I keep coming across the same statement that says that on Vista you cannot deploy Agent over the network to another computer running Vista, but must manually install Agent off the disk.
When I put the install disk in the Laptop that I want Agent to run on I see the Agent Deployment Tool but I don't see anything that would install Agent seperatly from the entire Ghost product.
How do I install Agent on the 2nd PC (the laptop)?
Hi Stilgar1973,
Welcome to the Norton Community.
I think I can clear up this confusion. Deploying the agent to a remote computer and installing Ghost locally on the computer essentially come down to the same thing.
I take it you have two Ghost licenses, correct?
What you need to do is just install Ghost 15 on the laptop. Once installed you can manage the Ghost agent on the laptop from your main computer. You will need to make sure you set up a program rule in your firewall on both computers to allow two way communication for the following file:
C:\Program Files\Norton Ghost\Agent\VProSvc.exe
Change the path accordingly if you used a custom path when you installed Ghost.
If your firewall does not allow program rules (most do these days) then try opening up TCP port 135 (in and out direction) on both computers.
The program rule is always the best choice if your firewall allows it.
After doing this, access Ghost on your primary computer (where you want to do the control) and click on Computers menu> Add. You can then specify the IP address or qualified hostname of the laptop and see if you can connect to the Ghost agent on the laptop.
Please let me know how it goes.
Thanks
Allen
Actually I think the agent is just the working part of the program.
But I wouldn't know, I never been able to install it. LOL
From the Ghost 15 manual (chapter 9):
The Norton Ghost Agent is the unseen “engine” that does the actual backing up
and restoring of data on a remote computer. Because the Norton Ghost Agent
functions as a service, it does not have a graphical interface.
The Norton Ghost Agent does, however, have a tray icon available from the
Windows system tray to provide feedback of current conditions and to perform
common tasks. For example, you can view backup jobs created for the computer,
reconnect the Norton Ghost Agent, or cancel a task that is currently running.
You can install the agent manually by visiting each computer you want to protect
and install the agent from the product CD. A more efficient method, however, is
to use the Norton Ghost Deploy Agent feature to remotely install the agent on a
computer in the domain whose data you want to protect.
Stilgar1973-
Did you try this? (page 104-105)
To manually install the Norton Ghost Agent
1 Insert the Norton Ghost product CD into the media drive of the computer.
The installation program should start automatically.
2 If the installation program does not start, on the Windows taskbar,
click Start > Run, type the following command, then click OK.
<drive>:\autorun.exe
3 In the CD browser panel, click Install Norton Ghost.
4 In the Welcome panel, click Next.
5 Read the license agreement, click Iacceptthetermsinthelicenseagreement,
and then click Next.
6 If you want to change the default location for the program files, click Change,
locate the folder in which you want to install the agent, and then click OK.
7 Click Next.
8 Click Custom, and then click Next.
9 Click Norton GhostService, and then click This feature will be installed on
local hard drive. This feature is the agent.
10 Set all other features to "This feature will not be installed".
11 Click Next, and then click Install.
Dave
HI Dave,
You are correct, I had forgotten that the agent and GUI are listed as separate installation items in the Custom install.
I don't know how much space this is going to save vs a complete install but it should work.
Stilgar1973, be sure and set up the firewall rules whether you install just the agent piece or a regular install of Ghost on the laptop.
Allen
I am playing with this stuff now. I will let you know if it works or if I get so frustrated I have stopped trying.
Question:
You talked about needing a second license.
I am actually fine with this.
2 days ago I went out and purchased a copy of Norton Ghost v15. I installed the license on my main computer and on the laptop I have not installed the license. I am running the 30 day trial.
Let me state that next month if Ghost has worked out to be my backup solution I am going to purchase the license. I have no issue with this. I am not **bleep**ing about licensing 2 computers and I am not asking for a workaround.
In the meantime, is there any reason why utilizing the 'agent' software on the laptop would not work because I was using the 30 day trial?
Thanks
Stilgar
HI Stilgar1973,
I was not inferring or implying anything with my mention about the license, it was only meant to inform because some users don't realize this.
As far as the trial version having an impact, no it won't. The only limitation the trial has is that you cannot do the restore but everything else is functional.
Did you go through the steps in the preceeding 3 posts with regards to installing the agent on the laptop and setting up the firewall rules I mentioned?
If so are you able to connect to the laptop from the Ghost interface on your main computer?
Thanks much
Allen
I could use a little help with the firewall settings on Windows 7.
redk9258 wrote:I could use a little help with the firewall settings on Windows 7.
HI redk9258
Could you provide a little more detail as to what Norton Product you require help with and its version. Information on the issue you are trying to resolve would be useful also.
Thanks
Hi redk9258,
Are you wanting to accomplish the same thing as the OP to allow Ghost to connect to a remote agent?
The following Microsoft article should help. It explains both setting up a program rule in the firewall and a port rule.
It is best to use the program control method if you can accomplish what you need.
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Allow-a-program-to-communicate-through-Windows-Firewall
Hope this helps.
Thanks
Allen
Allen,
Yes, I want to try to remotely control Ghost 15 from another PC. I have Ghost installed on my wife's laptop and it would be nice to run a backup for her without bothering her. I have tried messing with the firewall but have had no success. I think I am close but missing something small. It probably only takes one small setting for the firewall to block access. I'll have a look at the link you posted and give it a whirl.
Thanks!
HI redk9258,
This always proves to be a bit tricky and trust me I had to mess with it a bit to get it all working too.
Have you temporarily disabled the firewall on both computers to ensure that the firewall is in fact what prevents it from working?
Depending on file sharing configuration and such you might also need to ensure that you have an account on the laptop which matches your account on the other computer, even to the point of using the same password.
Please let me know how it goes.
Thanks
Allen
I haven't disabled the firewall yet. But on both firewalls I have TCP 135 open and added Ghost as a rule.
I tried going into networking properties and opening turning EVERYTHING on (network discover, file sharing, public folder sharing, print sharing and password protected sharing).
My username on the laptop and username on Main is the same. The password is the same on both machines (to log into the laptop from the PC I type in Laptop/Username)
Vista Pro is running on both boxes.
I tried installing agent off the CD onto the Laptop. When that didn't work I did the full install of Ghost and updated it with service pack 2.
It looks to me that the big problem is an error that says 'Access denied'. It looks like SOMETHING on the laptop is denying access once the username/pass is submitted.
FWIW: I have shared folders on the laptop and I can reach those folders without any problem through explorer.
If you give me any new ideas I will try them. But at the moment I have kind of given up.
What I have decided on was to leave ghost on the laptop and to do my backups onto the laptops hard drive.
Allen,
I tried to turn off firewall on both PCs. No go. I have a user account named "Ghost" on both PCs with the same password. I wonder if there is something in the router blocking access. Maybe there is a certain service not running?
Hi Stilgar1973,
Thanks for the update. You really need to try temporarily disabling the firewall to ensure that is the issue or not. This can be done safely by disconnecting from the public internet for the duration of the test. There are other things that can cause something like this so rather than possibly wasting time looking at the wrong thing we really need you to try this.
As you saw redk9258 indicated disabling the firewall had no affect. Yours probably is firewall but we can't know for sure until we confirm it.
What firewall do you use? Is it Vista's firewall or a 3rd party firewall and if so which one? If you use a 3rd party firewall, check to make sure that the Vista firewall is not also on. In essence make sure you have only one firewall enabled.
For your port firewall rule, try moving it to the top of the list.
Also, is the user account you are using a limited user account or does it have Admin rights? I would recommend administrative user.
You said you are doing backups to your laptops hard drive. I don't recommend this. The whole idea of doing the backup is to protect you in the event that your hard drive crashes or some other serious problem.
Until we get the remote control working can you back up to an external USB drive which you can connect to your laptop as needed?
I will work with you and do my best to get this working for you.
Thanks
Allen
redk9258 wrote:Allen,
I tried to turn off firewall on both PCs. No go. I have a user account named "Ghost" on both PCs with the same password. I wonder if there is something in the router blocking access. Maybe there is a certain service not running?
HI redk9258,
As I asked the OP, does this account have Admin rights? If not, please try this.
Next I want to see the settings for the Norton Ghost service. Please access start menu and type services in the search box. In the services windows scroll down and find the Norton Ghost service. Right click this entry and select Properties.
In the General tab you should be set to automatic. In the Log On tab, you are probably set to Local System account (the default on installation). Please check the sub-box Allow service to interact with the desktop. If this does not solve the problem (it probably won't, honestly) then try setting to This Account. You will then need to supply the username and password.
If neither of these works then it could be something with the router but it would seem pretty odd that this would interfere. You didn't set up any special filtering or other configuration on the router, did you?
Thanks
Allen
HI redk9258,
As I asked the OP, does this account have Admin rights? If not, please try this.
Yes both have administrative rights.
Next I want to see the settings for the Norton Ghost service. Please access start menu and type services in the search box. In the services windows scroll down and find the Norton Ghost service. Right click this entry and select Properties.
In the General tab you should be set to automatic. In the Log On tab, you are probably set to Local System account (the default on installation). Please check the sub-box Allow service to interact with the desktop. If this does not solve the problem (it probably won't, honestly) then try setting to This Account. You will then need to supply the username and password.
OK tried all of that and tried connecting both ways. No go.
If neither of these works then it could be something with the router but it would seem pretty odd that this would interfere. You didn't set up any special filtering or other configuration on the router, did you?
Nothing special.
Thanks
Allen
Thanks for trying. I think I'll just grab the laptop from her to run the back ups when I want. I don't schedule on this PC because it is too inconsistent as to when it is on.
Hi redk9258,
Thanks for the update. Which anti-virus software do you have and are you sure it does not also have a built in firewall?
What happens when you attempt to connect to the Ghost client on the laptop? What error message do you get, etc?
Are both your main computer and the laptop running Windows 7? This should be solvable.
I don't yet have Windows 7 installed but I very recently bought a test laptop which has Windows 7 and I will be installing Ghost on it. I also will be upgrading my main desktop computer to W7 very soon so I should soon find out if there is seomthing unique about W7 vs Vista.
I plan to get this working on my setup no matter what it takes and will be sure to let you know about any discoveries I make in that process.
If worst comes to worst we could always start a new thread on your issue and I can try to get Symantec involved if I am not able to get it solved for you myself.
Thanks
Allen
AllenM wrote:Hi redk9258,
Thanks for the update. Which anti-virus software do you have and are you sure it does not also have a built in firewall?
Microsoft Security Essentials - It did not complain about anything nor does it have a firewall.
What happens when you attempt to connect to the Ghost client on the laptop? What error message do you get, etc?
This...
Are both your main computer and the laptop running Windows 7? This should be solvable.
Both Windows 7. Can browse files and folder fine.
I don't yet have Windows 7 installed but I very recently bought a test laptop which has Windows 7 and I will be installing Ghost on it. I also will be upgrading my main desktop computer to W7 very soon so I should soon find out if there is something unique about W7 vs Vista.
I plan to get this working on my setup no matter what it takes and will be sure to let you know about any discoveries I make in that process.
If worst comes to worst we could always start a new thread on your issue and I can try to get Symantec involved if I am not able to get it solved for you myself.
It would be nice to get it working. If not, It's not a big deal. As long as it backs the hard drive up properly. That is what I bought the software for. It does seem to work OK for that.
Thanks
Allen
Thank You!
Hi redk9258,
That looks exactly like the error message one would receive due to firewall blocking but apparently in your case that is not the issue.
I will do some more research on this and of course since I will have a configuration similar to yours soon I will let you know what I find.
Two other thoughts for now.
1. Is UAC enabled on the laptop? If so can you try disabling this for a quick test? I've seen UAC cause a quite a few strange symptoms before.
2. Are you able to go the other way and connect from laptop to your main computer?
Apart from this I will get back to you as soon as I've had a chance to get this working on my setup after upgrading to W7.
Thanks very much
Allen
I keep coming across the same statement that says that on Vista you cannot deploy Agent over the network to another computer running Vista, but must manually install Agent off the disk.
When I put the install disk in the Laptop that I want Agent to run on I see the Agent Deployment Tool but I don't see anything that would install Agent seperatly from the entire Ghost product.
How do I install Agent on the 2nd PC (the laptop)?
