Good day!

I really need some Windows Server Essentials expert help!

I have a single server that has been running WS 2012 R2E Essentials for many years providing file services and client backup for my small network.  I do not use this for DNS, email, etc.  My clients have been joined using Windows10.0-KB2790621-x64.msu Connector Wizard, rejoining as needed when client OS updates broke the connection.  I also apply the SkipDomain=1 and SkipAutoDNSServerDetection=1 registry edits when using Connector.

I recently followed the instructions from Server-Essentials.com to do an in-place same hardware update to WS 2016 Essentials using “Keep Files and Apps”.  I have a full 2016E license key purchased online.  My 2016E is up to date on Windows Updates.  When I login to the 2016E, the Configure Essentials window comes up every time, but says I am configured.

I use RemoteDesktop to access the server and have StableBit DrivePool and Scanner installed working fine with my clients.  No other applications, no other odd configuration features.  Server Backup works fine after the upgrade.

I also read a very useful thread from TheOfficeMaven on various Connector questions and responses that led me to checking Logs on my clients.

I’m having a couple major issues and hope to get some thoughts on how to proceed to keep running 2016 Essentials.

First… client backups are no longer happening. When I look in the Essentials Dashboard:

• my clients show Status=Online
• Backup Status shows Successful
• Viewing Computer Properties, the last backup is from the day before I did the 2016E upgrade
• Right click on clients, I no longer have the option to Customize Backup for this Computer.
• My client backup database appears intact

Second… client Connector can no longer download the Setup.cab from the server and reconfigure the client.  See attached PNG file showing what I see in Connector, and attached log file excerpt showing a failure to download Setup.cab with a “500 Internal Server Error”.  Ive tried the KB2790621-x64.msu Connector Wizard and the .msi Connector recommended in the linked TheOfficeMaven discussion.

Wondering if there is a way to fix these issues with my upgrade install or not.

Would removing the Essentials role and reinstalling it possibly correct my Backup and Connector issues ?  If so how (I’m Windows knowledgeable but Windows Server naiive)

Does it make sense to try a ‘repair install’ running the 2016E installer again, trying to repair the installation using Keep Files and Apps ?

If I have to simply reinstall as new and rebuild the client Connections to the Essentials I can certainly do this if it will solve the issues.  Was hoping to not however.  I’d be sure to cleanup the client backup database and remove the clients from Dashboard before doing this so I’m basically ‘starting fresh’

Any thoughts appreciated!

Thank you!