mac networking with pcs

Discussion in 'Mac Basics and Help' started by fallacy, Sep 29, 2008.

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  1. fallacy, Sep 29, 2008

    fallacy macrumors member

    Joined:
    Aug 30, 2006
    #1
    Hello,

    I have in the past been able to see my network of pcs through the network icon found in the finder, however I've noticed that it's always a hit and miss sort of thing. Sometimes, I can see the network name with no issues, other times I have to navigate to and from the network before anything appears.

    Any ideas? I would think that if I'm checking the network I should be able to see it without any issues. Now all i'm seeing is "applications, library, and users".

    thx.
     
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  2. MurphyM, Sep 30, 2008

    MurphyM macrumors 6502

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    Dec 29, 2007
    #2
    Are the pc computers in a workgroup named workgroup? I'm assuming you don't have a Windows domain controller set up?

    You can change the name of the workgroup that your Mac is in - especially if the pc computers are in a workgroup other than one named "workgroup" - which could help things. (you probably want all the computers in the same workgroup based on what you describe)

    There's something called the "Computer Browser Service" on Windows computers that's somewhat complex. It's what makes the list of available servers visible to interfaces like Finder. It can be finicky at times and cause inconsistent behavior like what you're seeing.
     
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  3. kevhui, Oct 1, 2008

    kevhui macrumors regular

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    #3
    how to check / assign my Mac to workgroup?
     
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  4. kevhui, Oct 1, 2008

    kevhui macrumors regular

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    Apr 24, 2008
    #4
    I used System Preferences -> Network -> WINS and specified the name WORKGROUP, but still doesn't work :-(
     
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  5. velocityg4, Oct 1, 2008

    velocityg4 macrumors 601

    velocityg4

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    Georgia
    #5
    If they are XP machines there is a good chance that they are defaulted as MSHOME rather than WORKGROUP. Its strange that this default bounced back and forth. I guess MS wanted to make setting up networks a more confusing task for people.

    You can also check the PC's in Control Panel > System > Computer Name and look at the workgroup name.
     
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  6. kevhui, Oct 1, 2008

    kevhui macrumors regular

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    Apr 24, 2008
    #6
    I checked the name is WORKGROUP.

    I even changed to MSHOME (on both machines) but still no luck:mad:
     
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  7. fallacy, Oct 1, 2008

    fallacy thread starter macrumors member

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    Aug 30, 2006
    #7
    ok, I think it works now, but the way i got it to come up is strange. I had to authenticate to my mac over my network through my xp machine first before I was able to see the network through Finder.

    That's retarded. There's gotta be a better way to do it.
     
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