Apple Mac no longer accesses Windows XP shared Folder on Network

Hi Mitch,

Thank you for replying.

Have already tried what you suggested. As I said in my earlier post, I can't delete the alias because I have insufficient privileges (even though I am logged in as an administrator).

It's only this particular alias that doesn't work. All the other network aliases are fine.

Which directory are these aliases stored in? Maybe I can delete it from there.

Cheers!

Karl

The Alias "XXXXXX" could not be opened, because the
original item cannot be found"

How about you try to try a NEW connection ?

Read the error, the alias doesn't work.

Delete it and make a new connection using Connect to
Server.

Hi

Thanks for your reply:

When I used Terminal, this is what happened (I'd logged in as a root user):

Karl-Texlers-Computer:~ root#
Karl-Texlers-Computer:~ root# cd /automount
Karl-Texlers-Computer:/automount root# ls
Servers static
Karl-Texlers-Computer:/automount root# sudo rm Servers
rm: Servers: is a directory
Karl-Texlers-Computer:/automount root# sudo rm servers
rm: servers: is a directory
Karl-Texlers-Computer:/automount root# sudo rm static
rm: static: is a directory
Karl-Texlers-Computer:/automount root# cd/Network
-sh: cd/Network: No such file or directory


So I still can't delete the servers.

What should I do now, please?

Cheers!

Karl

I think they are at the Root of the HD, in the
hidden Files/Folders/Aliases called...

automount/Servers
automount/static
Network

In Terminal type or paste...

cd /automount

Type ls into terminal to be sure we are there, should
show like...

bdaqua:/automount bdaqua$ ls
Servers static

Now type...

sudo rm Servers

After entering and completing, type...

sudo rm static

Then type... cd /Network

An ls command should show like ...

bdaqua:/Network bdaqua$ ls
Servers

Type...

sudo rm Servers

Reboot and see if we fixed it.

CAUTION: sudo gives you Super Powers, and rm will
remove whatever is typed after it... so you can, if
not precise/careful, remove anything/everything!

Hi BDAqua,

Some more information:

Using one of the other Macs, I can get the shared PC folder, no problems. However on the Mac in question (while running Console):

2007-01-25 14:02:28.134 SystemUIServer[270] lang is:en
mount_smbfs: can't get server address `TEXLER-PC':
Unknown host
mount_smbfs: can't get server address: syserr = Network is down
### MRJPlugin: getPluginBundle() here. ###
### MRJPlugin: CFBundleGetBundleWithIdentifier() succeeded. ###
### MRJPlugin: CFURLGetFSRef() succeeded. ###
mount_smbfs: can't get server address `TEXLER-PC':
Unknown host
mount_smbfs: can't get server address: syserr = Network is down
mount_smbfs: can't get server address `TEXLER-PC':
Unknown host
mount_smbfs: can't get server address: syserr = Network is down

Yet this Mac is able to network with the other Mac. Also, the network can't be down - the various activity that does happen with the other computers refutes that.

I'm not sure where to go from here.

Cheers!

Karl

Hi BDAqua,


Tried running applejack (in auto and AUTO mode in single user mode), then tried the sudo rm -r automount command while still in that mode (it wouldn't work in Terminal, said all the resources were busy).

When I rebooted, the same problem was there, the PC networking alias couldn't find its target (but all other aliases were working, as before).

It seems to me that the resource has automounted itself in a defective manner again. Something in this Mac is telling it to set itself up this way. It's got me stumped.

You are taking me into new territory, here, I'm afraid I'm going to need guidance to take it further!

I'm even considering an Archive and Install here but:

1. This is the only thing wrong with the system at the moment.

2. I don't know whether the defective setting won't simply be transferred to the new system.

One thing, could a .man file (located in HD/Libary/Open Network) be causing this? This is the only thing that has been added at about this time (by an ADSL installation package CD, which also played with my network as I watched, but didn't tell me how).

Thanks for your assistance thus far. I await further suggestions 🙂

Cheers!

Karl

Hi Mitch (and BDAqua),

Despite what a lot of people think, the fires didn't really get that close to Bright. We got quite a lot of smoke (not good for the asthmatics), and the odd cold ember, but that was as bad as it got. It seems to have sorted itself out for now.

Of greater impact was the media beatup that ruined our tourist traffic - a lot of local businesses are feeling the pinch.

Thanks for asking, though.

Anyway, back to the topic!

Tried using Go Connect to server, it works on the other Macs, but not this one.

cifs://servername doesn't work either.

I'm starting to think that the automount process is corrupted, or one of the subroutines that sets up the target for the PC alias.

I've tried running the latest Combo update, but that's not making any difference.

I tried setting up a new account, no joy there either.

Applejack has been run in single user AUTO (deep clean) mode a couple of times.

I'm starting to think that the install CD (Westnet) for my new ADSL modem may have caused this problem. I'm going to try Archive and Install and see what happens.

Wish me luck!

Karl

Hi Mitch and BDAqua

Went through Archive and Install - that went smoothly.

However, we still have the same problem.

I also have another OS 10.4 installed on another volume. When I boot up in that, the problem disappears.

What that tells me is that it's probably a preferences/settings issue confined to my main volume. I guess what we need to do is to hunt down where this defective setting might be, then try to fix it.

Pointers?

Cheers!

Karl

Hi BDAqua,

Went and pulled all the suggested files/folders to the desktop. Rebooted.

Then went and put the /Users/Karl Texler/Library/Preference folder back where it was before.

Bingo - everything worked fine!

Put the /Library/Preferences/com.apple.sharing firewall.plist file back where it was before, rebooted, everything still worked.

In Network, the workgroup folders automount, and clicking on them gets you to the aliases proper (all of which now work properly).

Didn't put the Library/Preferences/System Config folder back, because I reckon that's where the problem is (by process of elimination). This folder contains the following files:

preferences.plist.system_default
preferences.plist
NetworkInterfaces.plist
com.apple.PowerManagement.plist
com.apple.nat.plist
com.apple.AutoWake.plist

Of all of these, the com.apple.nat.plist file has a last modification date of 15/01/2007, about the time the problems started, and the date when I ran the installation software for my new ADSL modem. So I think this preference file got screwed up by that CD.

Bottom line, the quick fix for this problem is to delete the SystemConfiguration folder in /Library/Preferences, then reboot the computer.

Thanks to you (and Mitch) for getting me on the path to sorting this out.

Cheers!

Karl