have
>the htpc turn on (it does this now) and have access to the server's media
>folders with out needing to break out the mouse and keyboard to log in
>through the network (this it DOES NOT do now)
>
>hope this is clearer.
>"AlexB" wrote:
>

>> Hi there,
>>
>> Nobody has touched your orphaned post for 2 days so I feel safe to utter a
>> few stupid suggestions. The come not from direct experience with exactly
>> this problem but out of general considerations.
>>
>> I guess the problem may become much more clear if you could answer this
>> question: "Do you see any folders at all on the server?"
>>
>> If you don't, then do you see the server's thumbnail in the client's network
>> GUI (window)? What happens when you click on it before you logged in to the
>> server? Does this icon expands or not? Do you get any error message?
>>
>> My hunch is that by removing the keyboard and mouse you somehow tell Vista
>> server that the work has been done for today and it can go to sleep. Why
>> don't you try to leave both plugged in and see what is going to happen.
>>
>> Also, do you have an options set up for the Server to go to sleep at all? If
>> you do have them set up for hibernation then what do you want? Make sure
>> that your server never sleeps.
>>
>> Again, it is in good faith but nonetheless may prove to be useless. perhaps
>> the problem is deeper than I think.
>>
>> "Elleric" <Elleric@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:EB77F438-5585-4188-BA18-3501FE01D140@microsoft.com...

>> > Hello,
>> >
>> > I recently upgraded a few of my systems to various versions of windows
>> > vista
>> > and I have run into an issue that is a bit hindering with regards to my
>> > media
>> > center.
>> >
>> > I upgraded my file server to Vista Ultimate and I upgraded my HTPC to
>> > Vista
>> > Home Premium.
>> >
>> > I'd like to add the media file folders from the file server to the video
>> > list on my htpc, the problem is, after i have added the folders to be
>> > watched
>> > on the file server they do not show up in the list after a reboot; unless
>> > i
>> > go into the network and actively log into the file server.
>> >
>> > There is no password required, so all i need to do is to type anything in
>> > the username field and hit enter, then go back and refresh the videos list
>> > and the folders appear.
>> >
>> > The problem with this is each time i power on the htpc i need the mouse
>> > and
>> > keyboard which clutter up the living room. Id much rather have them both
>> > unplugged 99% of the time and as it stands now, this network login is the
>> > only thing i have used them for since i completed the configuration. It
>> > alsomakes it a bit confusing for my girlfriend (to the point where she
>> > just
>> > wont bother using it unless im home)
>> >
>> > I'm hoping there is some way to configure either the shared folders on the
>> > file server, or the network on the htpc so that these folders are
>> > available
>> > with out extra steps from the time of boot up.
>> >
>> > Hope i explained that clearly, thanks for any help
>> >
>> > -Elleric

>>
>>

--

Barb Bowman
MS Windows-MVP
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/e...ts/bowman.mspx
http://blogs.digitalmediaphile.com/barb/

I think I understood you more or less the way you reexplaned it but you
apparently did not notice the part on the possible sleep of the server. You
did not address it.

Also mapping the network drive offered by Barb may be a very good idea but
if the server is asleep, could it help? I do not know. I simply have no
experience and won't mind to find out. I may do some testing on my network
for this configuration out of curiosity.


"Elleric" <Elleric@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:12BE1614-691C-4871-8E13-CB09042C081F@microsoft.com...

>I think maybe, I did not explain my problem very well.
>
> I have all my media stored on the server; of course i need to access this
> media from my htpc in the living room. Because this htpc is in my living
> room, as a part of an entertainment center, leaving the key board and
> mouse
> hooked up to it is tacky, not an actual tech problem. Also, requiring the
> log
> in (explained below) each time makes it cumbersome for me and confusing
> for
> my girlfriend. so the keyboard and mouse were just part of my reasoning,
> not
> part of the actual problem.
>
> my problem is as follows:
> If i turn on my htpc (running vista home premium) and i enter the media
> center application right away, the only folders i see are those local to
> the
> htpc. I see no folders that i have added from the media server.
>
> If i then use the mouse and keyboard to open the network places on the
> htpc
> i see the server's icon there. If i double click the icon, im given the
> dialog to enter a user name and password. I have the password options
> turned
> off on the server so any user name can be entered and no password is
> needed.
> Now, after i have logged in this way, if i then go back to the media
> center
> application and open my videos, all the folders on the local machine are
> there and all the server's folders i have added are present.
>
> What i am hoping for is a way to press the on button from my remote, have
> the htpc turn on (it does this now) and have access to the server's media
> folders with out needing to break out the mouse and keyboard to log in
> through the network (this it DOES NOT do now)
>
> hope this is clearer.
> "AlexB" wrote:
>

>> Hi there,
>>
>> Nobody has touched your orphaned post for 2 days so I feel safe to utter
>> a
>> few stupid suggestions. The come not from direct experience with exactly
>> this problem but out of general considerations.
>>
>> I guess the problem may become much more clear if you could answer this
>> question: "Do you see any folders at all on the server?"
>>
>> If you don't, then do you see the server's thumbnail in the client's
>> network
>> GUI (window)? What happens when you click on it before you logged in to
>> the
>> server? Does this icon expands or not? Do you get any error message?
>>
>> My hunch is that by removing the keyboard and mouse you somehow tell
>> Vista
>> server that the work has been done for today and it can go to sleep. Why
>> don't you try to leave both plugged in and see what is going to happen.
>>
>> Also, do you have an options set up for the Server to go to sleep at all?
>> If
>> you do have them set up for hibernation then what do you want? Make sure
>> that your server never sleeps.
>>
>> Again, it is in good faith but nonetheless may prove to be useless.
>> perhaps
>> the problem is deeper than I think.
>>
>> "Elleric" <Elleric@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:EB77F438-5585-4188-BA18-3501FE01D140@microsoft.com...

>> > Hello,
>> >
>> > I recently upgraded a few of my systems to various versions of windows
>> > vista
>> > and I have run into an issue that is a bit hindering with regards to my
>> > media
>> > center.
>> >
>> > I upgraded my file server to Vista Ultimate and I upgraded my HTPC to
>> > Vista
>> > Home Premium.
>> >
>> > I'd like to add the media file folders from the file server to the
>> > video
>> > list on my htpc, the problem is, after i have added the folders to be
>> > watched
>> > on the file server they do not show up in the list after a reboot;
>> > unless
>> > i
>> > go into the network and actively log into the file server.
>> >
>> > There is no password required, so all i need to do is to type anything
>> > in
>> > the username field and hit enter, then go back and refresh the videos
>> > list
>> > and the folders appear.
>> >
>> > The problem with this is each time i power on the htpc i need the mouse
>> > and
>> > keyboard which clutter up the living room. Id much rather have them
>> > both
>> > unplugged 99% of the time and as it stands now, this network login is
>> > the
>> > only thing i have used them for since i completed the configuration. It
>> > alsomakes it a bit confusing for my girlfriend (to the point where she
>> > just
>> > wont bother using it unless im home)
>> >
>> > I'm hoping there is some way to configure either the shared folders on
>> > the
>> > file server, or the network on the htpc so that these folders are
>> > available
>> > with out extra steps from the time of boot up.
>> >
>> > Hope i explained that clearly, thanks for any help
>> >
>> > -Elleric

>>
>>

Sorry, I'll try mapping the drives and see how that works.

I dont think there is any issue with the server sleeping. I have it set so
that it never shuts down/sleeps on its own. Sometimes there is even work
being done on it while the folders problem is cropping up.

"AlexB" wrote:

> I think I understood you more or less the way you reexplaned it but you
> apparently did not notice the part on the possible sleep of the server. You
> did not address it.
>
> Also mapping the network drive offered by Barb may be a very good idea but
> if the server is asleep, could it help? I do not know. I simply have no
> experience and won't mind to find out. I may do some testing on my network
> for this configuration out of curiosity.
>
>
> "Elleric" <Elleric@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:12BE1614-691C-4871-8E13-CB09042C081F@microsoft.com...

> >I think maybe, I did not explain my problem very well.
> >
> > I have all my media stored on the server; of course i need to access this
> > media from my htpc in the living room. Because this htpc is in my living
> > room, as a part of an entertainment center, leaving the key board and
> > mouse
> > hooked up to it is tacky, not an actual tech problem. Also, requiring the
> > log
> > in (explained below) each time makes it cumbersome for me and confusing
> > for
> > my girlfriend. so the keyboard and mouse were just part of my reasoning,
> > not
> > part of the actual problem.
> >
> > my problem is as follows:
> > If i turn on my htpc (running vista home premium) and i enter the media
> > center application right away, the only folders i see are those local to
> > the
> > htpc. I see no folders that i have added from the media server.
> >
> > If i then use the mouse and keyboard to open the network places on the
> > htpc
> > i see the server's icon there. If i double click the icon, im given the
> > dialog to enter a user name and password. I have the password options
> > turned
> > off on the server so any user name can be entered and no password is
> > needed.
> > Now, after i have logged in this way, if i then go back to the media
> > center
> > application and open my videos, all the folders on the local machine are
> > there and all the server's folders i have added are present.
> >
> > What i am hoping for is a way to press the on button from my remote, have
> > the htpc turn on (it does this now) and have access to the server's media
> > folders with out needing to break out the mouse and keyboard to log in
> > through the network (this it DOES NOT do now)
> >
> > hope this is clearer.
> > "AlexB" wrote:
> >

> >> Hi there,
> >>
> >> Nobody has touched your orphaned post for 2 days so I feel safe to utter
> >> a
> >> few stupid suggestions. The come not from direct experience with exactly
> >> this problem but out of general considerations.
> >>
> >> I guess the problem may become much more clear if you could answer this
> >> question: "Do you see any folders at all on the server?"
> >>
> >> If you don't, then do you see the server's thumbnail in the client's
> >> network
> >> GUI (window)? What happens when you click on it before you logged in to
> >> the
> >> server? Does this icon expands or not? Do you get any error message?
> >>
> >> My hunch is that by removing the keyboard and mouse you somehow tell
> >> Vista
> >> server that the work has been done for today and it can go to sleep. Why
> >> don't you try to leave both plugged in and see what is going to happen.
> >>
> >> Also, do you have an options set up for the Server to go to sleep at all?
> >> If
> >> you do have them set up for hibernation then what do you want? Make sure
> >> that your server never sleeps.
> >>
> >> Again, it is in good faith but nonetheless may prove to be useless.
> >> perhaps
> >> the problem is deeper than I think.
> >>
> >> "Elleric" <Elleric@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> >> news:EB77F438-5585-4188-BA18-3501FE01D140@microsoft.com...
> >> > Hello,
> >> >
> >> > I recently upgraded a few of my systems to various versions of windows
> >> > vista
> >> > and I have run into an issue that is a bit hindering with regards to my
> >> > media
> >> > center.
> >> >
> >> > I upgraded my file server to Vista Ultimate and I upgraded my HTPC to
> >> > Vista
> >> > Home Premium.
> >> >
> >> > I'd like to add the media file folders from the file server to the
> >> > video
> >> > list on my htpc, the problem is, after i have added the folders to be
> >> > watched
> >> > on the file server they do not show up in the list after a reboot;
> >> > unless
> >> > i
> >> > go into the network and actively log into the file server.
> >> >
> >> > There is no password required, so all i need to do is to type anything
> >> > in
> >> > the username field and hit enter, then go back and refresh the videos
> >> > list
> >> > and the folders appear.
> >> >
> >> > The problem with this is each time i power on the htpc i need the mouse
> >> > and
> >> > keyboard which clutter up the living room. Id much rather have them
> >> > both
> >> > unplugged 99% of the time and as it stands now, this network login is
> >> > the
> >> > only thing i have used them for since i completed the configuration. It
> >> > alsomakes it a bit confusing for my girlfriend (to the point where she
> >> > just
> >> > wont bother using it unless im home)
> >> >
> >> > I'm hoping there is some way to configure either the shared folders on
> >> > the
> >> > file server, or the network on the htpc so that these folders are
> >> > available
> >> > with out extra steps from the time of boot up.
> >> >
> >> > Hope i explained that clearly, thanks for any help
> >> >
> >> > -Elleric
> >>
> >>

>
>