Question

PC's can see Mac in Network, Mac can't see PC's under NETWORK......

Asked by: davidw8

I am running multiple PC's on my home network with one iMAC running on the same workgroup.  All PC's and the iMAC show up on the network when looking from a PC.  However, when I first GO-Network the iMAC doesn't see any other computers on the network UNTIL I GO Connect to Server and type in the IP Address.  I am using static ip addresses.  The only way to see the PC is to GO Connect to Server, otherwise the Network command sees nothing on my workgroup.  Is this normal functionality for the MAC O/S?  I am a newbie to MACS.  Using Mac OS X, Version 10.5.8.

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Asked On
2009-08-23 at 03:29:44ID24674482
Tags

MAC/Windows Networking

Topic

Apple Networking

Participating Experts
1
Points
500
Comments
6

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Answers

 

by: eoinosullivanPosted on 2009-08-23 at 04:29:25ID: 25162220

While setting static IP addresses can help you manage your computers... the downside is that auto-discovery of network PCs doesn't work as well.

On OSX .. you need to enter the name of the Workgroup into your network settings.  If your network workgroup is NOT called "WORKGROUP" you should edit it.

1. Using the Apple menu or the Dock, open System Preferences.
2. Select Network preference pane.
3. From the left pane, select the Ethernet network connection.
4. Go to the bottom of the right pane and click the Advanced button.
5. Select WINS from the horizontal menu.
6. Input the Workgroup name or use the dropdown to select it.
7. Click the OK button.
8. Close the Network window.

You can also add the PCs to your favorites in the OSX "Connect to Server" dialog box.

Another option is to install Bonjour Services on the Windows PCs which will help your Mac detect them on the network.
On the mac a great little utility called Bonjour Mounter helps find and mount these volumes
http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/29844/bonjour-mounter


 

by: davidw8Posted on 2009-08-23 at 05:20:22ID: 25162342

eoinosullivan,
Thank you for your prompt response.  My workgroup was properly entered into the Network Settings.  Unless I use the OSX "Connect to Server" Dialog Box to enter my favorites they do not show in the Network Folder.  Why aren't the PC's showing in the network folder until I enter them as favorites in the "Connect to Server" Dialog Box?

Lastly, is there an App that allows me to see my entire Workgroup from the iMac?  Or, is this the Bonjour Mounter that you mention above?

 

by: eoinosullivanPosted on 2009-08-23 at 05:40:22ID: 25162396

David
There can be several reasons why the OSX mac cannot see the Windows PCs by default .. are the Windows Firewalls switched on? or another Firewall?  Is all local network traffic permitted?

Mac OS X leverages the CIFS Browser Protocol to enable PCs to appear in the "SHARED" section of the Finder windows sidebar and for Macs to appear in Windows workgroups. Ports 137, 138, and 139 should not be blocked on your PC firewalls.

Another issue is that because you've used FIXED IP addresses the DHCP server on your router does not fulfill any role in advertising the computers to each other .. in effect all your PCs and Mac are connected but anonymous.  The funny thing is that auto-detect can often work better when you use dynamic IP addresses.

The reason for suggesting Bonjour is that this is an additional protocol which was developed a while ago and which is used by iTunes and other technologies developed by Apple.  It forces the PCs to advertise themselves on the local network and will "help" OSX to detect them and add them to the shared section in the Finder.
Before embarking on the Bonjour route .. check firewalls etc.
It also helps to ensure that the user account that you login to the mac ... say "username" also exists as a user on all your PCs.  It makes connecting and sharing easier and faster if your logged in Mac user has permissions to use resources on each PC.


 

by: davidw8Posted on 2009-08-23 at 05:44:35ID: 31619341

Thank you very much.
David Winkler

 

by: davidw8Posted on 2009-08-23 at 05:53:29ID: 25162426

eoinosullivan,

You stated, "It also helps to ensure that the user account that you login to the mac ... say "username" also exists as a user on all your PCs.  It makes connecting and sharing easier and faster if your logged in Mac user has permissions to use resources on each PC."

Is it possible to change my account name on my iMAC so that it matches the usernames on my two pc's that i want to connect to most often in my PC Workgroup?
David

 

by: eoinosullivanPosted on 2009-08-23 at 06:00:37ID: 25162443

You could just create a NEW user account .. but if you've lots of documents, music and settings then a change of short username is recommended.

To change the username (in OSX 10.5 it is pretty straightforward) you need to temporarily enable the special ROOT user account.
Full instructions here
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1428

Don't forget to follow the first step link and see how to enable the ROOT user .. you can disable it again afterwards for safety.


On older OSX 10.4 and earlier it was MUCH messier to change the default username .. there is a great tool out there for it though
http://www.danfrakes.com/

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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