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Level 1

1 points

MacBook doesn't see network??

I am brand new to Macs and have a Vista Home network which all our XP and Vista PCs run flawlessly on. My new Macbook connects to the internet just fine wirelessly and via ethernet cable but I cannot get it to see the network for file sharing and using the printer (HP 932C) which is connected to our main Dell Vista Desktop PC. All other laptops see and use the printer without a problem but the MacBook doesn't see the printer or other computers on the network(file sharing and printer sharing is turned on. Strange thing is when I go into Network in System Prefs. and go to the DNS tab it lists the DSL modem(Westell) our DSL service uses but not the Router (Netgear) which the Macbook and all other computers use to get to the Westell modem. Shouldn't it see the Wireless router before seeing the modem, Also I connected the Macbook directly using ethernet cable and still it doesn't see the printer, network or computers in the network.

Mac OS X (10.5.3)

Posted on Jun 4, 2008 1:01 PM

35 replies

iFelix

Level 8

35,155 points

Jun 12, 2008 8:00 AM in response to Pinger

Pinger wrote:
I am brand new to Macs and have a Vista Home network which all our XP and Vista PCs run flawlessly on. My new Macbook connects to the internet just fine wirelessly and via ethernet cable but I cannot get it to see the network for file sharing

A lot depends on what and how you want to share files on both the Mac and the Vista PC.

Often the easiest solution is to ensure that the usernames on the PCs and the Mac match - not always possible.

The Sharing and Discovery settings are also crucial.

Sharing files between a Windows Vista Home Edition PC and a Mac running OS X Leopard 10.5
http://tech.ifelix.net/3022.html

iFelix

Pinger Author

Level 1

1 points

Jun 13, 2008 2:09 PM in response to Scott Radloff

Scott Thank you so much for all your help, you definitely have me on the right road!!
I was able to get the Macbook to see and receive files from my Vista PC and my daughter's XP Pro PC(which was most important since the MacBook was her graduation present and I was able to transfer all her files over from the XP Pro PC to her MacBook).
NOW, two more questions, I still cannot get the printer to be recognized by the MacBook (and Bonjour which is installed on the Vista PC which is where the printer is networked off doesn't see it, I think it is very strange that Bonjour doesn't see the printer on the PC it is installed on).

Secondly, Safari seems VERY slow, to the point where my daughter has been using the old XP Pro laptop instead of the MacBook because it is soo slow surfing the net. I have to say there are many times I've been on the MacBook and it has taken forever to load pages at times. Is there any tweaks to improve surfing speeds on the MacBook. Distance from the wireless router isn't the problem since at most times we're using the MacBook we're only about 10-15 feet from it where the XP Pro laptop is on a completely different floor(probably around 20-30 feet away.
Rodney I tried your solution but didn't work ALTHOUGH after putting in "name resolve order = lmhosts bcast wins" I found no way to "Save" before exiting Terminal. Even in closing it never asks if I want to save changes it just gives me the option of closing or canceling.

Jun 13, 2008 11:44 PM in response to Pinger

Pinger,

Bonjour, installed on the PC, will allow the PC to "see" Bonjour-shared printers. Obviously, the one that is currently connected to your PC is not being shared via Bonjour. It's still "Windows Sharing."

On the Mac:

Open System Preferences>Print & Fax. If you need to, unlock the padlock at the bottom of the window. Below the list of printers at the left side of the window, click the "+" button (you don't see your printer in the list already, do you?). This will bring up another window. One of the tabs in this window is the "Windows Printer Sharing" tab; select it.

After your Mac scans the network, you should see the shared printer in this window. Select it, and the rest of the configuration should be mostly automatic. If you have trouble with this, we could try an IP line printer, but let's see if this will work first.

Scott

Jun 17, 2008 3:10 PM in response to Scott Radloff

Pinger,

Hey, I have some interesting information for you, if you are still paying attention to this thread...

I am traveling again, and having no difficulty seeing and connecting to Windows machines. Just now, I was able not just to see, but to browse shares from 2 machines on my hotel's network (Why people connect to public networks with shares being served, I'll never know).

Whatever the problem is that you and I are having, it has nothing to do with our computers. The link that was posted earlier concerning DNS resolution may be spot on, or there may be something going on with our routers.

Scott

seanATX

Level 1

0 points

Jun 25, 2008 10:14 AM in response to Scott Radloff

i was having similar issues connecting to the serves at work that are all running Vista. It was no problem when i was running Tiger, but as far as Leopard goes, it was not seeing anyone. They could all see me but I could not see them.

So if that is the case for anyone else out there

Connect to server:

SMB://COMPUTER_NAME

worked for me.

Thanks a lot Scott

MacBook doesn't see network??