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TICKET ARCHIVE -> Missing Network Options

SurfBun - Sep 14, 2005 - 4:09 pm

Hi,

Running 10.4.2 on my 17" PowerBook, under the Network icon, I cannot see the folders 'My Network' or 'Workgroup' offering SMB services. Can only see local AFP services. Tried reinstalling the combo update, reset PRAM, trashed prefs etc.
Folders briefly appear if I either switch off and on Appletalk in Network settings or remove the ethernet cable and replace again, but they disappear after 1 second.

Any ideas?

philsto - Sep 15, 2005 - 12:36 am

Simon, it sounds like you have a good head start on what you're doing, but i'll ask the obvious anyway. Have you gone to Directory Access and enabled SMB services?

If not go to Applications/Utilities/Directory Access, click on the srvices tab, and make sure SMB is enabled... If it isn't you will have to enable, and configure the workgroup (click on configure button).

It can take minutes for Windows servers to show up...

SurfBun - Sep 15, 2005 - 3:17 am

Thanks for the reply Phil, it's the first time I've ever had to do this and it's good to know you guys are there.

Yes, we checked that one out a while ago in Directory Access and SMB is active. I've de-activated and re-activated it but no luck. It's strange because it looks like it's all there because as I say, it briefly flashes up when you deactivate then reactivate Appletalk, then disappears before you can select anything.

It's a puzzler!!

philsto - Sep 16, 2005 - 12:23 am

Good, so SMB is active. Have you double checked the configuration, to make sure you have the right name for the workgroup? You might go into the Windows machine, rename it, and then rename the group in the Directory Access folder....

When you chucked the prefernces, did you check User preferences or System prefernces, or both?

With that in mind, have you tried logging on as another user and seeing if you have any more luck?

Is your firewall enabled in the sharing preferences? If so try turning it off and see if you have luck.

Is the Ethernet cable you are using through a router or direct, machine to machine? If it is not through a router, you will have to get a special bridging cable which is actually wired differently than a regular Ethernet cable (some of the pairs are reversed)...

Have you tried kicking the machine (Windows, not Mac) Kidding, of course, but try those things...

Phil

SurfBun - Sep 16, 2005 - 9:09 am

Thanks Phil,

Yes, Directory Access SMB config says Workgroup OK.
Yes, created new user last week.
Tried turning firewall off......all to no avail.

We're on a network of say, 8x Macs, 8x PC's (kicked all of them just for the hell of it!!) and a PC server (just waiting on an XServe!) so we are routed. I can connect to XP machines through smb://192.168.1.xx etc., OK but not ideal. The main issue still seems to be my Network Pane not showing folders such as 'My Network' and 'Workgroup'.

Don't know if this is connected either but Quake won't find multiplayer games running on the network.

I'm beginning to think that the only option might be a re-install of the system but it seems a shame when it's probably just a tweak somewhere.

Thanks for your persistence. If we get this cracked, I did say I'd let the local Apple Genius Bar know aswell.

SurfBun - Sep 19, 2005 - 10:09 am

Still no further on unfortunately so I thought I'd reply to keep this ticket open and see if anyone has anything to add.

Do you think we might be looking at a System re-install? I read somwhere that someone had a similar situation. They used TechToolPro which worked for a moment then went back to it's old ways again but then, next morning, was OK and been fine ever since.