Can't see 'Shared' in Finder Side Bar

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Level 1

8 points

Can't see 'Shared' in Finder Side Bar

I managed to connect both my iMacs on my first networking attempt a couple of weeks ago. However at sometime between then and now the Shared option has disappeared from the Finder Sidebar on both macs. I've verified that both macs have all three view options checked under Finder Preferences, but this makes no difference. I've tried logging out and in but no joy. This is driving me nuts. Any help gratefully received.

iMac 24" 2.16 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, Mac OS X (10.5.1)

Posted on Jan 9, 2008 1:41 PM

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Answer 1

Jan 9, 2008 1:44 PM in response to Anzac

Check your settings under:
Finder / Preferences / General
make sure that connected servers is selected.

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Answer 2

petrock

Level 3

980 points

Jan 10, 2008 3:11 AM in response to Anzac

I assume that both computers can connect to the internet, correct?

If so, first see if your machines can see each other. On one iMac, launch System Preferences->Network and select whatever connection type you are using in the left side of the window (i.e. Airport or Ethernet). On the right side of the window it should show your IP address (192.168.1.100 for example). Then go to your other machine and launch Terminal and type

ping <your other iMacs IP Address>

It should spew out a bunch of lines, one by one etc, saying something like '64 bytes from .... time = 12.565 ms" etc. If it says connection failed, then the problem is the machines can't see each other. If it succeeds, then go into System Preferences->Sharing and make sure that File Sharing is enabled. If it is, uncheck it and then check it again. If that doesn't work, go to System Preferences->Security->Firewall and check the "Allow all incoming connections" checkbox. If that doesn't work I have no clue... Good luck...

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Answer 3

kdb1

Level 3

770 points

Jan 10, 2008 4:04 AM in response to Anzac

Can you still connect manually using CMD+K and entering the network details?
Sometimes my shares disappear for no reason, although I can still get to them using this method, they usually reappear later for no reason too.

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Answer 4

Anzac Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 10, 2008 5:50 AM in response to Nicholas Brawne

I've checked and 'Connected servers' is ticked on both machines...but still not working.

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Answer 5

Anzac Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 10, 2008 5:54 AM in response to petrock

Both computers can connect to the internet but neither machine can see each other. I've tried to ping on each computer as suggested but the response is:

ping: sendto: No route to host
ping: sendto: Host is down

I've also confirmed that both machines have "Allow all incoming connections" ticked under System Preferences->Security->Firewall.

Still no connection though.

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Answer 6

Anzac Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 10, 2008 5:56 AM in response to kdb1

I've also tried connecting using CMD+K but no joy.

Right about now both machines are looking very aerodynamic and if I hurl them at just the right velocity and angle they should get through the window!

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Answer 7

Jan 10, 2008 7:09 AM in response to Anzac

I can't help you with the problem, but I thought I'd just add my 2c worth. I noticed that the Shared items had disappeared recently too, but I can still connect using other methods, so I know that sharing is working (the Network appears if you turn on the 'Computer' item). I have tried all sorts, and checked all the preferences I can, but to no avail. It was definitely working in 10.5.0, because I remember being rather impressed by it.

Cheers.

Andy.

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Answer 8

Jan 10, 2008 8:24 AM in response to Anzac

That really bugged me for a frustrating round about with increasing puzzlement . I restarted the Macbook end of problem . Pretty odd stuff but not too awful if a restart can help .

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Answer 9

Anzac Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 10, 2008 11:21 AM in response to Frederick Royce Perez

Right, both problems now resolved thanks to the very helpful (and patient) man at Apple.

1. A quick scroll through the forums tells me I'm not the first person to notice that sometimes the Shared menu disappears form the Sidebar in Finder. Apparently the reason this sometimes happens is that this is a 'dynamic' menu which means that if the computer cannot find a shared network, the menu will not be visible. It is still there, just not visible.

2. And the reason that neither computers could find each other, despite the fact that they could both independently find the same router and gain access to the internet is.....we still don't know. It was only after 60 minutes of box ticking and Network tests and various Pings the man at Apple asked me the golden question favoured by all IT help desks...'Have you tried turning it (the router) off and on again?' 60 seconds later normal service was resumed...

Thanks very much for your various attempts to help this knuckle-dragging neanderthal find a solution. Next time I'll know to reach for the off switch!

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Answer 10

Jan 10, 2008 12:38 PM in response to Anzac

I knew it was a 'dynamic' item. However, for some puzzling reason, it's now working again! I did not a thing to fix it either (I tried a Permissions Repair, but nothing was repaired).

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