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patmcfar8 · May 7, 2003, 11:55 AM

I need some help people...

Here's my problem:

Everytime I reboot my G4 dual 1ghz, "Personal File Sharing" turns itself off. Also I can no longer turn on "Windows File Sharing".

It seems to have started about the same time I updated to 10.2.5 and the 10.2.6 update didn't help out either.

I've ran Disk Utility numerous times to no avail, but have yet to try Norton, since I can't boot from a CD.

Are there any preferences I can reset? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

patmcfar8 · May 7, 2003, 04:49 PM

Is there a better place to ask this question?

dettociao · May 7, 2003, 05:13 PM

Originally posted by patmcfar8:
Is there a better place to ask this question?

Nope. This is a Mac OS X specific question. (one which I don't have the answer to... but nonetheless)

Appleman · May 8, 2003, 03:07 AM

What happens if you lock the Preferences? (click the padlock).

I would stay away from Norton, it doesn't do the job good.

DiskWarrior 3.0 just came out yesterday, and if it has the same stunning problems-resolving qualities, it should be included in your top 3 wishlist!

SMacTech · May 8, 2003, 06:58 AM

Try deleting com.apple.sharing.firewall.plist file in the Library/Preferences folder. Not the library folder in your home directory. Also, repair permissions, it can't hurt either.

Appleman · May 8, 2003, 07:07 AM

Originally posted by SMacTech:
Also, repair permissions, it can't hurt either.

I've ran Disk Utility numerous times to no avail...

patmcfar8 · May 8, 2003, 10:54 AM

Thanks for the feedback! This just get's better and better... ;-)

OK, I deleted the com.apple.sharing.firewall.plist file and it had no effect, unfortunately. Then I tried making the changes (turning on personal file sharing) and locking the prefs. Then I restarted the computer and viola! Nothing.

Personal File Sharing is turned off again AND the prefs are magically unlocked! Freakin' strange.

I wish you guys could see this. When I try and click Windows File Sharing, it shows the check mark for about a second and then it unchecks itself. Maybe my G4 just doesn't want to share anymore... ;-)

I was always a Norton fan, but since making the switch to X a year ago, Norton has been utterly useless. I've been following the progress of DW 3 and if the initial response to it is good, it'll be my next purchase.

Any other ideas? I'm getting desperate here.

SMacTech · May 8, 2003, 11:08 AM

Did you try it as another user with Admin privs?

patmcfar8 · May 8, 2003, 11:29 AM

Ya know, I've been using this G4 for 8 months and never logged in as another user. I assume that I have admin privs, but how do I check?

SMacTech · May 8, 2003, 11:50 AM

Go to the users pref pane, click on yourself listed as the only user, you should see Admin. Also, clicl Edit user and the ' allow user to administer this computer' checked on. From the same place, create a new account, and give the same privileges. Log out and back in as new user and try your file sharing. If it still doesn't work, it isn't something user specific, which many times is the case.

Sarc · May 8, 2003, 03:32 PM

sounds very much like a permission problem ... you start file sharing but the preference is not saved bacause of lack of permission ... hence it doesn't start up
try using "Repair Permissions" in Disk Utility.

patmcfar8 · May 8, 2003, 05:24 PM

Thanks again all. I've verified and repaired permissions (disk utility) so many times at this point, that I can say without a doubt it hasn't helped me.

As soon as I can, I'll log in as another user and see if the problem remains.

thelorax · Jun 29, 2003, 06:32 PM

I'm afraid I don't have any good solutions for you at hte moment, but thought I'd chime in as I'm having the same problem on a 867 Dual G4.

I've previously of my own accord tried the following:
- repairing permissions
- logging in as the main admin account, upgrading the user account to admin status, creating new accounts, etc.
- locking preferences
- unlocking preferences
- zapping PRAM

...but to no avail.

I just read the note about deleting the plist file and will give that a shot and post back the results.

Is there anything we can do in terms of directly manipulating permissions on the pref file (if that is indeed the issue), or resetting or reinstalling the file sharing services?

patmcfar8 · Jun 29, 2003, 06:54 PM

FWIW, I still have the problem... I just gave up, and have gotten used to turning on my file sharing everytime I restart. Sad but true...

So what disk repair software is the reigning king?

thelorax · Jun 29, 2003, 10:53 PM

Well, same here... deleted the .plist (see above), but file sharing still shuts off on reboot (and got a kernel panic trying to reboot the first time after removal).

Oh no... don't give up!

Hmmm... anyone else have any other thoughts? I guess I can always do an archive and re-install, but it's a bit of a pain! I'm assuming that would HAVE to do the trick though...

{additional disclosure: I do also have the Sharepoints PrefsPane installed, but it's the same as the other 9 macs I have in our studio, and none of them have this problem...

}

Appleman · Jun 30, 2003, 01:20 AM

Originally posted by patmcfar8:
So what disk repair software is the reigning king?

DiskWarrior.

patmcfar8 · Jun 30, 2003, 10:52 AM

Does DW allow an OS X drive to reboot from disk? How's the latest version of Norton?

FWIW, I manage 5 other Macs in my dept. and none of them have this problem either. Strange...

thelorax · Jun 30, 2003, 11:07 AM

The new Norton is less than wonderful. I've not had such great luck with it, and it's has on occassion managed to do more harm than good.

You can boot off the new Diskwarrior... I just ordered it a few days ago and it's not here yet, but it sounds like it might even boot in X (as opposed to Norton, which while supporting X, boots in 9 from the CD). Obviously, I haven't used the new DW, but the old one has saved me many a time...

patmcfar8 · Jun 30, 2003, 11:20 AM

Sadly, I bought Norton, when I got my new dual 1ghz about 8 months ago. Of course the new G4 wouldn't boot from the disk. Now I hear they've finally corrected that problem, but the software has been updated and will cost me for the new release.

So I've given up on Norton and will probably switch to DW. Any info about it would be much appreciated. Hopefully when I get it, it will fix my File Sharing problem.

thelorax, BTW can you turn on Windows File Sharing?

thelorax · Jun 30, 2003, 11:33 AM

> can you turn on windows file sharing?

yep. All sharing services are available to me- personal, windows, web, et al. But anything that gets activated is no longer when I reboot.

> unforutately, I bought Norton...

Same here. Experience has been foul, and now lack of booting on the newer machines reached the proverbial straw. hence, an order for DW. Like I said, in the OS8/9 days, I used a combination of Norton and DW, but relied most heavily on DW.

> hopefully it will fix my problem
Interesting... I suppose directory repairs and such COULD effect permissions, etc. maybe? I have to say that I'm not holding my breath though...

I have found one other person on these forums that was having these problems, but the latest update to 10.2.6 fixed them for him...

thelorax · Jun 30, 2003, 11:35 AM

ps: also hoping to search around and make a post on Apple Discussions but they've been down for maintenance all weekend...

patmcfar8 · Jun 30, 2003, 12:47 PM

Cool. Keep me, um, posted.