Can't see Windows shares

[PatrickGaerlan]

I have this weird problem with Panther seeing Windows shares. I have two PCs connected to my home network (Windows 98 and XP). Before, when I'd go to the Network folder in Finder, I'd see the shared volumes of the Windows PCs automatically. Now, the only item there is Servers. The Windows shares don't show up. The funny thing is that I created aliases of the shared volumes in my Favorties folder before and I can still connect to them using those aliases, no problem at all. Anyone knows why the shared volumes don't show up in my Network folder anymore?

[zChris]

Could it be perhaps the folders were hidden? If you put a dollar sign "$" at the end of the share name, the folder is shared but you wont be able to see it if you try to browse for the folder. However, connecting using the "Connect to Server" command and placing the $ at the end of the sharename will allow you to connect.

[PatrickGaerlan]

Nope, no $ sign in the share name

[gonz]

Originally posted by PatrickGaerlan
I have this weird problem with Panther seeing Windows shares.

Are you running OS X 10.3.4? Earlier versions of Panther had problems seeing certain network shares. Sometimes my iMac and iBook wouldn't see my two Windows machines on the network when I had just started the Macs; had to wait a while before they saw them. It was like they needed to get "warmed up" first.

But the problem is less noticeable with after updating to 10.3.4. Hope this helps!

[Kenneth]

Sometimes, when browsing my PC, instead of say E drive with the hardrive icon, I'd see an E folder. And looking in the folder reveals nothing inside.

I use connect to server, though is there a way for me to skip entering my login name and password each time I connect to my PC volume?

[PatrickGaerlan]

Originally posted by gonz
Are you running OS X 10.3.4? Earlier versions of Panther had problems seeing certain network shares. Sometimes my iMac and iBook wouldn't see my two Windows machines on the network when I had just started the Macs; had to wait a while before they saw them. It was like they needed to get "warmed up" first.

But the problem is less noticeable with after updating to 10.3.4. Hope this helps!

Yah, I'm already running 10.3.4. I'm thinking the problem could be with my Windows PCs, because I can't even make them see each other now I'll be bringing my PowerBook to my girlfriend's place tomorrow and will try connecting to her home network and see if I can see the Windows shares over there.

[PatrickGaerlan]

Originally posted by Yagballs
Sometimes, when browsing my PC, instead of say E drive with the hardrive icon, I'd see an E folder. And looking in the folder reveals nothing inside.

I use connect to server, though is there a way for me to skip entering my login name and password each time I connect to my PC volume?

Login to the volume as usual, in the Authenticaion window, make sure that "Add to Keychain" is checked. Now, just drag the network volume icon to your Favorites folder to make an alias. Next time, all you have to do is double-click on the alias and you'll be connected.

[PatrickGaerlan]

Yahoo! Was able to resolve the problem. I used Directory Access to configure SMB and changed the Workgroup name to something else. I then changed the Workgroup names of the Windows PCs to match the new one, everything works as it should again. I can now browse the Windows shares in Finder. I was even able to add the shared printer of my Win98 PC to my Mac. Now, can someone explain why changing the Workgroup name solved the problem?