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ES file explorer - Windows 8

FWIW, I'm running a Netgear WNDR3300 with dd-wrt. I'm also able to access my DLink DNS-321 NAS from my TBolt and my Nook.

Just curious - have you tried another app like Ghost Commander with the SMB plug-in? It might not hurt to give it a shot while you're waiting for the new router.
 
FWIW, I'm running a Netgear WNDR3300 with dd-wrt. I'm also able to access my DLink DNS-321 NAS from my TBolt and my Nook.

Just curious - have you tried another app like Ghost Commander with the SMB plug-in? It might not hurt to give it a shot while you're waiting for the new router.


Thanks for the suggestion, but just tried Ghost Commander and still no joy I'm afraid......
 
:( Sorry. I'm at a loss as to what else to try.


OK chaps, I've now got my new router and things do seem a bit different, however neither ES file explorer nor Ghost Commander will find my PC.

But what has changed is this - if I use the scan function on ES File Explorer, it does now found my router (192.168.1.1) - previously it did not find anything. It does not find my PC however (192.168.1.100), and if I manually try to connect to that address it still says server not found.

My new router is a TP Link W8970.

I read that you can set your PC up as a FTP server using Filezilla, and connect via ES File Explorer using that. That also does not seem to work, because when I enter my PCs IP address (the external one), it just says server not found and times out.

I feel as though I am getting closer though!
 
I read that you can set your PC up as a FTP server using Filezilla, and connect via ES File Explorer using that. That also does not seem to work, because when I enter my PCs IP address (the external one), it just says server not found and times out.

Use the internal address.

If you want to use the external address you'll need to not be on the network, and you'll need to forward ports on the router.
 
OK - Filezilla seems happy with that, but ES File Explorer still does not find it.

In ES File Explorer are you using FTP or still trying to use SMB (the "LAN" option)?

Can you FTP to the computer from itself? Use the internal IP address, not the loopback address. Also make sure Windows Firewall allows it (you probably still have it turned off from before, so that should be fine).

I still want to solve the puzzle, but in the meantime if you have files you need to move have you considered making the phone the server and working from the computer? ES File Explorer can be an FTP server, or you can install a Samba server:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.funkyfresh.samba
 
In ES File Explorer are you using FTP or still trying to use SMB (the "LAN" option)?

Can you FTP to the computer from itself? Use the internal IP address, not the loopback address. Also make sure Windows Firewall allows it (you probably still have it turned off from before, so that should be fine).

I still want to solve the puzzle, but in the meantime if you have files you need to move have you considered making the phone the server and working from the computer? ES File Explorer can be an FTP server, or you can install a Samba server:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.funkyfresh.samba


Hello,

I've been trying both - I'd rather get the LAN option to work, but because I'm having difficulty I started to explore the FTP option as an alternative. Neither is working though.

I've successfully been able to connect to ftp://192.168.1.100 from a browser on my PC, and been able to access the directory that was defined in Filezilla. But, when I try to do it from either of my android devices, it sits there for a while and then comes back and says "cannot find FTP server".

Both my phone and tablet are rooted - do you think that could be an issue?

My Windows firewall is turned off - is that necessary to get ES File Explorer to work?
 
Rooting wouldn't break it.

Troubleshooting is simplified by keeping the firewall turned off. Once it's working you turn on the firewall and see if further configuration is necessary.
 
This may or may not be relevant, but when I run the Sharesfinder app it finds three addresses:

192.168.1.1 (my router)

192.168.1.102 (my android)

and

192.168.1.100 (my PC - although it does not show the name of the PC, but instead shows the manufacturer of the WiFi adapter).

But, under the entry for the router it also says

WEB :
SMB : ()

whereas under the under the other two devices it is just blank.

Does this indicate that SMB is only active on the router itself, and not on the PC?

ES File Explorer does find my router, and appears to connect to it OK (although, there is not a lot it can do with it)
 
I just tried that app and it seems like your analysis is correct.

At a command prompt on the computer:

1. services.msc -- this will bring up the Windows services list. Make sure "Server" is started. I can't remember which others need to be running for this, but there are more...might need to search the web for it.

2. netstat -an -- look for "listening" on ports related to SMB...IIRC, 139 and 445. Should be bound to 192.168.1.100 or 0.0.0.0.

3. telnet 192.168.1.100 445 -- this should fail and drop you back at the command prompt if the service isn't running/listening. If sharing is available, I'm not sure what you'll see but probably you'll get stuck in a telnet session with some difficulty getting out (X the window, that's fine).
 
I just tried that app and it seems like your analysis is correct.

At a command prompt on the computer:

1. services.msc -- this will bring up the Windows services list. Make sure "Server" is started. I can't remember which others need to be running for this, but there are more...might need to search the web for it.

2. netstat -an -- look for "listening" on ports related to SMB...IIRC, 139 and 445. Should be bound to 192.168.1.100 or 0.0.0.0.

3. telnet 192.168.1.100 445 -- this should fail and drop you back at the command prompt if the service isn't running/listening. If sharing is available, I'm not sure what you'll see but probably you'll get stuck in a telnet session with some difficulty getting out (X the window, that's fine).


Hi,

I tried those three things and they all seemed to check out OK. interestingly, telnet did not work first time as apparently it is not installed by default on windows 8. I had to add it using the control panel to add additional windows components. Whilst doing that, I could see that there were lots of components missing, so I decided to add them all, thinking that one or more of them might be related to my SMB issue. When I tried that, I got an error message saying that my component store is corrupted.

Need to find out how to fix that - maybe all these problems are related?
 
Hi,

I tried those three things and they all seemed to check out OK. interestingly, telnet did not work first time as apparently it is not installed by default on windows 8. I had to add it using the control panel to add additional windows components. Whilst doing that, I could see that there were lots of components missing, so I decided to add them all, thinking that one or more of them might be related to my SMB issue. When I tried that, I got an error message saying that my component store is corrupted.

Need to find out how to fix that - maybe all these problems are related?

Got it to work!

And its such a simple fix, I'm kicking myself for not latching onto it sooner......

On my PC I've got the AT&T Global Network client software installed, which allows me to connect to my work's VPN for checking email. Even though the software was not running, the AT&T firewall was still active - as soon as I switched that off, it all started to work!! When I used Sharesfinder now, it attributes my PC's name to 168.192.1.100, and says SMB () underneath it.

ES File explorer also works.

Phew!

Thanks for all your help.
 
That's great! Does that software allow you to poke holes in the firewall for individual ports?

In the meantime, "component store is corrupted" does indeed sound like something that might need fixing. I've had no experience with that one, though.
 
That's great! Does that software allow you to poke holes in the firewall for individual ports?

In the meantime, "component store is corrupted" does indeed sound like something that might need fixing. I've had no experience with that one, though.

Turns out component store is corrupted is a common fault when trying to add .NET 3.5 via the add windows components feature in Control Panel - I'm not too worried now.

Not had a look yet to see if the at&t firewall is configurable but wouldn't be surprised if it wasn't - because it's for a corporate email address, mere mortals will probably not be able to configure it.

Incidentally, what sort of transfer speed do you guys get when using ES File Explorer? I am getting about 300 kilobyte per sec, which seems a bit slow considering my Internet connection gives me approx 6 megabytes per second, even over the Wifi.
 
Got it to work!

And its such a simple fix, I'm kicking myself for not latching onto it sooner......

On my PC I've got the AT&T Global Network client software installed, which allows me to connect to my work's VPN for checking email. Even though the software was not running, the AT&T firewall was still active - as soon as I switched that off, it all started to work!! When I used Sharesfinder now, it attributes my PC's name to 168.192.1.100, and says SMB () underneath it.

ES File explorer also works.

Phew!

Thanks for all your help.
Hi Friends,

I am facing same issue.... but i don't have any vpn or any other firewall application (apart from windows default.... as per my knowledge) installed on my system.

Have tried all the things mentioned here and on other forums, webpages regarding ES File Explorer (ESFE).

More details -

I am using my phone as wifi hotspot router and trying to connect my PC (windows 8.1) through nexus 10 (android 4.4.2) using ESFE.
I am able to scan the PC using scan in EFSS (finally, after multiple tries and setting changes) but it doesn't ask for user name or pwd. IT shows the drives and some folders (like USers) of my laptop if I click on the PC-icon from ESFF.
However, it doesnt allow me to access anything saying user has no access / permissions.
However, when I try editing the settings of the connection and give the username and pwd (windows) or add it as a new connection with same details (with which ESFE found my laptop in scan - i.e. same ip address) except user and pwd, it gives the error and cn not connect.

Strongly believe its related to some simple / weird PC setting.

Can you pls help me here?
 
Here's how I do it: a) Open up the Home Page in ES, b) Choose LAN, c) At the bottom of ES you should have a menu with "Scan" as an option, push "Scan", d) Your Wi-Fi connection should now pop up as an IP address, e) Choose the one you want to connect to and a log in screen should then appear, f) type in your log in name and password the same as if you are logging into your PC. You should now be accessing your PC.

If your IP address has changed for some reason, remove the one that doesn't connect and try again. This works every time on my network. If you get the "Users", you are almost there. You merely need to choose the correct Folder.

It took me a while to figure this out too. ES doesn't make this very intuitive.
 
Here's how I do it: a) Open up the Home Page in ES, b) Choose LAN, c) At the bottom of ES you should have a menu with "Scan" as an option, push "Scan", d) Your Wi-Fi connection should now pop up as an IP address, e) Choose the one you want to connect to and a log in screen should then appear, f) type in your log in name and password the same as if you are logging into your PC. You should now be accessing your PC.

If your IP address has changed for some reason, remove the one that doesn't connect and try again. This works every time on my network. If you get the "Users", you are almost there. You merely need to choose the correct Folder.

It took me a while to figure this out too. ES doesn't make this very intuitive.

Hi Glassmancheck,

Thanks for your reply...
Have done the same...
However (not sure why) once the computer is detected after scan, it doesnt ask for login/pwd. when I click it it shows ALL the drives (E and C along with - C$, E$, Users, Admin$), but none expect Users allow me to explore. Error message i get is "Login Fails - The account has no permissions".
This automatic entry created after scan, is created with "Anonymous" user.

(I was able to connect to my old laptop on windows 7. However facing issues with recently bought Windows 8which I'm trying to connect using my phone as wifi hotspot)

So when I try editing the server entry (or create new entry using "+"), I couldn't get in. I use the exact same details created by automatic scan but try to add user/pwd. The error i get is "Error, Can not find server".

HAve spent a lot of time trying to change setups and configs of Windows (using forums) but no luck yet.

Pls help :)
 
Hi Glassmancheck,

Thanks for your reply...
Have done the same...
However (not sure why) once the computer is detected after scan, it doesnt ask for login/pwd. when I click it it shows ALL the drives (E and C along with - C$, E$, Users, Admin$), but none expect Users allow me to explore. Error message i get is "Login Fails - The account has no permissions".
This automatic entry created after scan, is created with "Anonymous" user.

Something is fishy here. At some point you must put a login name and password (otherwise anyone could log in, right? :-)). I suspect your IP address has changed. Unless you have assigned a "Static" IP address this usually changes if a router (or phone Wi-Fi hotspot) is turned off or reset. Here's what I would try: DELETE the login that you have been attempting to use. Rescan and start over. At some point a user and password must be entered to access your PC (assuming this has been set up on your Win 8 PC - maybe this is the problem? Have you set up a "Standard" User and/or Administrator?). You are getting the "account has no permissions" for a reason. Wrong user name and/or password will cause this.

HAve spent a lot of time trying to change setups and configs of Windows (using forums) but no luck yet.

Pls help :)

Have you set up your PC with a "Standard" user? Or do you log in with Administrator access? Win 8 isn't much different than Win 7. I've had little problem accessing my Win 8 PC's. I have mine set up with "Standard" users to add a level of security. Only I am an Administrator and can fiddle with the system. Most agree this is a good practice. If you haven't done this I would study this and suggest using only Standard users for general access to your PC, and set up an Administrator for installing apps and fiddling with settings. Be careful if you change this because it can mess up your desktop. This is one of the Win 8 changes that takes getting used to, but is generally thought of as a security improvement.
 
Something is fishy here. At some point you must put a login name and password (otherwise anyone could log in, right? :-)). I suspect your IP address has changed. Unless you have assigned a "Static" IP address this usually changes if a router (or phone Wi-Fi hotspot) is turned off or reset. Here's what I would try: DELETE the login that you have been attempting to use. Rescan and start over. At some point a user and password must be entered to access your PC (assuming this has been set up on your Win 8 PC - maybe this is the problem? Have you set up a "Standard" User and/or Administrator?). You are getting the "account has no permissions" for a reason. Wrong user name and/or password will cause this.



Have you set up your PC with a "Standard" user? Or do you log in with Administrator access? Win 8 isn't much different than Win 7. I've had little problem accessing my Win 8 PC's. I have mine set up with "Standard" users to add a level of security. Only I am an Administrator and can fiddle with the system. Most agree this is a good practice. If you haven't done this I would study this and suggest using only Standard users for general access to your PC, and set up an Administrator for installing apps and fiddling with settings. Be careful if you change this because it can mess up your desktop. This is one of the Win 8 changes that takes getting used to, but is generally thought of as a security improvement.

I have only one user... its me with admin rights...
How can I set up admin user separately (and securely w/o messing up)
and how will that help me connecting to laptop from my tablet?
I think user with admin or right level of access should be able to connect anyhow... unless I'm missing something obvious... can you pls help?
 
a) Did you try DELETING your LAN Login in ES Explorer and try again? I suspect this may get you logged in to your PC and solve your problem. Make sure you enter in ES your Login name exactly as it comes up in Win 8, and your password to Login as administrator on your PC (also keep in mind this is the name you use to Log In to you Win 8 PC when it starts up, NOT your PC network name). Once again, do this AFTER you have DELETED the Login's you have in ES that have not worked. Start fresh after you Scan in ES. This fresh Scan should bring up the PC you want to log into and ES with then ask for your Log In name and password. It may have a new IP address because this sometimes is reassigned after you restart your phone (or WiFi Router) which you are attempting to create a WiFi spot with. This is important to keep in mind because it may be necessary to occasionally go through the process of deleting your ES login after you restart your phone (or Router).

I have only one user... its me with admin rights...
How can I set up admin user separately (and securely w/o messing up)
and how will that help me connecting to laptop from my tablet?

This is done through Control Panel. Under
 
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