Can't set WINS workgroup name

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Level 2

286 points

Can't set WINS workgroup name

I'm trying to set up a SMB share on my iMac so I can access videos in Boxee on my Apple TV. So, I need to set my WINS workgroup name to "workgroup". However, when I go to set this, after I hit "OK" and then come back into the WINS tab, the workgroup name is empty again.

The NetBIOS name is already prefilled (and greyed) to something like MAC with a long hex string after it. Both my iMac and MacBook Air have this, however, I can set the workgroup name on my MacBook Air.

My iMac is connected to an Airport Extreme base station over ethernet. I'm trying to set the workgroup for the ethernet connection.

Any idea why I can't set a workgroup name?

Thanks!

24" iMac C2D 2.8GHz/4GB; MacBook Air 1.6GHz, Mac OS X (10.5.6), Apple TV - 40GB; Airport Extreme; Airport Express; 2 x iPod (Nano & Touch)

Posted on Mar 21, 2009 5:39 PM

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Answer 1

BobHarris

Level 9

55,007 points

Mar 21, 2009 6:17 PM in response to Curt Crandall

Generally your NetBIOS name is set based on your System Preferences -> Sharing -> Computer Name (I generally set my Computer Name to a simple name with no spaces or special characters; makes life easier).

And on my system the NetBIOS name is Light Gray as well, but if I click on it, the NetBIOS field blanks and I can change it.

When you are looking at the main System Preferences -> Network panel, is the Padlock in the lower left corner Open or Closed? If closed, then click on it an enter you Admin username and password to unlock it.

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Answer 2

Curt Crandall Author

Level 2

286 points

Mar 21, 2009 6:25 PM in response to Curt Crandall

I just found the answer on MacOSXHints.com. Apparently there's a bug in Leopard. If anyone else runs into this problem, click on the Location drop down in System Preferences > Network. Select Edit Locations...

Highlight the Automatic location and click on the settings drop down (next to the + and - buttons... looks like a gear) and select Duplicate Location. This creates a location called Automatic Copy. Edit the workgroup name under that location and apply.

Then go back to the settings and remove the Automatic location and rename Automatic Copy to just Automatic. Problem solved.

Hope this is one of the many bugs in Leopard that is fixed in Snow Leopard. Very very glad to hear that 10.6 is supposed to focus on bug fixes and speed instead of dumping a ton of new features into the OS.

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Answer 3

BobHarris

Level 9

55,007 points

Mar 21, 2009 7:20 PM in response to Curt Crandall

You may want to help encourage Apple to address this by filing your own bug report.
<http://www.apple.com/feedback>

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Answer 4

cintra

Level 1

10 points

May 22, 2009 2:54 AM in response to Curt Crandall

Thank you very much for this information! 🙂

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Answer 5

nerowolfe

Level 6

13,090 points

May 22, 2009 10:25 AM in response to Curt Crandall

Curt Crandall wrote:
I just found the answer on MacOSXHints.com. Apparently there's a bug in Leopard.

I am quite sure this bug only occurs from default installs of Leopard over Tiger. I created a clean Leopard install on an external disk as a test bench, and there, the WINS could be changed from the get-go.
It is a most annoying and well-documented bug.

Message was edited by: nerowolfe

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Answer 6

Jul 22, 2009 10:28 AM in response to Curt Crandall

Curt - thanks for the info. duplicating and removing the old automatic worked. Also my mac was an updated Tiger install so that might be were the bug is.

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