Important Note: This is a part of the original Emergency Handbook. It has been renamed the Troubleshooting Handbook and substantially revised. Click Here to go to the current Troubleshooting Handbook.

Problems With Networks and File Sharing is part of Chapter 2: Problems Using Your Computer, part of the iMac Emergency Handbook, pp: 39-40

If you are having problems using the network or file sharing, try the following before attempting further solutions:

• Make sure the network is working by opening the Chooser and checking for the shared disks and printers you usually use. See if other computers on your network have access to network devices.
• Open the AppleTalk and TCP/IP control panels and make sure the settings are correct. See the topic on file sharing in Mac OS Help (choose Help from the Finder's Help menu).
• Make sure that all the network software is installed. The Network and AppleShare extensions should be in the Extensions folder. If you want to use file sharing, the File Sharing control panel should be in the Control Panels folder, and the File Sharing extension should be in the Extensions folder. If any of these items is missing, reinstall the system software. See Chapter 5, "Reinstalling Your Computer's Software," on page 53.
• There may be a physical problem with a cable, connector, hub, or wall jack. Make sure network cables are connected properly. Try substituting equipment that you know is reliable. ( You can even try a different computer if one is available.)

Computer you want doesn't appear in the Chooser.

• Make sure the computer you're trying to connect to is turned on.
• Make sure file sharing is active on the computer you're trying to connect to. (That computer's File Sharing control panel should say that file sharing is on.)

Shared disk you want to use is not available.

• You may already be connected to the shared disk. Check for its icon on your desktop.
• You may not have the access privileges you need to use the shared disk. Ask the network administrator or the owner of the shared item to give you access. See the information on file sharing in Mac OS Help (choose Help from the Finder's Help menu).

Can't see any files on remote computer.

• Make sure that files are being shared on the other computer. The File Sharing Monitor control panel on that computer lists the items being shared.
• Make sure you have the access privileges you need to view the files. Ask the network administrator or the owner of the shared item to give you access. See the information on file sharing in Mac OS Help (choose Help from the Finder's Help menu).

File sharing can't be turned on.

• Make sure AppleTalk is turned on in the Chooser.
• Make sure you have at least 400K of space available on your hard disk.
• Some disk-formatting programs don't work with file sharing. If you use such a program, contact the manufacturer or vendor for compatibility information.
• There may be a problem with some of the information your computer uses to start up file sharing. Follow these steps in order until the problem is solved:

1. Open the File Sharing control panel and enter new information in the Network Identity section. Then try again to turn on file sharing.

2. Remove the File Sharing folder from the Preferences folder (inside the System Folder). Then restart the computer and try to turn on file sharing.

3. Reset the PRAM. See "Reset the PRAM." on page 19.

4. Remove the Users & Groups Data File from the Preferences folder (inside the System Folder). Restart the computer.

5. Reinstall system software. See Chapter 5, "Reinstalling Your Computer's Software," on page 53.

Item can't be shared.

• Make sure you have at least 1 MB of space available on your hard disk.
• Some removable storage devices can't be shared. Check with the manufacturer or vendor of the device for more information.
• Some disk-formatting programs don't work with file sharing. If you use such a program, check with the program's manufacturer or vendor.

Can't open a shared disk or folder.

• You may not have the access privileges needed to use the disk or folder. Ask the network administrator or the owner of the shared item to give you access.
• Check with the owner of the item to make sure you are entering your name exactly as the owner specified (including spaces and capitalization) and try again.

You can't remember your Administration password.

• Erase your Administration password (along with all of your AppleTalk settings and configurations) by dragging the AppleTalk or TCP/IP Preferences file (inside the Preferences folder in your active System Folder) to the Trash. When you open the AppleTalk or TCP/IP control panel again, you must reenter all your settings.

Your computer can't connect to devices outside its local network.

• Check that your router address is correct in the TCP/IP control panel.

Your computer can connect to hosts by IP address, but not by name.

• Check the settings in the TCP/IP control panel:
• Check that you have entered valid domain names in the Additional Search Domains box.
• If you have entered your local and administrative domain names, double-check to make sure they're correct.
• Check that the domain name server (DNS) you have selected is actually a DNS server and is operating properly.
• Check with your Internet service provider (ISP) or network administrator if you have questions about configuring the TCP/IP control panel.

• Check that you have an application open on your computer that uses TCP/IP and can respond to a ping from another computer, and that the correct port is being pinged.
• Check that your TCP/IP configuration is correct.
• Check that the Use 802.3 checkbox isn't selected in the TCP/IP control panel.

To view the other sections of Chapter 2: Problems Using Your Computer, click on any of the links below:

• article 43039: Problems with Applications, Documents and Memory
• article 43040: Problems with Hard Disks, CDs, and Other Storage Media
• article 43041: Problems with USB Devices
• article 43042: Problems Printing
• article 43043: Performance and Other Problems
• article 43045: Problems with Sound and Video