network iMac and PC: Works only one way

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Level 2

205 points

network iMac and PC: Works only one way

I've been trying to network my iMac and a Dell Vostro 3400 running 32-bit Win 7.

The iMac sees the Vostro just fine, and I can read and transfer files. But althought I have SMB sharing selected on the iMac, and all the appropriate files marked as shareable, the Vostro does not see the iMac.

Following advice on Windows forums, I've tried a clean reboot on the Windows side and even disabled the Windows firewall; it still won't see the iMac.

I wondered if there's something else I need to do on the iMac side to make this connection work.

(I AM able to print to the printer connected to the iMac, using Bonjour, etc.)

iMac Alum 20", Core 2 Duo, 2GHz, 3 GB / Macbook (2010), Mac OS X (10.6)

Posted on Jul 3, 2012 3:35 PM

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Answer 1

BDAqua

Level 10

239,213 points

Jul 3, 2012 4:13 PM in response to CTS

Hmmm, should work, but on the Mac>System Preferences>Security>Firewall tab, try allow ll Incoming connec tions.

Also in the Sharing Pref Pane, Highlight File Sharing, what Users are alowed?

Oh wait, Windows Sharing enabled, is the iMac running 10.4.x?

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Answer 2

CTS Author

Level 2

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Jul 3, 2012 4:35 PM in response to BDAqua

Thanks for the reply. I'm running 10.6.8.

All incoming connections are allowed (Firewall off).

[My name], "Staff," and Everyone have read and write permissions on all the important files.

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Answer 3

BDAqua

Level 10

239,213 points

Jul 3, 2012 4:41 PM in response to CTS

Hmmm, I'm not on 10.6 at the moment, but does your sharing Pref Pane look like this with Shared folders & users?

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Answer 4

CTS Author

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Jul 3, 2012 5:54 PM in response to BDAqua

Yes, pretty much exactly.

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Answer 5

BDAqua

Level 10

239,213 points

Jul 3, 2012 6:19 PM in response to CTS

And the PC user is listed in Users there?

How about the Workgroup on the Mac?

http://macs.about.com/od/filesharing/ss/file-sharing-win7-snow-leopard_2.htm

http://macs.about.com/od/filesharing/ss/file-sharing-with-snow-leopard-win7_3.ht m

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Answer 6

CTS Author

Level 2

205 points

Jul 4, 2012 9:38 AM in response to BDAqua

Okay, now I'm lost. How do I cause the "PC user" to be included in the list of users? I have my Apple name [my name], Users, and Guests listed there, as you seemed to in the Pref Panel you posted

I confirmed that my iMac is part of the Workgroup.

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Answer 7

BDAqua

Level 10

239,213 points

Jul 4, 2012 1:48 PM in response to CTS

Silly thing about OSX, you'd have to add an Account on the Mac for the PC User to be available in that list as far as I can see, but after testing that's not the problem, just logged in from a PC to the Mac using the Mac's admin user's credentials.

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Answer 8

CTS Author

Level 2

205 points

Jul 5, 2012 7:59 AM in response to BDAqua

Well, things seem to have fixed themselves. I was running laborious "msconfig.exe" diagnostic tests on the PC, and, though I never identified the problem, it went away on its own. Networking works both ways now.

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Answer 9

BDAqua

Level 10

239,213 points

Jul 5, 2012 12:55 PM in response to CTS

Well, good to hear anyway! 🙂

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Answer 10

CTS Author

Level 2

205 points

Jul 9, 2012 3:14 PM in response to BDAqua

And....back to square one. iMac sees the Vostro, Vostro can't see the iMac.

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