Fix for Error 1603 When trying to push install agent for windows in Backup Exec 2012

[Joins05]

After upgrading to BE 2012, I wanted to set up backups for all of our workstations.  I had previously only backed up our servers and workstations needed for our daily production at our sign shop.  The decision to backup all workstations was due to a new need for better safetyguards for our workstations going down due to me moving too far away to be onsite on a daily basis for any hardware/software failure.  Our domain controller is SBS 2003 running exchange, it also runs the backup exec.  We also have Server 2008 acting as a fileserver.  The servers that already had remote agent on them from BE 2010 had no problem ungrading.

However, when I tried to push install Agent for Windows to our other workstations (XP or 7), I recieved the status "Error connecting to the remote computer.  Ensure that the computer is available, has WMI enabled, and is not blocked by a firewall. 1603".  I checked the workstations and their firewall settings all had WMI and File and Printer Sharing on.  After working with the problem for some time I found that remote administration needed to be let through the firewall as well.  It was not listed under my firewall settings however (due to group policy).  Rather than tamper with the group policy of my AD I was able to enter this series of commands to get RA enabled.  Every workstation that I have done this to has worked perfectly since.

Open your command prompt on the workstation.

Enter:

cd c:\

netsh firewall set service type=remoteadmin mode=enable

This will return the following:

"IMPORTANT: Command executed successfully.
However, "netsh firewall" is deprecated;
use "netsh advfirewall firewall" instead.
For more information on using "netsh advfirewall firewall" commands
instead of "netsh firewall", see KB article 947709
at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=121488 .

        Ok."

Then enter:

NETSH advfirewall firewall SET rule group="remote administration" new enable=yes

This will return the following:

       "Updated 3 rule(s).
        Ok."

You can then close the command prompt and retry the push install.  It has worked on every workstation I have tried it on so far.