Why can't my Macs connect in Finder?

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Level 1

21 points

Why can't my Macs connect in Finder?

I have an old 15-inch MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo/2.66GHz purchased back in 2008 that I keep at home hooked up to a big monitor, using as a "desktop". It has a large hard drive so I like to store files on it. I have a MBP that was purchased very recently brand new. My wife has a MBP too. The problem is that file sharing is enabled on all three and we see all three listed in Shared in the Finder sidebars. However, when we click on them in Finder it says "Not Connected". The "desktop" is connected to the Time Capsule via ethernet and the other two are connected to the capsule wirelessly, placing all of them on the same network. The "desktop" is running Yosemite and the MBP's are running El Capitan. What are we doing wrong?

MacBook Pro (15-inch Late 2008), OS X Yosemite (10.10.5)

Posted on Jan 18, 2016 6:40 PM

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Answer 1

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,739 points

Jan 18, 2016 6:47 PM in response to musicandmacs

If the firewall is on, please turn it off.

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Answer 2

musicandmacs Author

Level 1

21 points

Jan 18, 2016 7:19 PM in response to Linc Davis

Yes, firewall was turned on for all. I turned them all off and rebooted all. However, when I click on one computer while in the finder of another it still says "Connecting" then it says "Not Connected". When I right click and choose Get Info it continually fetches but never connects.

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Answer 3

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,739 points

Jan 18, 2016 7:33 PM in response to musicandmacs

None of the three Macs can connect to file sharing on either of the others?

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Answer 4

musicandmacs Author

Level 1

21 points

Jan 18, 2016 7:34 PM in response to Linc Davis

Yes, that is correct. None connects.

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Answer 5

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,739 points

Jan 18, 2016 7:52 PM in response to musicandmacs

Have you installed any third-party "security" or "anti-virus" software? If so, please remove it according to the developer's instructions, after backing up all data. All such software is worse than useless.

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Answer 6

musicandmacs Author

Level 1

21 points

Jan 19, 2016 2:19 AM in response to Linc Davis

No, I have not installed any third party security apps. I am using the Time Capsule as an access point only with no internet access. Could this be the problem? Each computer can access internet via a personal hotspot. However, when we attempt to file share we ensure the computers are all connected to the Time Capsule. The old MBP stays connected via ethernet and the 2 newer ones are connected wirelessly.

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Answer 7

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,739 points

Jan 19, 2016 7:56 AM in response to musicandmacs

Do any other sharing services work, such as Screen Sharing?

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Answer 8

musicandmacs Author

Level 1

21 points

Jan 19, 2016 8:40 AM in response to Linc Davis

OK after my last post I shutdown all computers and went to sleep. i just turned them all on this morning and file sharing is working. I wished I knew how I got it working. However I'm glad it works.

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