Frequently Asked Questions

Question: How do I connect to my different spaces?
Answer: Simple, we create you a logon script to run when you use your 'MyServer Logon' program.  This will probably set the following drive mappings:-
  • S: drive as a shared data area between you and your colleagues (not available in MyServer Lite)
  • U: drive as a private user data area, ideal for the Directors to hide sensitive data files etc.
  • W: drive as a website where you will find:-
         test.yourdomain.com and www.yourdomain.com

You can of course map your own additional ones subject to setting up and permissions.  Let us know what you want.

Question: Can multiple users log into the same account?
Answer: No, the service doesn't work like that as data can get out of step, we can add as necessary extra users where needed.
Question: Can my trading partners see my data?
Answer: No, only the data you have expressly sent to them via the MyPartners service.  Simply get them to sign up to the MyPartners service.
Question: I have a large update of data I want to send via the MyPartners service, can I hold the transmission until all my data is ready?
Answer: Yes, please place a file called 'lock.dir' in the MyPartners folder, eg S:\MyPartners\lock.dir.  When you are ready, rename it 'unlock.dir'.
See your MyServer logon programs toolbox.
Question: How do I uninstall MyServer from computers I no longer use?
Answer: The MyServer software is free so you don't need to worry about uninstalling for license count reasons.  The count is on the number of users logging in to your MyServer account.  If you still need to uninstall the software, please use the Add/Remove function in the Control Panel.
Question: When I connect, I get an error 619.  What is this?
Answer: This is a common catch all error message from Microsoft's operating system saying that it cannot successfully 'dial' the VPN.  This is because of the following reasons:-
  • Your software firewall is not allowing the VPN.  You must allow ports 1723 and protcol 47 (GRE).
  • If you are going through a router, check that the router will handle PPTP VPN connections.
  • If you are sharing a router with another VPN user, check that the router allows multiple outgoing PPTP VPN connections, most cheap routers do not.  Here is an inexpensive 4 port multiple pass through NATing firewall wireless router from Dynamode.  It may need an ADSL router.
Question: I have a bulk upload of data currently stored on a PC that I need to upload to MyServer and keep replicated.
Answer: Use 'filecopy' in the MyTools toolbox.
Question: If a member of staff changes, how do I implement the new member of staff on MyServer?
Answer: Email support@markandrewsmith.com with the full details of your new starter (and leaver) and we will make the necessary changes and issue you with new MyServer login details for your new user.
Question: I am a MyServer Lite user, can I upgrade to the full version of MyServer?
Answer: Yes, please email us your requirements.  You will need to take a 12 month contract on the full version of MyServer.  You cannot swap back to Lite until after the 12 months has passed.
Question: How do I keep control of costs, ie I want to ensure I keep within my data limits?
Answer: There is a file called 'SpaceReport.txt' which contains an email address, eg u:\SpaceReport.txt.  An email will be sent every morning to the email address in this file showing how much space you are using in total.
Question: I want to upgrade the MyServer Logon software, what do I need to do?
Answer: In the Control Panel, use the Add/Remove function to remove 'MyServer' first, then simply download and reinstall the latest version. No reboots are necessary and you can stay connected to MyServer during the process if you wish.
Question: What are the minimum network protocol/client modules needed?
Answer: In addition to your device drivers for your hardware, you need the following:-
  • TCP/IP in which to communicate over the Internet, added when you set up your Internet connection.
  • Client for Microsoft Network to be able to send your username/password credentials to the remote server.
  • For the MyServer Logon, additionally:- Rasdial, Rasphone, ping, route, net (which are all installed by the Windows OS).

Please note: If you computer hasn't ever needed to authenticate to any file server before, then the Client for Microsoft Windows may be missing and this is where authentication problems can stem from.  Simply add it in the Network Neighbourhood Properties settings.

Question: The MyServer Logon screen hangs upon disconnecting and when I next restart my computer it gives me a strange message saying something about C:\Program may not work properly.  Have I got a virus?
Answer: No, our sincere apologies, it is actually a programming fault on our part writing the disconnect function on the software dated 18/06/2006.  Please go to the Control Panel, Add/Remove Programs and uninstall MyServer.  Next run, Start Run, type command and press enter.  In the black DOS screen type "del c:\program" without the quotes.  Note the exact spelling!!!  Next download and install the updated MyServer software from our website at:-
http://www.MarkAndrewSmith.com/myserver/connecting.html
Once again, please accept our sincere apologies for the error.
Question: When I create new folders in a shared area only I can access files in them.
Answer: This is by security design.  You need to expressly change permissions to allow your colleagues to make changes with that folder.   Please right click on the newly created folder and select properties and then security.  Allow the security tab to complete loading (it can take 60 seconds) and locate your security group (the one with two heads).  Select the appropriate permissions (or Full Access) as required and complete by doing "OK".
Question: When sending an email I get an error 513 Relaying Denied.
Answer: You have forgotten to set your email program (Outlook/Express/Other) to log on to the outgoing SMTP server.  You can set your software to use the same settings as the incoming POP3 settings.  To do this look inside your "mail accounts" and "advanced" settings.  You are looking for a setting that says to use the same settings as your incoming POP3 mail settings.  Different email programs and versions vary to their exact naming of this setting.
Question: On the sign on screen, the "Drives mapped" always has a cross against it and I can't get into MyServer despite having three ticks.  The fourth never gets ticked.  I have restarted my computer to no avail.
Answer: Check you are not trying to use the Microsoft Offline File/Folder Synchronisation software built into Windows2000/XP.  What happens is that before you connect to MyServer, you will have already experienced an "offline error" and as part of that error Windows will mark your MyServer link as being offline.  This is because Windows will use your desktop username/password because you have not yet supplied your MyServer username/password by logging on and it additionally can't see the server until you have logged on.  This is problem occurs because Windows cannot look down the VPN connection before it is established  to see the server and put you back online.  You will need to either:-
  • Manually Synchronise after partially logging on to MyServer (3 ticks and a U: drive does not exist warning), or
  • Not use "Synchronise offline folders" by unticking with in the Synchronisation setting the request to try to make MyServer offline and restart your computer.

Note: MyServer is designed to be your online service and is not designed to be operated in an offline synchronised manner.