PC and Mac won't communicate on network....router issue?

[Fat Sweaty Elvis]

Hi guys,

I have a desktop running Ubuntu Linux and a Macbook laptop both connected to a run-of-the-mill Linksys wireless router (Mac is wireless, desktop is plugged in). I can't get these computers to share files.

My router settings are all default except for changing the SSID, changing the admin password, and setting up WPA.

I have installed Samba on the Linux machine and shared some folders. I have enabled the Windows Sharing Service on the Macbook. They both have the same workgroup name, "WORKGROUP".

Here's what I'm seeing: in the Mac Finder, there are NO workgroups in "Network." It can't see the Linux machine at all. If I use the "Connect to Server" and enter the Linux machine's local IP, it still can't find it.

From the Linux machine, I can see the workgroup and inside the workgroup I can see both computers, but when I click on the Mac's icon, it says something like "failed to retrieve share list."

I have searched the Ubuntu forum, the Mac help files, and this site but I'm coming up short. I am wondering if there is some router setting that needs to be changed?

Thanks for any suggestions. You guys seem like a very patient and helpful bunch, which is just what I need. I am a lot more ignorant than the average Linux user.

PS: I know it seems silly to be using Windows-style sharing when neither computer is running Windows. But it seems like it should work. I told you I'm a noob. Thanks!

[wimiadmin]

This might be a username/password issue.

Hopefully ClanMills....one of our more experienced Mac users can chime in and help out.

[Fat Sweaty Elvis]

I was just browsing around the forum and read your post about the one-post-wonders...people who ask a question and never follow up to get an answer or explain how their issue was resolved.

I promise not to do that. I really want this home network thing to work.

I think it's kind of funny that this forum attracts people that get banned from various games and forums and want to sneak back in.

[Fat Sweaty Elvis]

So nobody has ever seen a Mac fail to "see" the workgroup?

[clanmills]

Hi Guys

Just spotted this one - just home after a vacation. I'm not sure I can really say exactly what's wrong - I can only share my experience in the hope that I trigger some new ideas for you.

I don't recall having any difficulty with my Windows/Ubuntu/Mac networking arrangements. Everything seems to work OK. However you know the pain and memory disappears once you get things to working.

I did write an article about this: http://clanmills.com/articles/Mounting/

- however the main point of the article is to use the command-line programs on network shares. I must update this article sometime to handle Ubuntu (which I eventually wrestled to the ground).

From the mac, use the command:

smbclient -L host -U username

Here's the output when I run against my wife's PC (called ali). I have ali in my /etc/hosts file - you may have to enter the IP address explicitly.

508 /Users/rmills/clanmills> smbclient -L ali 
Password: 
Domain=[ALI] OS=[Windows 5.1] Server=[Windows 2000 LAN Manager]

        Sharename       Type      Comment
        ---------       ----      -------
        K               Disk      
        W (E)           Disk      
        IPC$            IPC       Remote IPC
        SharedDocs      Disk      
        print$          Disk      Printer Drivers
        Epson           Printer   EPSON Stylus Photo R200 Series
        Alison          Disk      
        E               Disk      
        Printer2        Printer   Creates Adobe PDF
        W               Disk      
Domain=[ALI] OS=[Windows 5.1] Server=[Windows 2000 LAN Manager]

        Server               Comment
        ---------            -------

        Workgroup            Master
        ---------            -------
509 /Users/rmills/clanmills>

You'll need to share the drives on Windows for them to be offered by smbclient. I did this on my elderly laptop running Tiger. The networking/finder is much improved in Leopard. I think the default for Finder is NOT to show network shares and you can enable that with Finder/Preferences.

If you're still stuck, let me know and we'll probably get things working fine. You could also search http://forums.macosxhints.com/

I hope this helps.

[Fat Sweaty Elvis]

Hi Clanmills,

Thank you for taking a look at my problem.

I did not mention originally but my desktop is a new homebuilt machine and I have it set up to boot either Ubuntu Linux or Windows 7 Release Candidate. I have the same problem with either OS which makes me think the problem might be with the Macbook or the router. I am still undecided about which OS to keep permanently but that's another story.

I tried using the smbclient command as you suggested but no connection can be established. I wasn't sure about capitalization so I tried it several ways. See attached screen shot from the macbook.

As you suggested, I did some searches on macosxhints.com. Most people with mac networking issues simply don't know how to use the "Connect to Server" function in Finder or they don't have the right workgroup name. I did get some troubleshooting ideas though--pinging!

Using local IP addresses I can ping the PC from the mac but NOT the other way around! Is this a clue to what's wrong?