SMB Connection Failed on My Mac
Connecting to a Windows 7 computer using SMB to share files from a Mac OS X computer can be a bit problematic if you are unfamiliar with how both systems work. Fortunately Microsoft and Apple have made connections easier compared with earlier operating systems. Once you have verified that the Mac can see the Windows computer, make sure both systems' firewalls have been configured to allow sharing.
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Checking Connection
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If a Mac computer has failed to connect with a Windows computer using SMB, verify that the Mac has an active connection. After clicking the "Connect to Server" option under the Finder's Go menu, click the "Browse" button. The Windows computer and any other shared computers on the network should be visible in the menu. If other computers should be visible, but are not, launch Safari to verify that the Mac is connected to the network. Once you have verified that the Mac is connected to the network, try typing the Windows computer IP address in the Connect to Server window. Alternatively, type the Windows computer DNS name using the format "smb://ServerName/ShareName," or "smb://DOMAIN;User@ServerName/ShareName." Remember to replace any spaces with "%20" when typing the DNS name.
Using Ping
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You can rule out a connectivity problem between the computers by sending a ping from the Mac to the Windows computer. To do this, you will need the IP address of the Windows computer, which can be found in the Control Panel's Network and Sharing Center. Select the network connection, then click "View Status of This Connection" in the Toolbar. After clicking "Details," the IP address will appear, such as "192.168.0.2" for example. Launch Terminal on the Mac, which is in the Applications Utilities folder. Type "ping" followed by a space, then the IP address, then press "Enter." A connection is verified if the ping is returned with a time for completion measured in milliseconds.
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Mac Firewall
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If you are using the Mac Firewall, SMB needs to be enabled before you can make a successful connection. You can open the Mac Firewall by clicking the "Security" icon in System Preferences, which is a house-shaped icon in the Personal section. You will have to click the "Lock" icon and enter your administrative password before making any changes. After clicking the "Firewall" tab, click "Advanced." Ensure that "Stealth Mode" and "Block All Incoming Connections" are not selected.
Windows 7 Firewall
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The Windows 7 Firewall includes an option for automatically accessing shared files from Mac OS X computers. This is located in the Network and Sharing Center section of the Control Panel. You will need to log in with your administrator username and password. Make sure that the Network Discovery and Password Protection options are both turned on. Depending on what you are sharing from the Windows computer, you should also enable File and Printer Sharing as well as Public Folder Sharing in this window.
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