Please select from the following:
 

How many Photo Directories can I add when using Windows XP?

What versions of Windows are supported with the PhotoVu?

How do I configure the PhotoVu with a Windows Workstation and/or Windows 2003 Server?

I get an error message when trying to add a Photo Directory, what could be the problem?

Do you have any tips on using Google Picasa with the PhotoVu?

When do I use a username and password when I add a Photo Directory?

This depends upon the version of Windows you are running.

First, make sure Sharing is setup on your computer.  Find a folder and right click on it.  Select Sharing and Security.  Please read this entire dialog box and take the appropriate action to run the Sharing/Networking wizard if shown.

For Windows XP Home, and Windows XP Pro with Simple File Sharing, all usernames and corresponding passwords are treated the same.  Since this is a basic level of networking, each username is granted access to the user's machine through the same account ("Guest").  Typically, for Simple File Sharing, you can use "Guest" in the Computer Username and Password.

For Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP Pro (with Simple FIle Sharing turned off), and Windows Server environments, an administrator username and password will be required.  You will need to use a valid username and password for an account on that particular machine.  Blank passwords and the "Guest" account is not supported.

When in doubt, always enter a valid username and password for an account on the Windows machine where your directories are shared.

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When connecting to one PC, Windows XP Home has a limit of five (5) Active Photo Directories and Windows XP Pro has a limit of ten (10) Active Photo Directories.  You can have as many Inactive Photo Directories as you would like.

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PhotoVu supports the following Windows OSes:

• Windows 2000 Professional and Server
   
• Windows XP Home and Professional
   
• Windows 2003 (see the next FAQ below)

Other Windows OSes that are not listed will probably work.  PhotoVu does not provide technical support for any Windows OSes but the ones listed above.

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How do I configure the PhotoVu with a Windows Workstation and/or Windows 2003 Server?

This PhotoVu Technical Support FAQ is provided as information only.  PhotoVu does not recommend or give advice on any network or security settings.   If you decide to use this information, you do so at your own discretion.  By changing ANY network setting, you can introduce security risks.  Please understand what these are within your own environment before making any changes.  PHOTOVU, LLC ASSUMES NO LIABILITY FOR THE PROPER, IMPROPER, MISINFORMED, OR UNEDUCATED USE OF THIS INFORMATION OR ANY WRITTEN OR VERBALLY PROPOSED SOLUTION.

The PhotoVu will not connect to a Windows 2003 Server share even though the Computer Name, Share Name, User Name, and Password are correct when adding a Photo Directory in the PhotoVu Web Administration program.

By default, the Windows 2003 Server has SMB signing enabled for all client connections.  At this time, the PhotoVu does not support SMB signing.   When the PhotoVu tries to connect to the Windows 2003 Server, the connection is rejected.

Windows 2003 Server has two registry options that control the server behavior for SMB signing.  One defines if ALL connections should be signed and the other defines if clients can get SMB signed packages if they ask for it.   Both settings are enabled by default.  To allow the PhotoVu to work with the Windows 2003 Server, you would need to disable the setting that defines that ALL connections should be signed.  YOU MUST UNDERSTAND YOUR PARTICULAR IMPLICATIONS IF YOU DECIDE TO DISABLE THIS SETTING.  The client can still ask for SMB signing so the second option can remain enabled.  The PhotoVu will never ask for SMB signing but Windows XP SP2 does.

Since Windows 2003 Server has policies that control security, one way to edit this setting is through the "Domain Controller Security Policy" tool.  After changing the setting, run the command "gpupdate /force" from the command line to update the server with the policy settings.  The modified registry setting is shown below:

There are numerous sources of information on SMB signing.  If you are trying to learn more about this topic, please first go to www.microsoft.com.  You can also Google on “SMB signing” for supplemental information.

One more tip...  If you have a Windows workstation that is part of a Windows 2003 Server Active Directory/Domain, you will need to create a local administrator account on that Windows workstation.  Next, share a folder that contains your photos on the Windows workstation .  Using the local computer name, shared folder name, administrator account, and password, add a Photo Directory on the PhotoVu.  You should now have access to your photos. 

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I get an error message when trying to add a Photo Directory, what could be the problem?

First, you must turn off all firewalls, spyware, anti-virus or other programs that monitor your internal network.   In most cases, these programs are located on your computer.  Many of these network monitoring or protection programs will automatically turn back on in minutes after you disable them.  Please ensure these programs are completely off.   Once you have the PhotoVu configured correctly, please consult the user manuals for these products to setup a rule or permission to allow the PhotoVu to communicate with your computer.

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Do you have any tips on using Google Picasa with the PhotoVu?

There are two ways you can use Picasa with the PhotoVu:

1. Exported Pictures Collection
2. PhotoVu Photo Albums

Using Google Picasa and the Exported Pictures Collection, you are able to control the display of photos on the PhotoVu without using the PhotoVu Web Administration program.  To successfully accomplish this once you have completed the Getting Started - Quick Start help section, please read the following tips:

1. Picasa Folder Manager and Watch Folders - Make sure your Picasa Exports folder is part of your folders to watch for new pictures.  This feature can be found in Picasa under File, Add Folder to Picasa...  When it is, the Exported Pictures Collection will be displayed automatically in the Default View.
    
2. Manage the Export Pictures Collection - If you would like to add to the photos playing on the PhotoVu, click on an album or folder and select File, Export Picture to Folder... and export the photos.  After the play list on the PhotoVu is complete, it will automatically be rebuilt and find the new photos you have added to your Picasa Exports share folder.  If you would like to stop displaying photos on the PhotoVu, click on a folder in the Exported Pictures Collection and select File, Delete from Disk.  Please note, this function permanently removes photos from your hard drive so make sure these are not your originals or your only copy!  We are assuming these photos are only being used for display purposes on the PhotoVu.
    
3. Prevent Duplicate Photos - If you plan to re-export an album or folder that has been previously exported, you might consider removing that exported folder first.  This will prevent duplicate photos from being shown on the PhotoVu.  When you export photos, Picasa does not overwrite the existing file.  Instead, it creates another copy with a different filename.
    
4. PhotoVu Photo Show - If you delete all folders from your Exported Pictures Collection, the PhotoVu Photo Show will stop since it will not be able to find any photos to display.  If you are adding and deleting folders, try adding new export folders first before deleting old ones.  To start a Photo Show, make sure you have photos within your Picasa Exports shared folder then go to the PhotoVu Web Administration program.  Login and click on Photo Show, Play.  In a few seconds, you should start to see photos again.

Using the PhotoVu Photo Albums feature, users can display photos using their hard drive folder hierarchy.  Both Picasa and the PhotoVu will see and use the same structure but the PhotoVu Web Administration program will control which photos are displayed on the PhotoVu.  Each folder will automatically be turned into an Album for use in a Photo Show.  Please see the Photo Locations, Albums help section for more information.

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