sfreeman1
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: Frustrated Windows convert - File Sharing.

Can someone tell me in the simplest possible way how to share a file from my desktop with multiple users on 1 iMac?  I have tried without success thus far, very frustrated.  I am a windows convert and feeling my way around.

iMac (21.5-inch Mid 2011), Mac OS X (10.7.3)

Posted on May 8, 2012 2:50 PM

by iCare,Solvedanswer
iCare iCare
Level 4 (1,826 points)
iLife
A:

From within the Finder pull down the File menu and select 'New Finder Window'. A new window should appear. In the left column you should see a section called 'Devices' which should display the name of your hard drive. Click on your hard drive (probably called something like Macintosh HD) and it should display a list of folders, with the bottom one probably called Users. Within the Users folder you will find all of the files for each user account that you set up. It is from within here that you'll be able to tell whether you set up the file permissions to allow access to the files. It sounds like you turned on file sharing and created access groups, but you may not have set up the access priveliges for the actual files and folders.

 

If you click on one user folders within the Users folder and you see a red circle with a minus sign then you don't have access to that folder or the files within. You can highlight it by clicking on it, then press the command i keys to get info on the folder and set privileges. Click on the '+' sign as shown in the lower left corner of the graphic below to assign access privileges to an additional user. You may need to click on the lock in the lower right corner to enter your admin account info to gain access to this feature. You can also click on the 'gear' next to the +/- signs to choose options such as applying all changes to folder enclosed within the folder.

 

Since you are a new user I suggest giving Apple a call or contacting the place your purchased your system to see if they can walk you through some of these important steps. Sometimes it's a lot easier when you are directly interacting with someone because you get the opportunity to ask questions in real time. It can sometimes be difficult to convey the right level of information in a text format like this. With that in mind I hope this info at least helps a little bit.

 

This link may also be of use.

 

http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/sharing-a-folder-in-mac-os-x-lion.html

 

Screen Shot 2012-05-08 at 4.56.55 PM.png

 

Screen Shot 2012-05-08 at 4.44.31 PM.png

Posted on May 8, 2012 5:03 PM

Close
sfreeman1

Q: Frustrated Windows convert - File Sharing.

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by iCare,

    iCare iCare May 8, 2012 2:59 PM in response to sfreeman1
    Level 4 (1,826 points)
    iLife
    May 8, 2012 2:59 PM in response to sfreeman1

    Here's an Apple article that may help you get your system set up for sharing files:

     

    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1549

     

    If you're trying to connect to your Window's PC from your Mac or vice-versa then this article may help.

     

    http://www.trickyways.com/2011/07/file-sharing-mac-os-x-lion-and-pc-windows-7/

     

    If there are specific areas where you are having trouble then please post more detailed information so we can try to get you up and running. I think you'll like the Mac OS once you've moved past the learning curve.

  • by sfreeman1,

    sfreeman1 sfreeman1 May 8, 2012 4:07 PM in response to iCare
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 8, 2012 4:07 PM in response to iCare

    I have done all this.  The problem is when I switch to the other accounts I cannot find the file.

    Heres what I did.

    I imported all my pictures into a file I created on the desktop, the file is simply called Pictures.  I selected Shared folder in the Get Info box.  I also shared it with all users via the System preferences>Sharing>Everyone

     

    Just cant find the file when I switch users.

     

    When I switch to another user there is now an icon that has the iMac HDD but when I try to access it, it says I dont have rights to the files.

     

    Im stumped.

  • by iCare,Solvedanswer

    iCare iCare May 8, 2012 5:03 PM in response to sfreeman1
    Level 4 (1,826 points)
    iLife
    May 8, 2012 5:03 PM in response to sfreeman1

    From within the Finder pull down the File menu and select 'New Finder Window'. A new window should appear. In the left column you should see a section called 'Devices' which should display the name of your hard drive. Click on your hard drive (probably called something like Macintosh HD) and it should display a list of folders, with the bottom one probably called Users. Within the Users folder you will find all of the files for each user account that you set up. It is from within here that you'll be able to tell whether you set up the file permissions to allow access to the files. It sounds like you turned on file sharing and created access groups, but you may not have set up the access priveliges for the actual files and folders.

     

    If you click on one user folders within the Users folder and you see a red circle with a minus sign then you don't have access to that folder or the files within. You can highlight it by clicking on it, then press the command i keys to get info on the folder and set privileges. Click on the '+' sign as shown in the lower left corner of the graphic below to assign access privileges to an additional user. You may need to click on the lock in the lower right corner to enter your admin account info to gain access to this feature. You can also click on the 'gear' next to the +/- signs to choose options such as applying all changes to folder enclosed within the folder.

     

    Since you are a new user I suggest giving Apple a call or contacting the place your purchased your system to see if they can walk you through some of these important steps. Sometimes it's a lot easier when you are directly interacting with someone because you get the opportunity to ask questions in real time. It can sometimes be difficult to convey the right level of information in a text format like this. With that in mind I hope this info at least helps a little bit.

     

    This link may also be of use.

     

    http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/sharing-a-folder-in-mac-os-x-lion.html

     

    Screen Shot 2012-05-08 at 4.56.55 PM.png

     

    Screen Shot 2012-05-08 at 4.44.31 PM.png

  • by sfreeman1,

    sfreeman1 sfreeman1 May 8, 2012 6:07 PM in response to iCare
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 8, 2012 6:07 PM in response to iCare

    Thanks for your help.  Between you and Apple care phone support, got this figured out.