Backup to external drive on another computer

[Tenacity9]

Using XP Backup Utility, I would like to backup from Computer A to external
hard drive attached to Computer B, which is networked in the same small MS
Workgroup.

I have shared the entire External Drive (call it E as well as the target
folder on E:, but to no avail. I have also passworded Computers A and B, but
this is not the answer either.

When I try to schedule a weekly backup and point to the target folder on E:,
I get an error message either that I don't have permission to access that
drive, or an error message that there is not enough space on that drive,
which is untrue.

Is it possible to use Utility to backup to E: on another computer?

Note that I have no problem backing up from Computer A to the C: internal
HDD on Computer B, but cannot onto the external drive E:. Also, the Computer
B backs up fine to its own E: which is attached to the same computer.

Not sure if the file system is different on E:, although I don't think so.
How can I find this out?

Your suggestions are appreciated.

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

Using XP Backup Utility, I would like to backup from Computer A to
external
hard drive attached to Computer B, which is networked in the same small MS
Workgroup.

I have shared the entire External Drive (call it E as well as the target
folder on E:, but to no avail. I have also passworded Computers A and B,
but
this is not the answer either.

When I try to schedule a weekly backup and point to the target folder on
E:,
I get an error message either that I don't have permission to access that
drive, or an error message that there is not enough space on that drive,
which is untrue.

Is it possible to use Utility to backup to E: on another computer?

Note that I have no problem backing up from Computer A to the C: internal
HDD on Computer B, but cannot onto the external drive E:. Also, the
Computer
B backs up fine to its own E: which is attached to the same computer.

Not sure if the file system is different on E:, although I don't think so.
How can I find this out?

Your suggestions are appreciated.

Try to walk before you run. In other words, before scheduling a backup job,
do this:
1. Log on to Computer A under the same account as you use for the scheduled
backup job.
2. Use "My Computer" to save some file on the external drive attached to
Computer B.
Does it work?

 

[Tenacity9]

Can't save an individual file either. Get the following error message (same
message as when trying to schedule backup):

"Not accessible. You might not have permission to use this network
resource. Contact Administrator of this server to find out if you have
access peermissions. Not enough server storage available to process this
command [not true]."

Note that I have shared this entire drive as well as the target folder
within this drive.

Note also that I can't read this drive either from Computer A, ie, I can't
open documents stored on this drive.

BTW, it is a USB External Hard Drive made by major manufacturer and attached
to Computer B.

Didn't try your idea of individual file because this external drive is used
for backups only and I didn't have any need yet to save or retreive
individual files, so I thought the problem was with Backup Utility, but now
the problem appears to be with access to this drive from another computer
even though the drive is shared.

Please suggest a fix or workaround. Tx.

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

Sharing is not sufficient - you must also set the appropriate permissions to
enable the account you use to write to the target disk. As I mentioned
before: Fix the problem in a foreground session, then try your backup job
again. Remember: The account/password you use on Computer A must be
identical to an acount/password on Computer B. If they are different then
Computer B will refuse access to its resources.

Can't save an individual file either. Get the following error message
(same
message as when trying to schedule backup):

"Not accessible. You might not have permission to use this network
resource. Contact Administrator of this server to find out if you have
access peermissions. Not enough server storage available to process this
command [not true]."

Note that I have shared this entire drive as well as the target folder
within this drive.

Note also that I can't read this drive either from Computer A, ie, I can't
open documents stored on this drive.

BTW, it is a USB External Hard Drive made by major manufacturer and
attached
to Computer B.

Didn't try your idea of individual file because this external drive is
used
for backups only and I didn't have any need yet to save or retreive
individual files, so I thought the problem was with Backup Utility, but
now
the problem appears to be with access to this drive from another computer
even though the drive is shared.

Please suggest a fix or workaround. Tx.

Try to walk before you run. In other words, before scheduling a backup
job,
do this:
1. Log on to Computer A under the same account as you use for the
scheduled
backup job.
2. Use "My Computer" to save some file on the external drive attached to
Computer B.
Does it work?

 

[Tenacity9]

Your response is not clear. Are you saying I should set up a new user
account on Computer B (the one with the external drive) which is the same
name and pw as on Computer A? I have to set up new account because the
principal user of Computer A is not the same as B.

Assuming this is what you mean, what then do I do within the new account to
give it access to E: or is that automatic? In other words, how do I "set the
appropriate permissions", as you say?

Note the new account would not be the Administrator, since that is the
existing account.

I'm not completely familiar with this so a bit of explanation is appreciated.

Sharing is not sufficient - you must also set the appropriate permissions to
enable the account you use to write to the target disk. As I mentioned
before: Fix the problem in a foreground session, then try your backup job
again. Remember: The account/password you use on Computer A must be
identical to an acount/password on Computer B. If they are different then
Computer B will refuse access to its resources.

Can't save an individual file either. Get the following error message
(same
message as when trying to schedule backup):

"Not accessible. You might not have permission to use this network
resource. Contact Administrator of this server to find out if you have
access peermissions. Not enough server storage available to process this
command [not true]."

Note that I have shared this entire drive as well as the target folder
within this drive.

Note also that I can't read this drive either from Computer A, ie, I can't
open documents stored on this drive.

BTW, it is a USB External Hard Drive made by major manufacturer and
attached
to Computer B.

Didn't try your idea of individual file because this external drive is
used
for backups only and I didn't have any need yet to save or retreive
individual files, so I thought the problem was with Backup Utility, but
now
the problem appears to be with access to this drive from another computer
even though the drive is shared.

Please suggest a fix or workaround. Tx.

Using XP Backup Utility, I would like to backup from Computer A to
external
hard drive attached to Computer B, which is networked in the same small
MS
Workgroup.

I have shared the entire External Drive (call it E as well as the
target
folder on E:, but to no avail. I have also passworded Computers A and
B,
but
this is not the answer either.

When I try to schedule a weekly backup and point to the target folder
on
E:,
I get an error message either that I don't have permission to access
that
drive, or an error message that there is not enough space on that
drive,
which is untrue.

Is it possible to use Utility to backup to E: on another computer?

Note that I have no problem backing up from Computer A to the C:
internal
HDD on Computer B, but cannot onto the external drive E:. Also, the
Computer
B backs up fine to its own E: which is attached to the same computer.

Not sure if the file system is different on E:, although I don't think
so.
How can I find this out?

Your suggestions are appreciated.

Try to walk before you run. In other words, before scheduling a backup
job,
do this:
1. Log on to Computer A under the same account as you use for the
scheduled
backup job.
2. Use "My Computer" to save some file on the external drive attached to
Computer B.
Does it work?

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

Yes, that's exactly what I'm saying. Whether the new account will have
access to drive E: or not depends on the type of partition (FAT or NTFS) and
its permission structure. Test it to see if it works! If you need to modify
the permissions, click Start / Help, then type Permissions and look for
"Permissions and User Rights".

Your response is not clear. Are you saying I should set up a new user
account on Computer B (the one with the external drive) which is the same
name and pw as on Computer A? I have to set up new account because the
principal user of Computer A is not the same as B.

Assuming this is what you mean, what then do I do within the new account
to
give it access to E: or is that automatic? In other words, how do I "set
the
appropriate permissions", as you say?

Note the new account would not be the Administrator, since that is the
existing account.

I'm not completely familiar with this so a bit of explanation is
appreciated.

Sharing is not sufficient - you must also set the appropriate permissions
to
enable the account you use to write to the target disk. As I mentioned
before: Fix the problem in a foreground session, then try your backup job
again. Remember: The account/password you use on Computer A must be
identical to an acount/password on Computer B. If they are different then
Computer B will refuse access to its resources.

Can't save an individual file either. Get the following error message
(same
message as when trying to schedule backup):

"Not accessible. You might not have permission to use this network
resource. Contact Administrator of this server to find out if you have
access peermissions. Not enough server storage available to process
this
command [not true]."

Note that I have shared this entire drive as well as the target folder
within this drive.

Note also that I can't read this drive either from Computer A, ie, I
can't
open documents stored on this drive.

BTW, it is a USB External Hard Drive made by major manufacturer and
attached
to Computer B.

Didn't try your idea of individual file because this external drive is
used
for backups only and I didn't have any need yet to save or retreive
individual files, so I thought the problem was with Backup Utility, but
now
the problem appears to be with access to this drive from another
computer
even though the drive is shared.

Please suggest a fix or workaround. Tx.

:


Using XP Backup Utility, I would like to backup from Computer A to
external
hard drive attached to Computer B, which is networked in the same
small
MS
Workgroup.

I have shared the entire External Drive (call it E as well as the
target
folder on E:, but to no avail. I have also passworded Computers A
and
B,
but
this is not the answer either.

When I try to schedule a weekly backup and point to the target
folder
on
E:,
I get an error message either that I don't have permission to access
that
drive, or an error message that there is not enough space on that
drive,
which is untrue.

Is it possible to use Utility to backup to E: on another computer?

Note that I have no problem backing up from Computer A to the C:
internal
HDD on Computer B, but cannot onto the external drive E:. Also, the
Computer
B backs up fine to its own E: which is attached to the same
computer.

Not sure if the file system is different on E:, although I don't
think
so.
How can I find this out?

Your suggestions are appreciated.

Try to walk before you run. In other words, before scheduling a backup
job,
do this:
1. Log on to Computer A under the same account as you use for the
scheduled
backup job.
2. Use "My Computer" to save some file on the external drive attached
to
Computer B.
Does it work?

 

[Tenacity9]

Problem setting up Permissions, as follows:

Set up new user account with same pw, as you suggested=DONE

From Help (with my comments in BOLD):

To grant incoming connection access rights to your computer
You must be logged on to this computer as an administrator to complete this
procedure.=DONE

Open Network Connections.=DONE
Click Incoming Connections, and then, under Network Tasks, click Change
settings of this connection. =THERE IS NO "INCOMING CONNETIONS" TO CLICK
On the General tab, do one or more of the following:
Under Incoming connections, in Devices, click the check boxes next to the
devices through which incoming connections can connect. =NONE OF THIS CAN BE
FOUND ON THE NETWORK CONNECTIONS PAGE OR EVEN BY CLICKING ON THE LAN
CONNECTION AND TRYING TO "CHANGE SETTINGS OF THIS CONNECTION" THERE IS NO
"INCOMING CONNECITIONS" UNDER THE "GENERAL" TAB. WHAT TO DO? I AM NOT
REPRINTING THE REST OF THE HELP SINCE I CAN'T GET BEYOND THIS POINT.

This appears to be a known problem because, before replying to you, I
researched this on the Web and others point out that there is no "Incoming
Connections" to click, and Help is erroneous, but these sites do not show a
fix.

Since you directed me to Help, and Help is apparently erroneous, some step
by step instructions as how to set permissions for this external drive for
this new account will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Yes, that's exactly what I'm saying. Whether the new account will have
access to drive E: or not depends on the type of partition (FAT or NTFS) and
its permission structure. Test it to see if it works! If you need to modify
the permissions, click Start / Help, then type Permissions and look for
"Permissions and User Rights".

Your response is not clear. Are you saying I should set up a new user
account on Computer B (the one with the external drive) which is the same
name and pw as on Computer A? I have to set up new account because the
principal user of Computer A is not the same as B.

Assuming this is what you mean, what then do I do within the new account
to
give it access to E: or is that automatic? In other words, how do I "set
the
appropriate permissions", as you say?

Note the new account would not be the Administrator, since that is the
existing account.

I'm not completely familiar with this so a bit of explanation is
appreciated.

Sharing is not sufficient - you must also set the appropriate permissions
to
enable the account you use to write to the target disk. As I mentioned
before: Fix the problem in a foreground session, then try your backup job
again. Remember: The account/password you use on Computer A must be
identical to an acount/password on Computer B. If they are different then
Computer B will refuse access to its resources.


Can't save an individual file either. Get the following error message
(same
message as when trying to schedule backup):

"Not accessible. You might not have permission to use this network
resource. Contact Administrator of this server to find out if you have
access peermissions. Not enough server storage available to process
this
command [not true]."

Note that I have shared this entire drive as well as the target folder
within this drive.

Note also that I can't read this drive either from Computer A, ie, I
can't
open documents stored on this drive.

BTW, it is a USB External Hard Drive made by major manufacturer and
attached
to Computer B.

Didn't try your idea of individual file because this external drive is
used
for backups only and I didn't have any need yet to save or retreive
individual files, so I thought the problem was with Backup Utility, but
now
the problem appears to be with access to this drive from another
computer
even though the drive is shared.

Please suggest a fix or workaround. Tx.

:


Using XP Backup Utility, I would like to backup from Computer A to
external
hard drive attached to Computer B, which is networked in the same
small
MS
Workgroup.

I have shared the entire External Drive (call it E as well as the
target
folder on E:, but to no avail. I have also passworded Computers A
and
B,
but
this is not the answer either.

When I try to schedule a weekly backup and point to the target
folder
on
E:,
I get an error message either that I don't have permission to access
that
drive, or an error message that there is not enough space on that
drive,
which is untrue.

Is it possible to use Utility to backup to E: on another computer?

Note that I have no problem backing up from Computer A to the C:
internal
HDD on Computer B, but cannot onto the external drive E:. Also, the
Computer
B backs up fine to its own E: which is attached to the same
computer.

Not sure if the file system is different on E:, although I don't
think
so.
How can I find this out?

Your suggestions are appreciated.

Try to walk before you run. In other words, before scheduling a backup
job,
do this:
1. Log on to Computer A under the same account as you use for the
scheduled
backup job.
2. Use "My Computer" to save some file on the external drive attached
to
Computer B.
Does it work?

 

[Tenacity9]

By the way, we have XP SP3 loaded, if this is a factor.

Also, why do I have to go through the New User Account/Permissions regime to
save/backup to the external E: drive, if I can save to Computer B's internal
C: drive without having to do anything other than perhaps sharing the C:
drive.

Could it be that your User Account/Permissions is not the problem, but it is
the type of partition (FAT or NTFS), as you say?

If so, how do I alter the partition on the external drive so it conforms to
C: on both computers so I can read/write directly to the external drive from
the other computer.

Thanks.

Problem setting up Permissions, as follows:

Set up new user account with same pw, as you suggested=DONE

From Help (with my comments in BOLD):

To grant incoming connection access rights to your computer
You must be logged on to this computer as an administrator to complete this
procedure.=DONE

Open Network Connections.=DONE
Click Incoming Connections, and then, under Network Tasks, click Change
settings of this connection. =THERE IS NO "INCOMING CONNETIONS" TO CLICK
On the General tab, do one or more of the following:
Under Incoming connections, in Devices, click the check boxes next to the
devices through which incoming connections can connect. =NONE OF THIS CAN BE
FOUND ON THE NETWORK CONNECTIONS PAGE OR EVEN BY CLICKING ON THE LAN
CONNECTION AND TRYING TO "CHANGE SETTINGS OF THIS CONNECTION" THERE IS NO
"INCOMING CONNECITIONS" UNDER THE "GENERAL" TAB. WHAT TO DO? I AM NOT
REPRINTING THE REST OF THE HELP SINCE I CAN'T GET BEYOND THIS POINT.

This appears to be a known problem because, before replying to you, I
researched this on the Web and others point out that there is no "Incoming
Connections" to click, and Help is erroneous, but these sites do not show a
fix.

Since you directed me to Help, and Help is apparently erroneous, some step
by step instructions as how to set permissions for this external drive for
this new account will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Yes, that's exactly what I'm saying. Whether the new account will have
access to drive E: or not depends on the type of partition (FAT or NTFS) and
its permission structure. Test it to see if it works! If you need to modify
the permissions, click Start / Help, then type Permissions and look for
"Permissions and User Rights".

Your response is not clear. Are you saying I should set up a new user
account on Computer B (the one with the external drive) which is the same
name and pw as on Computer A? I have to set up new account because the
principal user of Computer A is not the same as B.

Assuming this is what you mean, what then do I do within the new account
to
give it access to E: or is that automatic? In other words, how do I "set
the
appropriate permissions", as you say?

Note the new account would not be the Administrator, since that is the
existing account.

I'm not completely familiar with this so a bit of explanation is
appreciated.

:

Sharing is not sufficient - you must also set the appropriate permissions
to
enable the account you use to write to the target disk. As I mentioned
before: Fix the problem in a foreground session, then try your backup job
again. Remember: The account/password you use on Computer A must be
identical to an acount/password on Computer B. If they are different then
Computer B will refuse access to its resources.


Can't save an individual file either. Get the following error message
(same
message as when trying to schedule backup):

"Not accessible. You might not have permission to use this network
resource. Contact Administrator of this server to find out if you have
access peermissions. Not enough server storage available to process
this
command [not true]."

Note that I have shared this entire drive as well as the target folder
within this drive.

Note also that I can't read this drive either from Computer A, ie, I
can't
open documents stored on this drive.

BTW, it is a USB External Hard Drive made by major manufacturer and
attached
to Computer B.

Didn't try your idea of individual file because this external drive is
used
for backups only and I didn't have any need yet to save or retreive
individual files, so I thought the problem was with Backup Utility, but
now
the problem appears to be with access to this drive from another
computer
even though the drive is shared.

Please suggest a fix or workaround. Tx.

:


Using XP Backup Utility, I would like to backup from Computer A to
external
hard drive attached to Computer B, which is networked in the same
small
MS
Workgroup.

I have shared the entire External Drive (call it E as well as the
target
folder on E:, but to no avail. I have also passworded Computers A
and
B,
but
this is not the answer either.

When I try to schedule a weekly backup and point to the target
folder
on
E:,
I get an error message either that I don't have permission to access
that
drive, or an error message that there is not enough space on that
drive,
which is untrue.

Is it possible to use Utility to backup to E: on another computer?

Note that I have no problem backing up from Computer A to the C:
internal
HDD on Computer B, but cannot onto the external drive E:. Also, the
Computer
B backs up fine to its own E: which is attached to the same
computer.

Not sure if the file system is different on E:, although I don't
think
so.
How can I find this out?

Your suggestions are appreciated.

Try to walk before you run. In other words, before scheduling a backup
job,
do this:
1. Log on to Computer A under the same account as you use for the
scheduled
backup job.
2. Use "My Computer" to save some file on the external drive attached
to
Computer B.
Does it work?

 

[Nepatsfan]

Using XP Backup Utility, I would like to backup from Computer A to
external
hard drive attached to Computer B, which is networked in the same small MS
Workgroup.

I have shared the entire External Drive (call it E as well as the target
folder on E:, but to no avail. I have also passworded Computers A and B,
but
this is not the answer either.

When I try to schedule a weekly backup and point to the target folder on
E:,
I get an error message either that I don't have permission to access that
drive, or an error message that there is not enough space on that drive,
which is untrue.

Is it possible to use Utility to backup to E: on another computer?

Note that I have no problem backing up from Computer A to the C: internal
HDD on Computer B, but cannot onto the external drive E:. Also, the
Computer
B backs up fine to its own E: which is attached to the same computer.

Not sure if the file system is different on E:, although I don't think so.
How can I find this out?

Your suggestions are appreciated.

When I had problems accessing an external hard drive from another computer
on the same network I found the registry edit outlined in this article
helped solve the problem.

Description of the IRPStackSize parameter in Windows 2000, in Windows XP,
and in Windows Server 2003
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/285089

I set the value to 21 and restarted the computer. Once I did that I was able
to gain access to the external HD. If that doesn't work, try raising the
value in steps of 3 (24, 27, 30, etc.) to see if one of those numbers work.
Keep in mind that you have to restart the computer each time you change the
value.

If that doesn't help, you might want to post your question to the
microsoft.public.windowsxp.network_web newsgroup.

On a side note, the only reason you would need to create matching user
accounts on the other computers on your network would be if the computer
sharing resources, in this case Computer B, was running Window XP
Professional and you had disabled Simple File Sharing through Control
Panel -> Folder Options -> View Page -> Advanced Settings -> Use simple file
sharing (Recommended). Windows XP Home Edition and Professional both use
Simple File Sharing by default. In other words, unless you disabled simple
file sharing, creating matching user accounts on Computer A and C is not
necessary. Take a look in the Folder Options applet to see if the box is
still checked.

With Simple File Sharing enabled, you can access the Security page of a
folder's properties sheet by booting into Safe Mode. Also, booting into Safe
Mode with Networking will give you access to a more informative Sharing page
as well as the Security page. On the Sharing page, click on the Permissions
button. The default setting is to give the Everyone group Modify
permissions. You can change this to Full Control if you want. Also, check
the Security page and see if the Everyone group has the appropriate
permissions. The default may be to give this group Read permissions. What
you set this to is your call but you should at least allow Write
permissions.

Good luck

Nepatsfan

 

[Tenacity9]

This was exactly the answer. Thank you very much!! Lucky you found this.

You are right. The file sharing I previously enabled was sufficient without
having to have same user and password.

Thanks again. I'm sure many people will benefit from your expertise in this
thread.

 

[Nepatsfan]

You're welcome. Thanks for taking the time to let us know you were able to
fix the problem.

Nepatsfan

 

[Felix]

Will it work with a USB cable connected from computer A to Computer
B? Thanks.