Connect connect to local file server any longer

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Level 1

8 points

Connect connect to local file server any longer

I have a headless mac mini on my local network that I use as a file server. I have had no issue connecting to it from my macbook until yesterday. I had to factory reset my router/modem combo and since this change I have not been able to access the file server share points. I can still do screen sharing and itunes sharing but I am not able to access the server share points any longer. When I try the "connect as" option from the finder or "go to server" and putting in the servers local address or name. I get a "cannot connect to server" message.

The main change in my router configuration was the LAN set up. I was using 192.253.19.x previously and now I am using 192.168.0.x.

I have tried to remove all instances of keychain references to the server; flushed dns caches; turn file sharing off and then on; shutdown and restart the server; ethernet connect vs wifi; and finally: delete /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/com.apple.network.identification.plist (NON EXISTENT)

and /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/NetworkInterfaces.plist

I have also tried to access in safe mode, a guest account and another admin account and not able to access share points there either.

I am at a loss - is this a port issue? Why do screen sharing and itunes sharing work but not file sharing? Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

MacBook Pro, OS X Yosemite (10.10.5)

Posted on Nov 14, 2015 8:11 AM

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Answer 1

greg sahli

Level 7

25,508 points

Nov 14, 2015 8:18 AM in response to filmplane

You didn't say if you've tried Go > Connect to Server, and entered the correct IP address like this - smb://192.168.0.x or, afp://192.168.0.x ?

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Answer 2

filmplane Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 14, 2015 8:44 AM in response to greg sahli

Sorry, I thought I mentioned that above but yes I have also tried Go > Connect to Server afp://192.168.0.x

I also get the "there was a problem connecting to the server" message. It is the same as trying afp://servername.local

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Answer 3

greg sahli

Level 7

25,508 points

Nov 14, 2015 1:20 PM in response to filmplane

Try a more basic network test. Open the Terminal Utility and type ping 192.168.0.x (obviously put in the correct last part).

You will either get a repeating success message (end that with Control-c), or some error.

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Answer 4

filmplane Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 14, 2015 9:20 PM in response to greg sahli

With the ping to the server:

Request timeout for icmp_seq 0...

Request timeout for icmp_seq continues until I stop the ping.

I have an option in my router settings to 'Respond to Ping on Internet Port' - that is currently disabled.

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Answer 5

greg sahli

Level 7

25,508 points

Nov 15, 2015 5:07 AM in response to filmplane

That setting is for the router to respond, when it is pinged.

I think there is something wrong in your mini's settings. please paste/list the Network settings. And the IP address of the laptop.

(this is OK to do because the IP addresses are local-only, not outside accessible.)

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Answer 6

filmplane Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 15, 2015 7:05 AM in response to greg sahli

Here are the network settings for mini (below). The laptop ip is 192.168.0.17. I also tried accessing the mini server from a different macbook on the same network and it also is not able to connect any longer. The mini is running 10.8.5 and macbooks are running 10.10.5.

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Answer 7

Eric Root

Level 10

684,657 points

Nov 15, 2015 9:50 AM in response to filmplane

Have you tried clicking Renew DHCP Lease?

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Answer 8

filmplane Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 15, 2015 10:19 AM in response to Eric Root

multiple times have tried renewing DHCP lease

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Answer 9

filmplane Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 15, 2015 10:37 AM in response to filmplane

What about log files? would they be of any help in trying to troubleshoot the problem?

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Answer 10

greg sahli

Level 7

25,508 points

Nov 15, 2015 8:38 PM in response to filmplane

Speaking just for me - log files won't help.

One more thing to try - reset the router by unplugging power, waiting 30 secs, then power on.

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Answer 11

filmplane Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 16, 2015 8:31 AM in response to greg sahli

SOLVED. None of the solutions suggested here worked but thank you for the effort!

HOWEVER, here is what solved the connection problem which I found here: AFP disconnects users, file opening problems, abnormal exits and bus errors

After shutting down the AFP service, disable the automounts in 'Filesharing' in Server Admin, then remove the sharepoints. Then in Terminal.app do:sudo rm /private/var/etc/AFP.conf

Then: sudo rm /Library/Preferences/com.apple.AppleFileServer.plist

Then in Server Admin, restore the sharepoints back and automounts. Then restart the AFP service.

These instructions seem to be intended for Mac OS X server but worked for me in resolving this issue. In this case, 'shutting down the AFP service' means, on the mac mini file server, turning off file sharing under System Preferences>Sharing>uncheck File Sharing. I also removed any 'Share points' which in this case would be Shared Folders under the File Sharing section in the Sharing Preferences.

From the command line I executed the above commands and then connected to the mini with the connect to server command in the finders Go menu.

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Answer 12

filmplane Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 17, 2015 11:51 AM in response to filmplane

UPDATE: After a restart of the laptop I was using to access the mac mini file server, it stopped working again! I have given up on AFP. I have decided to access my local network shares utilizing SMB sharing using an application called SMBup. I was able to connect to the network shares FLAWLESSLY with no issues. The application is donation ware and I highly recommend supporting the developer if you use: http://eduo.info/apps/smbup

Not only has this solution worked for my file server, but it also has allowed me to connect to a Windows XP laptop required for running a legacy printer in my studio. There is also a great tutorial here on SMBup: http://www.tweaking4all.com/os-tips-and-tricks/macosx-tips-and-tricks/smbup-mac- os-x-smb-fix/

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