Can't seem to network my Macs..

[SSpiro]

I don't know what the deal is, but I can not connect two of my Macs together.

I have a dying macbook I need to backup roughly 300gb off of. I'd like to use simple file sharing if I could get it to work, but nothing is working.

Both on same wireless network. Both on same gateway and subnet and same IP network. Both can ping each other and the gateway.

On my iMac, file sharing will not turn on. In sharing settings whenever I click the checkmark to turn it on, it won't check.

On my macbook, file sharing is on. In network list It does not show my iMac listed at all.

My iMac can see the Macbook in the network list but won't connect. I've setup the same user as an administrator on both machines.

My pc laptop can't connect to either. Asks for a login and my login won't work.

Extremely frustrating. Not sure what to do next. Any ideas what I may be missing?

 

[ssmed]

I would look at using Target Disk Mode for this job

Transfer files between two Mac computers using target disk mode

You can connect two Mac computers using a USB, USB-C or Thunderbolt cable, then transfer files.

support.apple.com

However if you want to get the networking going you might like to turn the firewall off on both machines (just for your internal network), or at a least check the firewall settings, check that file sharing is on as you say and also make sure that screen sharing is checked in system preferences/sharing so that you can check connectivity via another route.

Bottom line you may need to get a disk or high capacity USB stick and do this another way.

HTH

 

[NewbiePPC]

What macOS versions are you running in your machines?, If your MacBook is running Catalina or early try to enable AFP in file sharing using folders, not volumes since AFP is not compatible with APFS.

I think your problem is that your MacBook is on (10.6 - 10.9) which if I'm not wrong can't use SMBv3 (so Win can't connect until your allow using SMBv1), and your iMac is on newer macOs that have the same behavior but it will connect to AFP as far as I know.

 

[SSpiro]

I would look at using Target Disk Mode for this job

Transfer files between two Mac computers using target disk mode

You can connect two Mac computers using a USB, USB-C or Thunderbolt cable, then transfer files.

support.apple.com

However if you want to get the networking going you might like to turn the firewall off on both machines (just for your internal network), or at a least check the firewall settings, check that file sharing is on as you say and also make sure that screen sharing is checked in system preferences/sharing so that you can check connectivity via another route.

Bottom line you may need to get a disk or high capacity USB stick and do this another way.

HTH

Unfortunately, my other challenge is that my machine stopped seeing my battery. It's a 5 month old battery but now the MB doesn't see it, so I can not unplug the power supply to plug in an external drive or attempt target disk mode.

I'll try the firewall and make sure its open and try again.

 

[SSpiro]

What macOS versions are you running in your machines?, If your MacBook is running Catalina or early try to enable AFP in file sharing using folders, not volumes since AFP is not compatible with APFS.

I think your problem is that your MacBook is on (10.6 - 10.9) which if I'm not wrong can't use SMBv3 (so Win can't connect until your allow using SMBv1), and your iMac is on newer macOs that have the same behavior but it will connect to AFP as far as I know.

I'll confirm later today. I believe the MB is completely up to date, and the iMac is running El Capitan, but I'll confirm.

 

[SSpiro]

What macOS versions are you running in your machines?, If your MacBook is running Catalina or early try to enable AFP in file sharing using folders, not volumes since AFP is not compatible with APFS.

I think your problem is that your MacBook is on (10.6 - 10.9) which if I'm not wrong can't use SMBv3 (so Win can't connect until your allow using SMBv1), and your iMac is on newer macOs that have the same behavior but it will connect to AFP as far as I know.

MB is 11.6.2 and iMac is 10.15.7.

 

[ssmed]

https://www.apple.com/uk/shop/product/MUF82ZM/A/usb-c-digital-av-multiport-adapter would get you around the additional connection problem. Have you reset the PRAM and SMC to see if the battery will charge?

How to reset the NVRAM, PRAM, and SMC on any Mac

If you're experiencing weird glitches with your Mac, doing a reset of your MacBook or desktop Mac could help. Here's how to reset the NVRAM, PRAM, and SMC on either an Intel or M-Series Mac.

www.macworld.com

Good luck

 

[Flint Ironstag]

Would've been faster to just pop the hard drive and transfer manually by now... if you're in Houston, roll through.

Also make sure you're on an admin account on the iMac.

 

[SSpiro]

Would've been faster to just pop the hard drive and transfer manually by now... if you're in Houston, roll through.

Also make sure you're on an admin account on the iMac.

Thanks for the offer! It's a macbook, the SSD drive is on the logic board.