"Connection failed" message after entering Desktop and Screensavers pref

Whenever I open System Preferences and click the Desktop and Screensavers preference pane, a message window pops up saying, "Connection failed. There was an error connecting to the server "iMacWife". Check the server name or IP address, and then try again."
I think my iMac is trying to connect to my wife's iMac, which used to contain all of the family photos. These photos now reside on my iMac. But I can't get rid of this message. I tried tossing the Desktop and Screensavers preferences, but it didn't work. I tried making a backup of the prefs folder and then deleting all the prefs inside the folder, and that actually worked. No error message. But when I copied back the prefs, making sure to NOT replace any of the newly created prefs (for finder, D&S, By Host), the connection failed message reappeared. So there's some other pref related to the Desktop and Screensavers pref pane that is looking for something on the wife's iMac and not finding it.
And ideas what this may be?
Thanks!

I see this has not been answered yet. I have the same issue after getting rid of an old server--nothing should be connecting to it anymore, but I'm getting the same message when entering system preferences..Desktop and Screensavers. The only way to get rid of this message (until the next time) is to force quit system preferences.
Does ANYone have any idea how to fix this?
Thanks

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Very annoying connection failed message

Hello.
This question was actually asked by another member and it was never answered. I keep receiving a connection failed message after startup. This message is the one where it states; "Connection failed. Server may not exist or is not operational at this time. Check server name or IP address & try again." Just like the previous member who asked, I too am not trying to connect to anything so why do I keep getting this message? I read somewhere on here about deleting aliases but that was a suggestion for OS9 users.
Could someone please share with me on how to get rid of message? I tried the suggestion that was offered prior about going to GO in the finder and selecting connect to server but when I do this, there is nothing there to connect to nor delete so this suggestion does not work.
All of this started when I connected my two Intel Macbook Pros via ethernet a few days ago. I have decided not to network the two machines so I have disconnected them. The main machine which was machine 1 is the one giving me the annoying connection failed message while machine 2 does not. Does it have something to do with the server alias? If I am the only user of these computers, why are my server privileges insufficient? Why can't I just delete the server alias? Why is removing this annoying connection failed message so difficult?
Please help. Thank you
Macbook Pro Mac OS X (10.4.8)
Macbook Pro Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Not sure on this, but perhaps the user of the other book left the Alias there?
You can easily change Permissions on that Alias to get rid of it, perhaps by doing a Get info, or surer yet using batchmod...
http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/6440

Cannnot connect iphone 5s after uninstalling itunes and reinstalling, gives me error message

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Hey spenjor,
Thanks for the question. I understand that you are experiencing issues connecting your iPhone 5s to iTunes. The following resource may assist you:
iOS: Device not recognized in iTunes for Windows
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1538
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hello
No i'm connect via ethernet (cable) with TC. The problem is when I try to connect to my TC when I'm away from home like for ex. using a free wi fi spot!! Well in this case the icon appear on my Finder but refuse to connet!! ( connection faild ).

"Connection failed" message when loading classic app

Hi. Hope this is the right forum. It think so, as follows:
I have one Classic app on my computer that I must use for work, two or three times each month (its a great time billing program). Since going to 10.4.6 (Combo update) a few weeks ago, whenever I launch the application (from the dock) and Clasic starts up, I get a message: "Connection failed. The file server is running on your machine. Please access the volumes and files locally." I hit OK, and then OK again, and the Classic app comes right on up. Never got this before 10.4.6.
I have a two Mac network (Airport). The other computer can access the Classic app, and does not get this message. I am admin on my computer. I have ownership permissions on the Classic app and all the data files, with the other computer having read-write permissions on the data.
I've checked System Prefs (Network and Classic) and see nothing out of the ordinary.
This is more of an annoyance than anything else, but can someone tell me why an app on my hard disk is trying to connect to server, and what I can do to fix it?
Thanks!

Hi - I just noticed your reply from June 6th, Anthony. It's been hectic here at work! Sorry for the delay in responding.
Let's see if we can make some headway.
To begin with your questions:
Q: Have you checked the application preferences to see if you have auto-update turned on?
A: There is no auto-update in Preferences.
This is an old app and updates were by disc only.
Q: Please also advise as to what application you are using.
A: Timeslips V. 2.1.c, Network Edition (its a legal billing program).
Q: There may be something more specific to look for but it is a little difficult to say without more information.
A: Here's some more info - the server message ("Connection failed. The file server is running on your machine. Please access the volumes and files locally.") only happens on the computer that the app is stored on. It also happens with any other Classic app on that computer if you log into any Classic app directly from OS X. However, if you go to Prefernces and set the OS 9.2.2 disc as the startup disc, and run any Classic app that way, the message does not appear. Also, if I log into the computer that has the app stored on it and run the app from my computer, I do not get the "Connection failed" message. Similarly, I never get that message when I open a Classic app on my computer.
As to the 2 computers. The one that keeps getting the "Connection failed. The file server is running on your machine. Please access the volumes and files locally." message is a G4 eMac (10.4.6). My computer (the one that never gets the message) is a G4 iMac (10.4.6). Both are up to date with security updates and are otherwise identical in their systems. The ONLY differnce is that the iMac can administer the eMac, but the eMac is not an Administrator of the iMac. However, the eMac has never been an administrator of the iMac and we've been running the Classic app without hassle for 3 years, until about 3 months ago.
Our network is a Snow Airport. We are DSL.
I suspect that this may have something to do with Appleshare or some other OS 9 setting I've long since forgotten about.
Any help?
Thanks!
iMac CDRW Mac OS X (10.4.6)

Constant Connection Failed Message

Good evening.
I have a server on my network and am constantly getting a Connection failed message on my iMac. It says the the Connection failed.... There was an error connecting to the server "xxxxxx". Check the server name or IP address, and then try again. If you are unable to resolve the problem contact your system administrator. The funny thing is is that I can connect and see the folders, etc., but I still get the message. Clicking OK simply makes it come back. How do I make this go away?
Thanks.

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Server "Connection Failed" message when starting Classic

I recently updated from OS 10.2.8 to 10.4.3. Everything made the conversion smoothly except that whenenver I now startup Classic, I get this message in a dialog box:
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Phil,
You nailed it. Thank you!
I moved the Sherlock first and as I dragged it to the trash, as if it were Freddie Kruger refusing to die, it triggered the "Connection Failed" message riff. However, when I rebooted Classic, I saw that removing it alone did not eliminate the problem. So, I next removed all non-System generated (i.e., the one's in created for my apps) aliases. That did it.
I see now that the aliases that seemed to be causing the problem related to programs that I had recently moved from the startup HD to a second internal HD that I'd just installed. The "System generated" aliases all connected to programs that remained where they've always been, on the startup HD. What is confusing me is that there is no "network" that needed to be used for the non-System aliases to reach the moved programs and they're not on another "server," so don't see why that was the message I got. Additionally, normally, when an alias loses it's link to the originating program, I just get a message stating that it can't find that program. If I'd gotten the same message this time, it would have been much easier to track the problem.
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It allows you to download it offline, which is what I used.
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Iphoto "connection fail" messages on photo import

I am having a problem with iphoto 8 that is driving me up the wall.. I will try to explain it in detail, so bear with me.
Recently, upon trying to import some photos from my Nikon D40X,(camera is tethered via USB) iphoto get partially through the import, then starting at a certain photo, it hangs for a bit. After about a minute of the spinning beach ball, I get a the following pop up:
Connection Failed The server may not exsist or is not operational at this time......
after I click OK, I get: The volume for "photo name.jpg" cannot be found... and I am given 3 options Cancel, Find Photo, or OK
If I choose Cancel, it just repeats the same messages. Clicking Find Photo allow me to point iphoto to the file in a finder window, it then imports properly, the repeats the problem with the next photo. Clicking OK, just repeats the problem with the next photo.
Now, I will mention that during this process, the camera is attached and available in finder the whole time. It is not losing any connection. I can open the camera folder from Finder, browse, copy, quicklook the photos with no problems.
I figured maybe if I copy these photos to a folder on the mac HD, maybe I could just import them directly to iphoto from the desktop. WRONG. The exact problem persists.
So, anyone have any ideas?
Below are the details of my system:
Macbook CoreDuo 2.0ghz
2gig ram
320gig HD
OSX 10.5.5
iLife 08
Nikon D40X camera. (I have all of the latest Apple software updates, including camera RAW updates.)
I shoot in HQ JPEG. Not RAW.
Thanks!
Jeremy

Jeremy:
Welcome to the Apple Discussions. Are you shooting RAW or just jpgs? If it's just jpgs you might consider a workflow change that uploads the files to a folder on the desktop and batch renames the files to a file that that gives more information about the photo. If you also name the folder to reflect the shoot and import into iPhoto the event will have the same name as the folder and the file name issue will not crop up at a later date when copying to folder, etc. I use
I use the international date format and a brief description to batch, sequentially rename my files and use R-Name to do it. The folder is given a short date and a brief description.
If you shoot RAW only you can use the same process.
If you shoot RAW and jpg together you can find out about various workflows at the DAM (digital asset management) forum. I've found that the renaming before import makes it so much easier to organize backups of the files, search and sort, and identify the files in my backup location which just saves the folders and files separately.
Just some food for thought.
TIP: For insurance against the iPhoto database corruption that many users have experienced I recommend making a backup copy of the Library6.iPhoto (iPhoto.Library for iPhoto 5 and earlier) database file and keep it current. If problems crop up where iPhoto suddenly can't see any photos or thinks there are no photos in the library, replacing the working Library6.iPhoto file with the backup will often get the library back. By keeping it current I mean backup after each import and/or any serious editing or work on books, slideshows, calendars, cards, etc. That insures that if a problem pops up and you do need to replace the database file, you'll retain all those efforts. It doesn't take long to make the backup and it's good insurance.
I've created an Automator workflow application (requires Tiger or later), iPhoto dB File Backup, that will copy the selected Library6.iPhoto file from your iPhoto Library folder to the Pictures folder, replacing any previous version of it. It's compatible with iPhoto 6 and 7 libraries and Tiger and Leopard. Just put the application in the Dock and click on it whenever you want to backup the dB file. iPhoto does not have to be closed to run the application, just idle. You can download it at Toad's Cellar. Be sure to read the Read Me pdf file.
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Sip connection failed until reboot on E72 and othe...

Hello,
Let me explain in details with some comment about what i thing about E72 and nokia in general.
At first, E72 replace now my "old" N95 'cause, in my mind, this phone, or s60 3rd fp1, is no longer supported by nokia (no free maps as example). I've chosen E72 for its battery and its functionalities that seems to be at least the same or better than N95.
But, among some lacks, there was no "internet tel." menu that could allow me to setting up my voip settings as easily as on N95. I've downloaded this additionnal sofware with its thousand settings that made me crazy to get it work as fine as on N95, without additional actions than clicking "use it"
Finally, after playing with "x-lite" sip software and its codecs manager, VOIP works now fine. Except in some case I can't explain. Some times, E72 is unable to connect / activate "internet tel" service, the problem doesn't come from wifi connectivity that works with other software like maps or web, I try to deactivate and reactivate voip service (from contact menu ?) and always no internet tel service. I must reboot phone to get it works. what happen ?
So, is s60 3rd fp2 an evolution of fp1 or a fork without any knowledge management on bug reports and solutions ? When an application or service works fine, why making changes that break working functionalities.
In that way, it's more and more difficult to get nokia phones working fine.
It's impossible to set up "internet tel call mailbox" via the menu "call mailbox".
You must enter this setting in the "advanced voip settings" to get it appear in "call mailbox" menu.
In general terms, the software integration is very bad. To get a near basic functionality working fine we must click everywhere to find the last ultimate hidden parameter.
Don't ask yourself (nokia) why end users buy iphone in spite of poor functionalities and capabilities. End users don't really want to learn all phone architecture to set up their phones.
Why are mail set up in "messaging" and in new "nokia messaging" app? why video menu in gallery is a link to video center and why videos are in image menu ? Why the "optical button" has different sensitivity depending of the menu or application ? Why is there's no way to setting up "default call type" like on N95 in "call settings" ? Why internet call service manager is in contact menu ? Why is it impossible to delete shareware like "world traveler" that's always ask for internet connectivity until setting up all functionalities to update manually ?
Finally I was able to get rid of some lack, but it's only because I'm a kind of geek. A lot of my friends are old nokia users and went to iphone. I'm not waiting for an "iphone like" nokia phone but only a better software integration with a minimum of logic. Nokia os looks now like a big multi patched app with a new bug to correct another ... All these modification are easy to find in the "help" built in page, to many topics looks like "option may varies depending of ..." and E72 manual is out of date and useless because a lot of menu links don"t exist in the phone UI.
I'll still trying to setup my present and future nokia phones until only high level developpers will be able to set parameter via the new powerfull command line UI.
On conclusion, it's as difficult for you to read me than for me to undestrand how is organised my S60

I recently did a clean install on my MacBook (from Leopard to Snow Leopard) and ran into the same problem. I provide limited support at my office and do that primarily through screen sharing. One thing I noticed after the install was not only could I not screen share with anyone on the local network, but if anyone tried to connect access my shared folder it would actually open the shared folder of another computer on the network.
Whereas Screen Sharing would simply time out if I attempted to connect to the majority of computers on the network. However, when I tried connecting to the machine whose shared folders would open if someone tried connecting to my computer, I got the "Connection failed. The server is available on your computer. Access the volumes and files locally." error.
After performing a hard reset on our Airport Base Station I am now able to screen share with the other computers on our network EXCEPT for the one that gave me the error in quotes above. Any ideas?

"Connection failed" message after entering Desktop and Screensavers pref

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