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Macbook can no longer "connect to server"

I have an iMac connected to the new Airport Extreme using ethernet (and wireless).

I have a macbook connecting to the new Airport Extreme using wireless.

The macbook cannot connect to the imac using 'connect to server' WHY? And the imac's itunes library no longer shows up on the macbooks itunes as a shared library? Why?

All of this used to work before my upgrade to the new Airport Extreme. Can anybody help....

iMac CD 20", 2GB | MacBook Pro 15" | Powerbook 17" | iPod Video (Black), Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Posted on Mar 8, 2007 1:14 PM

Reply
10 replies

Mar 9, 2007 10:00 AM in response to Nick Syrett

OK.... the is really baffling me...

Here's my setup:

Airport Extreme - constant PPPoe connection to ISP - running 80211n only

iMac conneting to Airport Extreme via ethernet

Macbook connecting to Airport Extreme via 80211n

Airport Express connected to Extreme via ethernet

Macbook Pro and Powerbook and 2nd Express (relay) connecting to Express via 80211g

iMac also connects to Airport Express via 80211g (in addition to direct ethernet connection)

So.... here's the problems....

Macbook and iMac cannot speak to each other. Macbook can see iMac's itunes but gets an error when tyring to connect (unspecified error - make sure port 3689 is open)

Cannot do a 'connect to server' either way between macbook and iMac.

iMac can see and connect to both Powerbook and Macbook Pro. It can also see itunes library on both of thses and vice versa.

HELP!!!

Mar 9, 2007 2:06 PM in response to Nick Syrett

There were two parts to the suggestion.

If the iMac is connected via the Airport Express - and the express is acting as a base station - it will not be able to see the the Macbook.

1) Make sure the Airport Extreme is acting as DHCP server.
2) Make sure the Airport Express is in bridging mode
3) Make sure all client computers are using DHCP to get IPs
4) Use Directory Access on all clients and turn on Bonjour
5) Ensure the iMac is connected to one thing or another. Ideally by ethernet to the AEBS(n)

Mar 9, 2007 9:34 PM in response to Glyn Williams1

Thanks for your help.... this is really bewildering me.... i cannot figure it out....

"If the iMac is connected via the Airport Express - and the express is acting as a base station - it will not be able to see the the Macbook."

The 1st Airpost Express is plugged into the Extreme. It is running an 80211g WDS. It is a remote and connects to another Express which is a relay that extends my network and provides internet for my xbox in the living room wia its ethernet port.


1) Make sure the Airport Extreme is acting as DHCP server. YES!
2) Make sure the Airport Express is in bridging mode YES!
3) Make sure all client computers are using DHCP to get IPs YES!
4) Use Directory Access on all clients and turn on Bonjour YES!
5) Ensure the iMac is connected to one thing or another. Ideally by ethernet to the AEBS(n) OK - have turned off computers Airport - same results....

Mar 11, 2007 10:57 AM in response to Nick Syrett

I finally figured out what the problem is. And you won't believe it but it is true. A couple weeks ago I had tried connecting a hard drive to the Extreme via the USB port (Airdisk). But I decided against it and disconnected the drive. However, I had left the USB cable connected to Extreme and only unplugged it from the drive end.

As soon as I disconnected the unused USB cable from the Extreme everything suddenly worked like a dream. I have absolutley no idea WHY.... but that is what just fixed my whole network. Strange but true! But everything is working great now so I am HAPPY!

Macbook can no longer "connect to server"

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