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Morgy · Apr 22, 2006, 12:20 PM

Sorry if this kind of question has been asked before (most likely), but I can't seem to connect my two macs. My basic set up is as follows;

I have a 1.25ghz Mac Mini & a 1.42ghz eMac. Both are connected to a Broadband Router with ethernet cables. They both have a perfect connection to the internet, so no probs there. What I can't seem to get them to do is allow me to connect the two so I can send files back and forth between the two of them. I have to admit that my understanding of networking isn't great, but I understand computers very well otherwise, so I don't think I'm being thick! I've tried to follow instructions within help but it doesn't get me very far. If somewhere could please help out with a straightforward solution I'd be ever so greatful.

Peace

Simon (Mr.Gone)

ghporter · Apr 22, 2006, 02:58 PM

Welcome to the MacNN Forums!

System Preferences is your friend. And Mac Help (right on your Mac!) will tell you where to look for the correct "file sharing" controls. You will, of course have to do this (the settings, anyway) on both computers.

Or, you could search this very forum (see the search control at the top?) and find details there. Searching here before you post is a Good Thing™, because it keeps people from thinking you're not really trying.

Morgy · Apr 22, 2006, 03:43 PM

Thanks for the suggestions. I've tried (real hard) to understand the file sharing thing in preferences, and like I said I do know computers (PC & Mac) pretty weel in most instances, but my weak spot is networking without a doubt. I've found the help section in Mac Help to be of no real help at all i'm afraid. I've done a brief search of this forum too and no one is giving out any real answers, sorry.

Originally Posted by ghporter

Welcome to the MacNN Forums!

System Preferences is your friend. And Mac Help (right on your Mac!) will tell you where to look for the correct "file sharing" controls. You will, of course have to do this (the settings, anyway) on both computers.

Or, you could search this very forum (see the search control at the top?) and find details there. Searching here before you post is a Good Thing™, because it keeps people from thinking you're not really trying.

ghporter · Apr 22, 2006, 06:01 PM

In System Preferences, select "Sharing" under "Internet and Network." Now, with the Services button selected, check Personal File Sharing and whichever other services you'll need (like printer sharing).

That's it. Really. You should see the shared pesonal files on the other computer right after you've made the change on both machines.

David2213 · Apr 23, 2006, 02:34 AM

Ive had this same problem as well. Ive followed your steps but where am I supposed t o see the shared files from the other computer??? Do they show up on your desktop like a drive??? or somewhere else. Thanks for the help.

Morgy · Apr 23, 2006, 03:31 AM

GHporter, there has to be someting else that needs doing as even though I can see the other mac (in two separate locations within Network) I can't access them. It keeps asking for a password which I know is correct, but it rejects it each time.

zwiebel_ · 09:14 AM

Run-down:

Apple Menu > Preferences...
Click on Sharing
Click on Services
Check Personal File Sharing (two lines of text will appear below the window telling you the link to use to connect to the machine you are sharing, i.e
Other Macintosh users can access your computer at afp://192.xxx.xxx.xxx/ or browse for "[Your Machine Name]" by choosing Network from the Go menu in the Finder - NOTE the afp:// and the reference to a non-existent Network menu item)
Click on Firewall (if ON, click on Personal FIle Sharing)
Click on the desktop (or go to finder)
In the Finder Menu choose Go > Connect to Server...
Follow connection procedure
Alternatively, look in the left sidebar of any open window. There is a Network globe icon, which when clicked lists all available computers that are accessible via file sharing - AFP.

Note that the remote file sharing computer will display as a hard-drive icon on your desktop.

Hope that helps

Morgy · Apr 23, 2006, 02:47 PM

I guess there must be something wrong with both my Macs then (unlikely tho'), cos this simply doesn't work, even though I can connect both ways to both macs from/to my Dell PC. I Give in...

ghporter · Apr 24, 2006, 07:37 AM

You need to provide a username/password for a user on the other Mac when you try to log in the first time. Say your primary user account on Machine A is "Bob's Mac," and the primary account on Machine B is "Charlie's Mac." When you use Machine B to remotely access Machine A, you give it user "Bob's Mac," and the appropriate password. From Machine A to Machine B when you try to connect, you'll provide Machine B's user, "Charlie's Mac."

It does sound more complex than it is, and I'm sorry I had not thought to mention which user you needed to claim to be after you enabled sharing.

Morgy · Apr 25, 2006, 09:31 AM

Hi GHporter
literally a couple of hours before I checked the posts to this query I figured it in the way that you describe - and it works! So simple but not so obvious (at least I think so...). Anyway, thanks for putting the extra effort to find the solution, which is the very one, so thanks very much. I'm so happy I don't have to use my Dell PC as a go-between for file swapping now...