Networking Two Macs - and their externals

Question

Networking Two Macs - and their externals

I have two new machines - a Mac Mini (M1 2020) and a MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2019), and I'm having a hard time getting them to network together.

This has never been a problem, with my previous machines. I could connect via the finder to both machines back and forth - open and edit files - move files back and forth - etc.

And not just with the computers but with any external I had connected to them.

Since updating to these new machines my Mini can connect to the MacBook, but the MacBook is having problems connecting to the Mini.

It sees it, I can connect using the same admin credentials, but none of the files are available. The "Desktop," "Documents," and "Downloads" folders have locks on them. And I get this message: "The operation can't be completed because the original item for "Documents" can't be found." When I try to open them.

The external drives are being read as a "file" and not a drive. I get this message: "There is no application set to open the document "drive name." And there's a "Choose Application" button.

I've gone into the "Sharing" preferences and added "Read/Write" permissions for the Documents folder my "user" folder, and any/all externals I need the laptop to access. No luck.

I've tried connecting via the Finder window in the "Locations" menu and the "Go to server" menu item using the mini's IP address with the same results.

Both machines had their setting imported from a time machine restore when I updated them. But they are both running the latest version if Big Sur. (my previous desktop was running High Sierra, and the previous laptop was running Catalina)

One other difference is that the laptop was prepped by the techs at work - and they had to register it with the company. Could they have set up some sort of limitations on networking for security? If so, I would guess it would block going the other direction - the Mini wouldn't be able to connect to the MacBook, not the other way around. (this last thought just occurred to me as I was typing this - I can ask them in the morning)

Any help would be appreciated.

These online articles have not been able to help me:

https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/set-up-file-sharing-on-mac-mh17131/11.0/mac/11.0

https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/connect-mac-shared-computers-servers-mchlp1140/11.0/mac/11.0

Posted on Mar 14, 2021 7:19 PM

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Answer 1

Old Toad

Level 10

217,078 points

Mar 16, 2021 11:48 AM in response to Paul Trautwein1

Paul Trautwein1 wrote:

It sees it, I can connect using the same admin credentials, but none of the files are available. The "Desktop," "Documents," and "Downloads" folders have locks on them. And I get this message: "The operation can't be completed because the original item for "Documents" can't be found." When I try to open them.

It sounds like in setting up the new Mini you activated iCloud Drive and added the Desktop and Documents folders to it. Check in the System/Apple ID/iCloud preference pane and see if you have iCloud Drive enabled. If so check the iCloud Drive Options window to see if the Desktop & Documents checkbox is checked. These sometimes get selected during a system install unknowingly.

It so then you want to disable iCloud Drive and the Documents and Desktop.

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Answer 2

Mar 16, 2021 5:24 PM in response to Old Toad

Old Toad wrote:

It sounds like in setting up the new Mini you activated iCloud Drive and added the Desktop and Documents folders to it. Check in the System/Apple ID/iCloud preference pane and see if you have iCloud Drive enabled. If so check the iCloud Drive Options window to see if the Desktop & Documents checkbox is checked. These sometimes get selected during a system install unknowingly.

It so then you want to disable iCloud Drive and the Documents and Desktop.

The Mac Mini did not have "iCloud Drive" enabled. However, the iCloud settings on the MacBook did have the "iCloud Drive" enabled, but "Desktop & Documents" was not checked. I disabled the "iCloud Drive" and restarted the MacBook, but it didn't change anything.

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Answer 3

Joseph_S.

Community Specialist

Mar 17, 2021 9:31 AM in response to Paul Trautwein1

Hi Paul Trautwein1,

Have you tried going to the actual folder? If not, try locating the actual folder as this may be a shortcut that may need to be deleted. Also, if you have not restarted your device after the last recommended steps, try that first to make sure the steps were unsuccessful.

Have a great day.

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Answer 4

SnickZ.

Community Specialist

Mar 16, 2021 11:03 AM in response to Paul Trautwein1

Hi Paul Trautwein1,

Thank you for participating in the Apple Support Communities. You mentioned that you receive the error "The operation can't be completed because the original item for "Documents" can't be found." If you have a copy of the data, try to delete the desktop and documents folder and then re add them into the sidebar. If this does not help, go back in Sharing preferences and see if it will allow you to click on “Apply permissions to enclosed items.” Then restart your devices and test to see if the issue persists. R

Have a great day.

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Answer 5

SnickZ.

Community Specialist

Mar 16, 2021 11:03 AM in response to Paul Trautwein1

Hi Paul Trautwein1,

Thank you for participating in the Apple Support Communities. You mentioned that you receive the error "The operation can't be completed because the original item for "Documents" can't be found." If you have a copy of the data, try to delete the desktop and documents folder and then re add them into the sidebar. If this does not help, go back in Sharing preferences and see if it will allow you to click on “Apply permissions to enclosed items.” Then restart your devices and test to see if the issue persists. R

Have a great day.

Reply

Networking Two Macs - and their externals

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