Installed Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials, and trying to add the clients. First client (win8.1) connect fine, backs ups worked for a few days, then suddenly they stopped. I then added 2nd pc (win 8.1 pro) and the connecter failed to complete.

If I run the Best Practice Analyser there are lots of messages like

HOMESERVER

Error

The domain controller ... must be able to reach a DNS server and retrieve DNS records that are associated with this domain controller

Configuration

HOMESERVER

Error

This domain controller must advertise as the global catalog server for the forest

Configuration

(there's lot of them) - I've worked through the suggested resolutions, but to no avail

I got around the Connecter issue by making the Server the Primary DNS on the Win8.1 pro PC. That has let me connect (and access the data) but the backs up simply fail. Looking in the Event Log on the pc, it simply says

Backup job 0 on HOMESERVER did not succeed.

Reason: NotConfigured,

I'm thinking at this point, there are two ways to go. Try to diagnose and fix the issue, or reinstall. If I reinstall, will my storage pool be unaffected? or do I risk losing it?

If I try to diagnose, where do I start?

Just to add, I've run this

support.microsoft.com/kb/2686291

(showed me the ClientConnectivityApp was stopped, which I started, and the RemoteConnectivityApp, which I didn't, becuase that is not configured)

and applied this

support.microsoft.com/kb/2686291

(made no difference)

and walked through this

technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd391960(v=WS.10).aspx

but there was never anything listed (no registery setting existed, and nothing was configured in the Group Policy)

• Edited by irh1 Monday, September 01, 2014 12:08 PM

Hi,

First client (win8.1) connect fine, backs ups worked for a few days, then suddenly they stopped.

When this issue occurred, did you manually start a backup for this client computer on the Dashboard? Did you find any error message? In addition, backup operates over port 8192. Please check if this port was blocked by firewall or third-party applications.

Meanwhile, please logon the problematic client computer and follow the path: C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows Server\Logs. Then check the BackupLaunchpad log file if find relevant errors.

By the way, on the client computer, please run the Configuration Troubleshooter tool that Robert created to test the connection to the Server. Meanwhile, please run the tool on the server to check IIS and Certificates configurations.

Windows Server Essentials - Configuration Troubleshooter

For details of this tool, please refer to following article.

Windows Server Essentials Configuration Troubleshooter

Please Note: Since the web site is not hosted by Microsoft, the link may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this information.

I then added 2nd pc (win 8.1 pro) and the connecter failed to complete.

Would you please let me know the complete error message when failed to connect the second client computer to the Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials? Meanwhile, logon the second client computer and follow the path C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows Server\Logs, then check ClientDeploy log file.

If any update, please feel free to let me know.

Hope this helps.

Best regards,

Justin Gu

• Edited by Justin GuMicrosoft contingent staff, Moderator Monday, September 01, 2014 4:44 PM

Hi,

I ran the script EssentialsTester.ps1 from a PowerShell ISE run as Admin on the Win 8.1 Pro machine

PS C:\Windows\system32> C:\Users\Ian.HUMBER\Downloads\Microsoft\EssentialsTester.ps1

File C:\Users\Ian.HUMBER\Downloads\Microsoft\EssentialsTester.ps1 cannot be loaded because running scripts is disabled on this system. For more information, see

about_Execution_Policies at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=135170.

    + CategoryInfo          : SecurityError: (:) [], ParentContainsErrorRecordException

    + FullyQualifiedErrorId : UnauthorizedAccess

 

Running the same script on the server box gives

************************************************

* Essentials Server 2012, Configuration Tester *

************************************************

OS Detected:

Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials

This tool will check your current Configuration against known Essentials 2012 Values.

Written by Robert Pearman (TitleRequired.com)  February 2014

Version Info:

Version: 1.7

1. Test IIS

2. Test CA Infrastructure

3. Test Services

4. Test Service Ports

0. Quit

Enter Task..

1

Checking Websites..

Site Name            : Default Web Site
App Pool             : RootApp
Content              : C:\Program Files\Windows Server\Bin\webapps\site
State                 : Started

Site Name            : Mac Web Service
App Pool             : MacWebService_App
Content              : C:\Program Files\Windows Server\Bin\WebApps\MacWebService
State                 : Started

Site Name            : WSS Certificate Web Service
App Pool             : CertWebService_App
Content              : C:\Program Files\Windows Server\Bin\WebApps\CertWebService
State                 : Started

Checking Virtual Directories..

Anywhere Access not configured, skipping RPC Virtual Directories

Virtual Directory    : /Connect
Application Pool     : Client_App
Content Path         : C:\Program Files\Windows Server\Bin\WebApps\Client

Virtual Directory    : /home
Application Pool     : ConnectivityAppPool
Content Path         : C:\Program Files\Windows Server\Bin\WebApps\CloudTest

Virtual Directory    : /Remote
Application Pool     : RemoteAppPool
Content Path         : C:\Program Files\Windows Server\Bin\WebApps\RemoteAccess

Virtual Directory    : /services
Application Pool     : WebApiService
Content Path         : C:\Program Files\Windows Server\Bin\WebApps\WebApi

Virtual Directory    : /CertSrv
Application Pool     : DefaultAppPool
Content Path         : C:\Windows\system32\CertSrv\en-US

Checking AppPools..

Pool Name            : .NET v4.5
Enabled 32bit Apps   : False

.NET Version         : v4.0
State                : Started

Pool Name            : .NET v4.5 Classic
Enabled 32bit Apps   : False
.NET Version         : v4.0
State                : Started

Pool Name            : CertWebService_App
Enabled 32bit Apps   : False
.NET Version         : v4.0
State                : Started

Pool Name            : Client_App
Enabled 32bit Apps   : False
.NET Version         : v4.0
State                : Started

Pool Name            : ConnectivityAppPool
Enabled 32bit Apps   : False
.NET Version         : v4.0
State                : Started

Pool Name            : DefaultAppPool
Enabled 32bit Apps   : False
.NET Version         : v4.0
State                : Started

Pool Name            : MacWebService_App
Enabled 32bit Apps   : False
.NET Version         : v4.0
State                : Started

Pool Name            : RemoteAppPool
Enabled 32bit Apps   : False
.NET Version         : v4.0
State                : Stopped

Pool Name            : RootApp
Enabled 32bit Apps   : False
.NET Version         : v4.0
State                : Started

Pool Name            : WebApiService
Enabled 32bit Apps   : False
.NET Version         : v4.0
State                : Started

Checking ISAPI Filters..

ISAPI Version        : ASP.Net_4.0_32bit
Path                 : %windir%\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v4.0.30319\aspnet_filter.dll
Enabled              : True
.NET Version         : runtimeVersionv4.0,bitness32

ISAPI Version        : ASP.Net_4.0_64bit
Path                 : %windir%\Microsoft.NET\Framework64\v4.0.30319\aspnet_filter.dll
Enabled              : True
.NET Version         : runtimeVersionv4.0,bitness64

ISAPI Version        : ASP.Net_4.0_32bit
Path                 : %windir%\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v4.0.30319\aspnet_filter.dll
Enabled              : True
.NET Version         : runtimeVersionv4.0,bitness32

ISAPI Version        : ASP.Net_4.0_64bit
Path                 : %windir%\Microsoft.NET\Framework64\v4.0.30319\aspnet_filter.dll
Enabled              : True
.NET Version         : runtimeVersionv4.0,bitness64

ISAPI Version        : ASP.Net_4.0_32bit
Path                 : %windir%\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v4.0.30319\aspnet_filter.dll
Enabled              : True
.NET Version         : runtimeVersionv4.0,bitness32

ISAPI Version        : ASP.Net_4.0_64bit
Path                 : %windir%\Microsoft.NET\Framework64\v4.0.30319\aspnet_filter.dll
Enabled              : True
.NET Version         : runtimeVersionv4.0,bitness64

Checking IIS SSL..

Website Name         : WSS Certificate Web Service
SSL Certificate      : OK

Website Name         : Mac Web Service
SSL Certificate      : OK

Checking IIS Bindings..

Website Name         : Default Web Site
Binding              : http*:80:0

Website Name         : Default Web Site
Binding              : HTTPS*:443:0

Website Name         : Mac Web Service
Binding              : HTTPS*:65520:0

Website Name         : WSS Certificate Web Service
Binding              : HTTPS*:65500:0

Review your results, items in red should be investigated.

Next bit

************************************************
* Essentials Server 2012, Configuration Tester *
************************************************

OS Detected: Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials

This tool will check your current Configuration against known Essentials 2012 Values.
Written by Robert Pearman (TitleRequired.com)  February 2014

Version Info: Version: 1.7

1. Test IIS
2. Test CA Infrastructure
3. Test Services
4. Test Service Ports
0. Quit

Enter Task..
2
Testing CA Name..
CertUtil : 437.625.0:<2014/9/4, 22:10:12>: 0x80070002 (WIN32: 2 ERROR_FILE_NOT_FOUND): CADescription
At C:\Users\NetAdmin\Downloads\Microsoft\EssentialsTester.ps1:723 char:19
+         $alive = (CertUtil -Ping | Out-String)
+                   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    + CategoryInfo          : NotSpecified: (437.625.0:<2014...: CADescription:String) [], RemoteException
    + FullyQualifiedErrorId : NativeCommandError
 
419.6336.0:<2014/9/4, 22:10:12>: 0x80070002 (WIN32: 2 ERROR_FILE_NOT_FOUND)
437.2132.0:<2014/9/4, 22:10:12>: 0x80070002 (WIN32: 2 ERROR_FILE_NOT_FOUND)
437.625.0:<2014/9/4, 22:10:12>: 0x80070002 (WIN32: 2 ERROR_FILE_NOT_FOUND): ParentCAName
Certificate Authority Online  : OK
Certificate Authority Name    : OK
Certificate Authority Cert    : OK

Testing /Connect Certificate Package..
Connect Computer Certificate  : OK

Testing CRL Download..
CRL Download                  : OK

Testing CRL Distribution Configuration..
CRL Extension (CDP)           : OK
CRL Extension (CRL)           : OK

Testing Dashboard Certificate..
Dashboard Certificate         : OK

Review your results, items in red should be investigated.

Number 3 ....

************************************************
* Essentials Server 2012, Configuration Tester *
************************************************

OS Detected: Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials

This tool will check your current Configuration against known Essentials 2012 Values.
Written by Robert Pearman (TitleRequired.com)  February 2014

Version Info: Version: 1.7

1. Test IIS
2. Test CA Infrastructure
3. Test Services
4. Test Service Ports
0. Quit

Enter Task..
3
Testing Services on:  HOMESERVER

Active Directory Certificate Services : Running Auto
WSS Computer Backup Service           : Running Auto
WSS Email Service                     : Stopped Disabled
WSS Health Service                    : Running Auto
WSS Management Service                : Running Auto
WSS Media Streaming Service           : Running Auto
WSS Notification Service              : Running Auto
WSS Provider Registry Service         : Running Auto
WSS Storage Service                   : Running Auto

Review your results, items in red should be investigated.

Finally 4 ....

************************************************
* Essentials Server 2012, Configuration Tester *
************************************************

OS Detected: Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials

This tool will check your current Configuration against known Essentials 2012 Values.
Written by Robert Pearman (TitleRequired.com)  February 2014

Version Info: Version: 1.7

1. Test IIS
2. Test CA Infrastructure
3. Test Services
4. Test Service Ports
0. Quit

Enter Task..
4
Testing Service Ports on.. HOMESERVER

TCP 80 (Used for Websites)       : OK
TCP 443 (Used for Websites)      : OK
TCP 6602 (Used for Status)       : OK
TCP 8192 (Used for Backups)      : OK
TCP 65520 (Used for Mac Website) : OK
TCP 65500 (Used for CA Website)  : OK

Review your results, items in red should be investigated.

The BackupLaunchpad basically says the following when I click on backups

[7392] 140904.222702.1980: General: Branding colors XML parsing started
[7392] 140904.222702.2070: General: Branding colors XML parsing ended
[7392] 140904.222702.2070: General: Looking for OEM branding colors XML
[7392] 140904.222702.2070: General: No OEM informations available
[7392] 140904.222702.2070: General: Color branding complete
[7392] 140904.222702.2480: BackupLaunchpad: BackupLaunchpadControl constructed
[7392] 140904.222702.2530: BackupLaunchpad: BackupDisconnectedControl constructed
[7392] 140904.222702.2540: Backup: Trying to connect to provider Async.
[7392] 140904.222702.2550: BackupLaunchpad: BackupLaunchpadProperties: constructed form
[3144] 140904.222702.2590: Backup: Waiting for connection with the provider.
[248] 140904.222707.3609: Backup: New connection detected. Try fetching all data
[248] 140904.222707.3980: Backup: Connected to provider Successfully
[7392] 140904.222707.3990: BackupLaunchpad: Updated status to failed
[7392] 140904.222707.3990: BackupLaunchpad: BackupLaunchpadControl.RefreshStatus(): completed and showing status Failed and error NotConfigured
[7392] 140904.222707.3990: BackupLaunchpad: Updated status to failed
[7392] 140904.222707.3990: BackupLaunchpad: BackupLaunchpadControl.RefreshStatus(): completed and showing status Failed and error NotConfigured
[7392] 140904.222707.4000: BackupLaunchpad: Updated status to failed
[7392] 140904.222707.4000: BackupLaunchpad: BackupLaunchpadControl.RefreshStatus(): completed and showing status Failed and error NotConfigured
[7392] 140904.222707.4000: BackupLaunchpad: Synchronized state
[7392] 140904.222707.4050: BackupLaunchpad: Updated status to failed
[7392] 140904.222707.4050: BackupLaunchpad: BackupLaunchpadControl.RefreshStatus(): completed and showing status Failed and error NotConfigured
[7392] 140904.222707.4050: BackupLaunchpad: Synchronized state

and then when I try a manual one, it adds

[7392] 140904.222850.8813: BackupLaunchpad: Updated status to starting
[7392] 140904.222851.0465: BackupLaunchpad: BackupLaunchpadControl.backupObjectModel_StartBackupAsyncCompletedEvent: StartBackupAsync ended
[7392] 140904.222851.0475: BackupLaunchpad: Updated status to failed
[7392] 140904.222851.0475: BackupLaunchpad: BackupLaunchpadControl.RefreshStatus(): completed and showing status Failed and error NotConfigured
[7392] 140904.222851.0575: BackupLaunchpad: Updated status to progress 0
[7392] 140904.222851.0575: BackupLaunchpad: BackupLaunchpadControl.RefreshStatus(): completed and showing status InProgress and error None
[7392] 140904.222851.0575: BackupLaunchpad: Updated status to progress 0
[7392] 140904.222851.0575: BackupLaunchpad: BackupLaunchpadControl.RefreshStatus(): completed and showing status InProgress and error None
[7392] 140904.222851.0695: BackupLaunchpad: Updated status to failed
[7392] 140904.222851.0695: BackupLaunchpad: BackupLaunchpadControl.RefreshStatus(): completed and showing status Failed and error NotConfigured

So the backups failed because they are not configured, and I imagine they are not configured because the server is somehow not set up correctly? Makes me think I should just re-install, but that begs the question about what happens to the storage space and the server folders that are now on it

So this morning, suddenly, the Win8.1 Pro did a successful back up. I think it can't be a conincidence that at the same time I receive Action Centre notices about how Firewall and Anti-Virus software were not running. This wasn't true according to the third party software, it thought it was running fine. Notwithstanding the backup succeeded.

After a reboot, the PC is free of any such messages in the Action Centre, however the server still reports the Security Status as At Risk on the dashboard but if you click on the PC, at the bottom it says

Security: Cannot detect the status because Security Centre is not running on this PC

I assume it's referring to the Windows Service called Security Centre (or WSCSVC), which is running (at least that is what Task Manager says)

The Win8 laptop, hasn't backed up.

• Edited by irh1 Friday, September 05, 2014 11:32 AM

It would appear that both PCs are now successfully backing up. Given I didn't do anything, I am puzzled (concerned even) as to what triggered it to start working. It would be useful (since this is a help forum) if there was a solution to put here that would potentially help someone else, but sadly not.

sounds like the 3rd party AV had to "learn" what to allow.  If you have a problem again, I would try uninstalling it to see what happens.  What is the 3rd party AV?

3rd party AV was McAfee (on both). Maybe it is this simple. Not sure I'm ever going to know

On my server where backups are failing, the script says "error" for "TCP 8192 (Used for Backups)"

How do I fix it? I've turned windows firewall off on the  server to no effect, and the "Windows Server Client Computer Backup Service" and "Windows Server Client Computer Backup  Provider Service" instances are both Running.

David:

Old threads don't get as much attention since they are marked as answered.  If you don't see activity soon. start a new question and reference this one in your question.

David, if you are going to use this thread, did you run Roberts tool, step 4 in particular?  You have something using 8192?

netstat -ano

Then you can do tasklist /svc /fi "PID eq 1976"  insert PID for 1976 for whatever is associated with 8192

so I sit down tonight to test the port, and notice a client backup from the machine that hasn't been able to backup since December is now in progress, 77% complete, and the ps1 script says the port is ok. I hadn't touched the server since I posted to this thread. Maybe this thread has magic powers.