Can't access TOWER unless I spin up the drives

[Andrewch]

Hi,

 

I'm having an issue where I can't access my server through Windows Explorer. This seems to happen after the server has been left idle for a few hours/days. I get is the "cannot find TOWER" (something like that) error via Windows Explorer.

 

The funny thing is that I can still play everything from the server via XBMC but cant access through Windows Explorer until I spin up the drives via Simple Features. Even after something has played I cant access through WE. This happens on both my PC's hard wired running Windows 7/8.

 

Also, the TOWER does appear in the NETWORK via WE but I get the message when I select it to view the folders.

 

I'm running v5 RC8a with Simple Features.

 

Any ideas?

 

Cheers

[mcs]

Windows can "forget" about which computers are available on the network.

 

Try setting TOWER's setting for "Local Master" to Yes.

[Andrewch]

OK will do.

 

What does "Local Master" actually mean? I did see that in the Troubleshooting FAQ's but it wasn't explained.

 

Thanks for the help.

[mcs]

See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domain_Master_Browser

[Andrewch]

Thanks for the reply but I checked and its already set "yes" to Local master. Any other ideas?

 

Cheers

[Andrewch]

Anyone? I did some more testing and it seems that I can always connect via my laptop running windows 7 pro (via wifi if that makes a difference). All other computers are hard wired. My pc running 7 home and HTPC running 8 pro still have the issue of not being able to connect to the tower through Expkorer.

 

As I said earlier, I can still play my media through xbmc even when the same computer cannot connect to the tower via win explorer. Again, the tower appears in the network but I can't select it to see the files unless I spin up the drives.

 

Any more ideas?

 

Thanks

[pantner]

can you connect with the IP Address instead of the 'name'?

[Andrewch]

Hi panter

 

Do you mean via Internet Explorer or Windows Explorer?

 

I can connect via the IP address in any browser even when I cannot connect to the TOWER via Windows Explorer from the same computer. That's how I spin up the drives and enable the connection via Windows Explorer to work.

 

Basically all my browsers connect as does XBMC but after some time, I cannot connect to the TOWER via Windows Explorer. The browsers and XBMC will continue to connect fine all the time.

 

I dont know how to force this issue to happen. And its weird that my laptop continues to connect when other computers on my network cannot (via Winodws Explorer)

 

 

[pantner]

both IP address and netbios name work in IE and WinE.

 

I meant in Windows Explorer (ie, the one you are having trouble with)

[Andrewch]

OK, thanks panter.

 

I'll take a look. I assume the netbios name = TOWER (or the name of your Unraid server) in my case. Ill try the IP address in Windows Explorer. It still doesnt explain why I need to spin up my drives for Windows Explorer to see them.

 

Thanks for the reply, il check when I get home and get back.