I can't connect wirelessly to my external hard drive.

Question

Level 2

204 points

I can't connect wirelessly to my external hard drive.

Hi all.

I used to have a 2006 MacBook that was connected wirelessly to a 1TB Western Digital external hard drive (as a Time Machine backup) and a printer via a Belkin USB Network hub. I have since upgraded to a new MacBook Pro running Mountain Lion but unfortunately, the Belkin hub is not supported under Mountain Lion.

Can anyone suggest an alternative I could use to replace the Belkin Network Hub so I can keep using the existing drive and printer wirelessly?

Thanks for your help guys.

Jon

MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2012), OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.2)

Posted on Dec 7, 2012 1:09 PM

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Answer 1

Shootist007

Level 6

16,703 points

Dec 7, 2012 1:40 PM in response to Jon Coley

A HUB does not need any support. Neither does a switch or a router. They are Ethernet devices and are on the LAN. Enable File Sharing and turn on Windows Sharing (SMB). Why Apple still uses their AFP is beyond me. It only works with other Mac computers.

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Answer 2

Jon Coley Author

Level 2

204 points

Dec 7, 2012 2:42 PM in response to Shootist007

The hub is connected to the router via ethernet then the hard drive and the printer are connected to the hub via USB. I've tried what you suggested but I don't know where to go from here. Below is the link for the network hub if it helps.

http://www.belkin.com/networkusbhub/

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Answer 3

Shootist007

Level 6

16,703 points

Dec 7, 2012 3:41 PM in response to Jon Coley

Well Log on to that HUB from a Web Browser and see if the drive shows up. You will need to Enable Windows File Sharing (SMB/SAMBA) as I don't think that HUB does Apple AFP.

You do that in the Sharing section of System Preferences.

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Answer 4

Jon Coley Author

Level 2

204 points

Dec 7, 2012 3:59 PM in response to Shootist007

Ok, I've logged in using Safari but all it does is give me the status of the connected devices, but not physically connecting to the drive or printer. However, I've since found some free software from Silex Technology which allows me to connect to the hub and access both the printer and hard drive, although the hard drive keeps disconnecting after a minute or so but at least I'm getting there!

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Answer 5

Shootist007

Level 6

16,703 points

Dec 7, 2012 4:02 PM in response to Jon Coley

I don't know how to make this any clearer. You Need to Enable Windows File Sharing. It is in the Sharing section of Sys Preferences. That drive does not work with Apple AFP sharing. You do not need any software. That drive may also be formatted NTFS and your older Mac had a NTFS format reading/writing program on it.

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Answer 6

Jon Coley Author

Level 2

204 points

Dec 7, 2012 4:22 PM in response to Shootist007

You were clear enough. I enabled Windows File Sharing and turned on SMB...

I opened Safari and entered the IP address of the hub...

but I don't get any options to mount the drive to my desktop. It's just information about the devices and options to configure the hub. So now I've downloaded this...

and I can now select and mount the drive to my desktop.

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