Microsoft KB Archive/842072

Knowledge Base

You cannot connect to the Windows Media Services 9 Series Web Administrator interface without administrative credentials

Article ID: 842072

Article Last Modified on 5/10/2006

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APPLIES TO

• Microsoft Windows Media Services 9 Series

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SYMPTOMS

Administrators have the right to administer the server computer that is running Microsoft Windows Media Services by using the DcomCnfg tool. Administrators can grant this right to other users who are not members of the Administrators group.

This right works through the Microsoft Management Console (MMC) Administrator. This right does not work through the Web Administrator.

Administrators can access the Web Administrator. Users who do not have administrative credentials and who try to access the Web Administrator receive the following error message:

Connection Failure
Attempted to connect to: MACHINENAME
It is not possible to connect to the computer

CAUSE

This problem occurs because users who do not have administrative credentials cannot perform WinSock calls. You must have administrative credentials to perform WinSock calls and to modify the server computer that is running Windows Media Services.

WORKAROUND

This workaround is intended to permit users who are not administrators to remotely administer Windows Media Services by using Remote Desktop. After the workaround for administrators is completed, the workaround for users can be completed.

Workaround for administrators

As an administrator, follow these steps:

1. Create a local, non-administrator group that is named WMS Local Administrators on the server computer that is running Windows Media Services. Add the user account that you want to delegate the administration task to to this newly created local group and to the Remote Desktop Users group.
2. Click Start, point to Run, type dcomcnfg, and then click OK.
3. Under Console Root, expand the following nodes:
   • Component Services
   • Computers
   • My Computer
   • DCOM Config
4. Locate and right-click the Windows Media Services component, point to Properties, and then click the Security tab.
5. Under Access Permissions, click Edit, and then add the WMS Local Administrators group to the Access Permission list.
6. Click OK two times, and then close the DCOMCnfg dialog box.
7. Create a shortcut from Windows Media Services under Administrative Tools to the All Users Desktop.
8. Add to the WMS Local Administrators group any users who you want to have rights to Windows Media Services.
9. Restart the Windows Media Services service.

Workaround for users

After the administrator follows the earlier steps in the workaround for administrators, the user follows these steps:

1. As a user in the Windows Media Services Group, log on to the computer remotely.
2. Double-click the Windows Media Services shortcut. If you receive the following error message, ignore it:

   Unable to establish a connection to the server

3. In the Windows Media Services Management Console, right-click Windows Media Service, and then click Add server.
4. Type localhost.
   
   Now the user can fully administer Windows Media Services.

STATUS

This behavior is by design.

Keywords: kbprb KB842072

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