Alright, I could not wait. So, I have been harping about assigning a NetBIOS name in OS X for some time. I, fortunately, have a Newer Linksys Router that has "Smart" Wi-Fi technology. Simply having my Ethernet plugged up and Wi-Fi on and logged in. Then assigning a unique 16 byte NetBIOS name in System Prefs>Sharing then give a name like: MYMAC.local or MY-IMAC.local. Dashes work. No periods or spaces. Restart so it takes effect. Now you go into System Prefs>Networks and highlight Ethernet. Click WINS Tab. Your NetBIOS should be displayed and WORKGROUP. It is a good idea at this point to change that to HOMEGROUP hit OK and Apply. Now repeat for Wi-Fi. after which, restart computer so changes can take effect. Now your Router should see the same computer whether on Ethernet or on Wi-Fi. Those with Macbooks. should do these steps as well. When doing router set up or setting up your Network settings, I highly recommend being tethered to Ethernet. These are the steps I used for my Network config in Mavericks.

I installed 10.10.1 last night. I carried these settings over to 10.10.1. Updated via App Store Updates to 10.10.2 and my settings remained. I checked to see if the update would change that and it did not. I DID NOT enable Keychain for any reason. Nor did I upgrade to Cloud Drive, not gonna do it. Discoveryd is probing out there for "buddy" Apps" on iOS as well as OS X. Keychain throws a monkey wrench in the whole shootin' match if you have OS X setup and established as you like it. So far I have a stable functional install of 10.10.2. Trash dumping of Software Mapping disappeared!?

For all who would like to know about NetBIOS name resolution, IP Address resolution and WINS - Windows Internet Naming Server feel free to click this link below:

http://www.techrepublic.com/article/how-netbios-name-resolution-really-works/

Of course there is more info out there than just this. Cheers!!

Just want to update what I have done since my last post here. I have found a workaround that seems to work for me (for the last 2 days, fingers crossed).

Using Verizon Fios, I usually have > 50 Mbps for download (from speedtest.net) and 60 Mbps for upload. When I have the Yosemite wifi issue on my MBP, it would drop to 0.5 to 1 Mbps for download.

I have just about tried almost everything that were previously suggested. Most of the "fixes" would work only for about 5 to 20 min. Things I have tried:

installed 10.10.1

when this didn't fix the issue, I did a clean install of Yosemite from a flash drive

setup a new wifi from network preference

started and stop wifi

removed various plists (this worked the best, but it doesn't last long)

removed the whole SystemConfiguration directory

disabled bluetooth

installed 10.10.2 (and this worked only for a day)

killed discoveryd

praying

Once again, they worked only for a while, but then the problem would come back.

I am not so sure about trying the latest suggestion: replacing the discoveryd daemon, as I don't know how that would affect the rest of the network stack. I was just about to look into dtrace .....

Then it occurred to me, I have a verizon router (cable modem), and since I live in a McMansion, I have a bridge in the 3rd floor (it's a Medialink) to enhance the signals (using the same ssid). This was never a problem for my numerous Macs, iPads, iPhones, PC, amazon fire, etc, except for my MBP running Yosemite (all previous mac ox x was fine too). Just on a hunch, I disabled the bridge, and only used the verizon router as my sole signal provider.

This seems to work MUCH better for me (with still occasional drop of signals, and a reboot would clear it, I called that a Yosemite induced reboot). Now I just got a Alfa wifi booster from Amazon, and I don't need the old bridge for now.

It seems, when it comes to Yosemite wifi, it's like wife, better to just have just one, than 2 (at least it's true for me).

Hi JN

Not so fast with the clever new trick - still trying to understand which of the last batch has killed my wi-fi access to my printer (no blame attached, just an opportunity for you and HEXDIY to help me out of the ****)

To re-cap: last week I flushed DNS cache, switched to openDNS, added .local to my network Domain search list, and changed NetBIOS from WORKGROUP to  HOMEGROUP (Yes this is the non-techie who's nervous of downloading latest X.X seed because I have only 1 main HD apart from ext. Time Machine HD - which has ALSO been playing up very recently too...??)

Positive outcomes: wi-fi seems v stable on MBPro

Negative: my printer (which has been a little hit-miss on wifi since OS X but largely ok) can see the router SSID but they can't shake hands using WPS which they have always been able to do.

Thought I would do the job properly and download a few Printer and other drivers I see I have missed from Brother but they require me first to have Java Runtime Environment in order to open their Firmware update so I downloaded that first but no-go: neither the Firmware update nor the Update ToolKit will run.

Where do you suggest I start on rolling back recent changes?

Regards Paul

jndupuis1 wrote:

 

Alright, I could not wait. So, I have been harping about assigning a NetBIOS name in OS X for some time. I, fortunately, have a Newer Linksys Router that has "Smart" Wi-Fi technology. Simply having my Ethernet plugged up and Wi-Fi on and logged in. Then assigning a unique 16 byte NetBIOS name in System Prefs>Sharing then give a name like: MYMAC.local or MY-IMAC.local. Dashes work. No periods or spaces. Restart so it takes effect. Now you go into System Prefs>Networks and highlight Ethernet. Click WINS Tab. Your NetBIOS should be displayed and WORKGROUP. It is a good idea at this point to change that to HOMEGROUP hit OK and Apply. Now repeat for Wi-Fi. after which, restart computer so changes can take effect. Now your Router should see the same computer whether on Ethernet or on Wi-Fi. Those with Macbooks. should do these steps as well. When doing router set up or setting up your Network settings, I highly recommend being tethered to Ethernet. These are the steps I used for my Network config in Mavericks.

I installed 10.10.1 last night. I carried these settings over to 10.10.1. Updated via App Store Updates to 10.10.2 and my settings remained. I checked to see if the update would change that and it did not. I DID NOT enable Keychain for any reason. Nor did I upgrade to Cloud Drive, not gonna do it. Discoveryd is probing out there for "buddy" Apps" on iOS as well as OS X. Keychain throws a monkey wrench in the whole shootin' match if you have OS X setup and established as you like it. So far I have a stable functional install of 10.10.2. Trash dumping of Software Mapping disappeared!?

For all who would like to know about NetBIOS name resolution, IP Address resolution and WINS - Windows Internet Naming Server feel free to click this link below:

 

http://www.techrepublic.com/article/how-netbios-name-resolution-really-works/

 

Of course there is more info out there than just this. Cheers!!

Hi Paul! If you ave established a somewhat positive Wi-Fi connection. Perhaps just do a double take on your Router/Hub settings. Make sure you're still set for WPS Setup. Remove your printer from Prefferences. Shutdown. Reboot your Router/Hub. Turn on your printer and let it establish Wi-Fi. Then Add your printer in Preferences again. Change Default from "Last Used" to your model displayed in pull down menu of printer prefs. Maybe you've done this already. If so, I'll do some more investigation.

My HP 6520 Wireless Printer has Bonjour of all things and I have the Magic Trackpad so, for me, Doing some of these work arounds that disabled Bluetooth, Bonjour and Airdrop was not an option for me. Determining Networking settings including NetBIOS was what finally came to my resolve.

Ok one step at a time:

jndupuis1 wrote:

 

Hi Paul! If you ave established a somewhat positive Wi-Fi connection. Perhaps just do a double take on your Router/Hub settings. Make sure you're still set for WPS Setup.

I DID LOOK FOR SOMETHING LIKE THIS  BUT WASN'T VERY OBVIOUSLY VISIBLE - IS THERE  A TAB (DNS, DCHP ETC) WHERE I WOULD FIND IT? AND I FORGOT TO SAY THE ERROR CODE FROM THE PRINTER TRANSLATES AS "COULDN'T FIND A WPS ENABLED  ACCESS POINT.."

 

Remove your printer from Prefferences.

WHICH PREFERENCES? WHERE? IN MBP>SYST.PREF>PRINTERS & SCANNERS? (AND I SEE AN INTERLOPER - SOMEBODY ELSES' PRINTER SHOWING UP - THATS NEW AND ITS NOT MINE- ZAP! BAM! GONE!

I WAS ALSO SURPRISED TO FIND PRINTER SHARING WAS ON - I DON'T NEED THAT DO I AS MY WIFE'S PC IS CONNECTED TO THE SAME R/H AND SHE PRINTS WIRELESSLY LIKE ME TO SAME PRINTER? HAVE TURNED IT OFF

 

Shutdown. Reboot your Router/Hub. Turn on your printer and let it establish Wi-Fi.

YOU DIDN'T SAY TURN IT OFF AFTER REMOVING IT FROM PREFERENCES - PRESUME'S THAT THE NEXT STEP BEFORE REBOOTING THE R/H? DONE IT.

WILL NOW REBOOT ROUTER AND GET BACK TO YOU IN 5.

AND I JUST NOTICED IN SYS>PREF.NWORK.WIFI.PROXIES NOTHING IS SELECTED...THAT OK?

 

Then Add your printer in Preferences again. Change Default from "Last Used" to your model displayed in pull down menu of printer prefs. Maybe you've done this already. If so, I'll do some more investigation.

 

My HP 6520 Wireless Printer has Bonjour of all things and I have the Magic Trackpad so, for me, Doing some of these work arounds that disabled Bluetooth, Bonjour and Airdrop was not an option for me. Determining Networking settings including NetBIOS was what finally came to my resolve. YES SO FAR BT, BJ AND AD ( ) NOT A PROBLEM FOR ME ... BUT I'M SURE THERE IS TIME...

Sorry. Shut down your Mac(s) and other devices. You preferably want to establish a WPS setup between your Router and Printer. Get those two talking to each other. As far as your Router, well, WPS should be Enabled. Your printer should que you to press and hold WPS button for 3 secs. Then your printer should connect wirelessly to your Router. Once this is established, in you Mac System Prefs>Printers, you should be able to add your printer there. If the WPS changed, you would just have to re-add on your Wife's computer. You don't need Printer Sharing if each computer is set up to print on that printer. You would not need to and don't need to use Wireless connections list to connect to printer, either. No matter, WPS setup has to be established between your Printer and Router before attempting to Add Printer in your Mac's System Prefs. The beauty of Mac. No printer software necessary for most models and the list keeps growing in CUPS.  Hope I cleared up some of what I said here, apology. Wrapping up at work. Keep talking. I'll catch up here at home in about 1.5 hours. I think, just getting your Router right will be key here. The Mac setup for printing should just fall into place. If your Wi-Fi, BT, Bj and AD are holding up you almost have it in the bag. Your NetBIOS is not your Computer Name. If so, you almost have that in the bag also. HOMEGROUP is good. My wife's MBP goes with her to work, so when she comes Home she's back in HOMEGROUP. Her NetBIOS is a unique identifier as well not the same as mine. Basic home network protocol does not require Proxies, that's a network horse of a different color. Java, bad. Java Runtime, different, not to be confused with Java. Shouldn't need it. Okay, now I'm wrapping up.

I have a problem too with this program. I can not use my wireless service at all... Right now I have to use Optimum WiFi to get online. I have tried everything that I have read here on Apple's Support board and not a single thing worked. Can't get online at all. This has been my problem since last night. I updated from OS X Mavericks to the most current version, OS X Yosemite... It work fine for a day and that was it. Now it has blocked my wireless. It's ridiculous and frustrating. Apple needs to resolve this issue and quickly.

Sorry, stopped to watch Butch Cassidy and the SDK, v2.  About to try major resurrection. Back in 10.

Yep, think it was either the 3 secs of patience that did it or a good push on the power cable... anyway we have wifi printing back!  Thanks JN

jndupuis1 wrote:

 

Sorry. Shut down your Mac(s) and other devices. You preferably want to establish a WPS setup between your Router and Printer. Get those two talking to each other. As far as your Router, well, WPS should be Enabled. Your printer should que you to press and hold WPS button for 3 secs. Then your printer should connect wirelessly to your Router. Once this is established, in you Mac System Prefs>Printers, you should be able to add your printer there. If the WPS changed, you would just have to re-add on your Wife's computer. You don't need Printer Sharing if each computer is set up to print on that printer. You would not need to and don't need to use Wireless connections list to connect to printer, either. No matter, WPS setup has to be established between your Printer and Router before attempting to Add Printer in your Mac's System Prefs. The beauty of Mac. No printer software necessary for most models and the list keeps growing in CUPS.  Hope I cleared up some of what I said here, apology. Wrapping up at work. Keep talking. I'll catch up here at home in about 1.5 hours. I think, just getting your Router right will be key here. The Mac setup for printing should just fall into place.

YEP ALL GOOD NOW

If your Wi-Fi, BT, Bj and AD are holding up you almost have it in the bag.

YEP ALTHO' NOT QUITE SURE HOW I KNOW BJ IS FULLY WORKING; WHAT WOULD BE EVIDENCE IT WASN'NT?

Your NetBIOS is not your Computer Name.If so, you almost have that in the bag also.

AH SADLY JUST RECHECKED - IT IS..WHAT DO I DO? THE MACBOOK IS ALWAYS HERE - I AM RETIRED

HOMEGROUP is good. My wife's MBP goes with her to work, so when she comes Home she's back in HOMEGROUP. Her NetBIOS is a unique identifier as well not the same as mine. MY WIFE'S IS DIFFERENT TO ME I THINK

Basic home network protocol does not require Proxies, that's a network horse of a different color. OK GOOD

Java, bad. Java Runtime, different, not to be confused with Java. Shouldn't need it. WELL I DOWNLOADED JRE TONIGHT BUT I DONT THINK IT HAS "STUCK" WHAT DOES JAVA DO THAT WE CAN LIVE WITHOUT OR RATHER HOW DOES MAC DO THAT IT DOESN'T NEED JAVA?

Okay, now I'm wrapping up.

DITTO. MANY THANKS.

 

CIAO, MAÑANĀ

Very good Paul! Your NetBIOS name can be 16 characters and dash only. No spaces or any other characters. Example: MY-MACMINI or MYMACMINI. another example my wife's would be: MY-MBP MYMBP you only have 16 characters to work with. Change NetBIOS in System Preferences>Sharing click Edit. Restart computer to make the change take effect.

Now it is a good idea to have Ethernet and Wi-Fi connected. The next move.

System Preferences>Network Highlight Ethernet click Advanced Button, WINS Tab to verify your new NetBIOS name took effect and that's where you change WORKGROUP to HOMEGROUP. Click OK and Apply. Restart to make changes take effect. That's it.

HomeGroup distinguishes your computer that it is not part of a WorkGroup. Does not effect connecting to networks outside the Home or HomeGroup.

Java Runtime Environment is the Java "platform" if you will, for certain Windows functions in Browser-Based Applications. It is normally not necessary on your Mac considering that most of the Printers are already in CUPS and Utility Discs such as Router Set up and HD utilities are largely for the Windows world - not Mac. We usually are given a place to go Download for Mac Users.  Cheers!

Hey I don't blame you for watching a movie. Need a break from this crap. Time for my Pizza!

Hexdiy,

Still largely untested for ALL of it's functionality, I must report that the installation of 10.10.1 went smooth and so did the update to 10.10.2. Am I a fortunate one? Here is a compilation of what was done to get here, although, disagreed with by some, but, worked none the less.

First: I had to resolve connection issues to my Router. Hence my instruction for Ethernet and Wi-Fi to both be connected to establish the same computer on both Ethernet and Wi-Fi Mac Addresses, reporting to the Router.

Second: Establish NetBIOS name resolution and whether to be a WorkGroup or HomeGroup in the Mac Network settings.

Third: Start with a squeaky clean HD fully Erased. NPRAM reset for more than one cycle followed by an SMC Reset. Mind that I performed this quite some time ago when reporting that Yosemite ran fine on my Mini and no need this time.

Fourth: I think this is one big point here. I did not enable Keychain. Why? In my option, discoveryd takes things a bit too far when it poles for nearby Macs, Apps, Software Settings and Apple devices. Example of this was found when I created a User Account for my wife in Yosemite. Her OS X account basically turned into an OS mimicking Apps and settings of her iOS. Nothing left sacred on the OS X. As I once stated: "all the bad habits my wife's iPhone picked up was brought home". Her iPhone Keychain being active.

Fifth: But not least. I did not upgrade to Cloud Drive no how, no way. It warns you! You upgrade you will not be able to access your iCloud.

I understand this may have been tried by others and did not work. Let's face it, those who are not reporting an issue are not heard from at all. So from my vantage point and taking into account all of the savvy involved in setting up my Router (manually and correctly) and establishing basic Network settings in Yosemite itself, I find that Yosemite 10.10.2 Wi-Fi issue for myself to be resolved. I currently am using it under a different Apple ID and on an External USB HD. I am not sure of going full throttle primary OS X. I noticed that Mavericks is no longer available in my Purchases for Download - NOT AT ALL under my second Apple ID in Yosemite. I very strongly advise all who are running under Mavericks OS X to Download it, keep it Apps Folder, Burn it, put it on USB drive and learn how to use createinstallmedia in the Terminal like, today! Mavericks is the newest of the older OS X's capable of running on todays Apple Macintosh. Yosemite can't succeed if Mavericks remains!  - still hanging in there with Mavericks. Keeping the dream alive - John Dupuis

Thanks John

I know I am slow but when I read this on Apple Support....

"OS X Yosemite: Set WINS options

Set Windows Internet Naming Options options

I can't help wondering whether NetBIOS  applies to me; is it because I have a windows running PC within the home network?

Cheers Paul

Hello Paul!

Like your WINS OPTIONS post. The NetBIOS would be how you would connect to your Windows Network. You and your wife, say, both have a user account on Windows PC. Your Windows PC having it's own NetBIOS name and  Network created and joined in Control Panel>Networking and Sharing it will assign a network password (can be changed later). The NetBIOS is how you would address your Network computer (being Windows) from your Mac. Macs are easy enough considering the fact that we have Airdrop and are able to establish networking with another Mac fairly simply. So, yes, the NetBIOS is one of the methods for a full in home Network whether you choose WorkGroup or HomeGroup. So, each computer has it's own NetBIOS Name and Mac has to have the WINS option configured to connect to a Windows PC on the Network. Since Windows 7, the HomeGroup was established to further distinguish a Home network from WorkGroup. WorkGroup is what is predominately joined at Businesses and Domain Servers. IP Addressing is used when the PC who's Network you're trying to join can not be resolved by the NetBIOS Name. For reason's you see now, I am doing well just dealing with NetBIOS. I will be setting my Windows side of my Mac up so my wife's MacBook Pro can join network and share in Windows. I'll see how that goes. Not needed, just an exercise to keep me from getting rusty behind the computer. You can only surf so long. Cheers!!   Also, dabbling with getting Linux OpenSuse 13.2 New Release to install and boot up. Yep, playing around.

"It's my Mac and I'll have fun if I want to!"

Oh! By the way. Just for the record on this Thread. My Yosemite 10.10.2 is running fine and I will not seed 10.10.3 until pushed as an update by Apple. Is your Yosemite running well, Paul?