"Shared" option not showing in finder sidebar

Hello D:

While in Finder, click on Finder>preferences>sidebar and look at what is checked.

Barry

If you try using "Finder -> Go -> Connect To Server" and connect using smb://nameofmachine.local (for Windows shares) or afp://nameofmachine.local (for Mac shares), can you get to them that way?

If not, it sounds like you may be having local DNS issues, which was heavily discussed on the boards for the past month. If you can get to them by name this way, it does sound like either sharing is not actually turned on, or perhaps a firewall is blocking something.

Hi again d:

Try trashing the preference file and restarting (com.apple.finder.plist). Then reenter your personal finder preferences.

Barry

Hello again:

That file is located in your home folder (abbreviated ~). Go to ~library>preferences and drag the file I mentioned to the trash.

OS X will rebuild the preference file with default values. If you wish to change them, (while in finder) go to the menu bar and click on preferences (from the drop down menu).

Barry

Barry

I have the same issue. I used to be able to see Mac and Windows computers on the network, from the "shared" folder in the sidebar. And I would easily connect (mount) or disconnect (unmount) and every computer would remain on the sidebar.

Now, in order to get the network computers to appear on the sidebar, I need to manually "Connect to Server" for each computer I want to connect to. And they disappear as soon as I disconnect (unmount) (eject).

I just wish there was a simple way to REFRESH folders. It gets frustrating sometimes to wait until the computer decides its time to refresh......or is it just me?

It seems I solved my problem, by choosing an IP address manually, instead of DHCP.
All PC's & Mac'c are back, appearing in a glorious Shared tab in the sidebar.

Strangely, a laptop PC, disconnected from my wireless network 36 hours ago, is also and still showing...

Message was edited by: iRaf

Well I still don't get any control over network discovery, but it seems like when you choose your IP manually, the shared option finds its way a little easier.

Goto System Preferences>Network , click on the device you use to connect to the internet (ie: Ethernet or AirPort)
In Configure IPv4, choose: "Using DHCP with manual address"
enter an IP address (which is in your router's scope, but outside its DHCP scope), subnet mask, router (default gateway) & DNS server. If your PC('s) is (are) under a domain, enter the domain name.
Make sure the IP you use is not used by any other device in your network. It will create a conflict.

CAUTION: I suggest to be familiar with TCP/IP configuration before you modify anything.

I hope this helps.

Message was edited by: iRaf

Just to be sure...is anything shared on the PC you are trying to reach?

Have you tried connecting using "SMB://ipaddressofmachine" (not "nameofmachine") ?

You need first to establish contact that way, and then worry about "shared" option in sidebar...

We use AT&T U-verse with an Apple Airport. What worked for me that was easier than changing IP to manual, was to switch from my Apple Network to the AT&T's wireless signal. JSG

I had the same problem for about a week. All I did to fix it was to uncheck all the selections under Shared in Preferences, and hey presto, the Shared option came back in my Finder sidebar. I went back and rechecked all the options under Shared in the Preferences, and Shared stayed in the Finder sidebar. Wierd. Nothing technical to offer, but it worked for me!

Ryan.