Dual iMacs and a shared external HD

I have two 24" iMacs sitting side by side on our workstation. We have a common external HD I'd like to share between the two. it's mounted to one via firewire but when I try to connect it to the other iMac at the same time it won't recognize the HD

If I remember correctly, only one of the two Macs can have the external HD connected.
The connected hard drive should be able to share its drive using sharing. (Sharing control panel). Enable Fire Sharing and specify which folder/hard drive to share.
On the other iMac (not directly connected one), the shared drive/folder should appear when you go to Connect to Server.

Similar Messages

Mac and windows sharing external drive on mac.

I am trying to access my external drive on my mac from my pc. Sharing is enabled but the drive doesn't show up. what are the options to do this? I have tried to find it by name command line in windows but no go. I also tried to mount it to the pc but no good the drive mounts but will not asign a drive letter and is not a readable format for XPpro.... Doh!
Thanks
Mark

If you want the drive to be readable on both peecee and Mac, the drive should be formatted as a FAT32 volume which OSX can read and write to or as a NTFS volume which the Mac can read but not write to.
That is not correct.
Windoze does not recognize any Mac formats.
That's true, but Windows doesn't need to read Mac formats to access a network disk. The disk formatting is handled by the computer directly connected to the disk (which is the Mac). The network file access does not contain any disk formatting information and therefore it doesn't matter what format is used on the disk.
You can use SharePoints to make that drive visible to non-Admin users.

Mac and Windows shared external hard drive - possible?

Our set up is a Windows XP pc and iMac 20" and I hoped that we could back up both computers using one external hard drive - that way if the Mac failed we could still use the pc to access the files and vice versa. But having looked into buying one I'm starting to get doubts about whether it is possible. I just don't understand all the technical stuff. Can anyone help in layman's terms how we go about it?
Thanks
Jane

Try iFelix's excellent guides for Windows to Mac networking (link). I understand that he will do Vista versions as soon as possible.
A FAT32 formatted drive in a NAS Enclosure like this one (link) should suit you needs. Remember that a NAS drive will not have the performance of a Firewire connected drive so you do need to consider your intended usage.
kind regards
mrtotes

IMac and internet sharing issue

Under System Preferences_Internet & Sharing_Sharing, I have the internet sharing box checked, along with screen sharing. Whenever I turn on my computer, the internet sharing is disabled, although the box is still checked. Once I re-check the box, it starts up again. What gives?

Everyone I found the answer after I posted my own comment re localhost...got me thinking.
I checked /etc/hosts file and in there was a loopback to localhost
127.0.0.1 somewebsite.com
WOW...how the heck did that get entered as I never edited this file??
Now all works fine.
Thanks everyone for your assistance.
Here is a link to where I originally found the clue

Help using multiple computers and one shared external drive

I just "bought" the new LR / PS combo special. I have 3 computers, 2 PC's in seperate cities and a laptop that I use on the road. I would like to use an external hard drive as the main drive. This way I could take the drive with me.
2 Questions....First I tried to learn the basics using the internal hard drive on PC#2. I then set up a external drive with multiple folders but within one main folder. I then started importing to the external drive using PC#2 (which is at my vacation property). Everything went smooth until I tried to import from that external drive, It does not open that catalog. I am saving them as digital negatives.
Question #2 which I have not tried yet is PC#1 which is my main home computer does not have LR. I have years of photos in hundreds of files sorted in bridge that have to be renamed and put on the hard drive. It does not have the latest version of PS and I have lots of money invested in plug ins. How can I get lightroom on that computer and will it talk to what I believe is the prior version of photoshop. I don't even want to think about all the plug ins.
It's pretty clear that I am lost. I was going to continue using bridge and PS but there is no bridge on the new version, at least not on the $9.99 special. From what I've seen, LR is the way to go.
HELP

Mantis wrote:
I was going to continue using bridge and PS but there is no bridge on the new version, at least not on the $9.99 special. From what I've seen, LR is the way to go.
Bridge should be included in the $9.99 bundle http://www.adobe.com/products/creativecloud/faq.html#pslr-bundle

Imac and ipad 2?? or laptop and larger monitor?

I am planning to get a new computer (currently using a 6yr old imac PPC and an old 15" TPB, both running quite happily but unable to do some things I want ;-) I am leaning towards a 21.5 imac and an ipad2. The imac will obviously be my major work center for photo editing, quicken (which I know is an issue with Lion) documents, etc.
I have a few questions, and if in the end, I need to cut this email up and post in more than one place, I will. But I thought I'd start here.
Currently I am using Microsoft office but considering going with pages and numbers. I've heard Apple has improved how well they 'play' with microsoft documents so I hope that is true. I live in Seattle so supporting Microsoft, a major employer in my area, is something I am ok with, to some degree, but I like the idea of using a native program with a new computer IF it works well. This may be better in another forum, if so, just let me know.
I am wondering if anyone has this set up, the imac and the ipad for mobility and if so, are you happy with it? I've played with the ipad in the store many times but that isn't the same as sitting on your couch or going to the library or coffee house (I said I live in Seattle ;-) and using it. Are they any things you find that you wish it did?
The other idea is getting a powerbook and a 2nd larger monitor so I can move the powerbook around. But I know of a few people who get tired of unplugging the laptop so they don't move it as much as they thought they would.
The imac - ipad set up seems like it gives me good options, but I wanted to check in here to see what other users might say? Maybe this should get posted in the ipad forum.. but then I might be told to post here, as I ask about the imac. LOL
So thanks for any thoughts you can give me and gentle directions if there is a better way to ask my related questions to different aspects of my planned purchase.
michelle

1) I use iWork for about 90% of my work and it is true that Office and iWork are compatible but that doesn't mean they are identical. The biggest problem is with lost formatting between Word and Pages documents and some incompatibilities between PowerPoint and KeyNote. If you do a good deal of sharing Office files with colleagues/friends then you may want to keep Office around - especially if your files aren't of the 'plain vanilla' variety.
2) I have an iMac (aging 24"), a newish 13" MBP, and an iPad 2. That iMac will probably be the last desktop I own. I use my MBP more than the iMac and with an external display, keyboard and mouse it is just as usable. There are times when sitting in a chair or on the couch with the notebook works just fine and there are other times when a desk works better. At a desk, at least for me, the display and keyboard aren't at the right height for comfort so I have no problem with plugging in the external display. The mouse and keyboard being BT just need to wake up.
3) Now for the hard/controversial part. Could you use an iPad instead of a notebook for mobility. For me the answer is a firm maybe . It is great for surfing, reading email, checking the news and so forth. I find the virtual keyboard so/so for writing. I'll answer a couple emails and take some notes with it. I'm not going to write a report with it. If I were answer your question with the iPad my answer would be much shorter. However, I have taken it instead of my MBP on a couple short business trips. It and a BT keyboard worked great at the hotel and it certainly was more convenient to lug around than the MBP. This is one of those YMMV things and you probably won't know the answer until you've bought the iPad and tried it.

I just need to know how you get an iTunes library off the original hard drive of a mac and onto an external hard drive and still have it work normally?

I just need to know how you get an iTunes library off the original hard drive of an imac and onto an external hard drive and still have it work as it normally would?

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1449

Hi! I have a WD my book external hard drive plugged into my imac and I want to share it over my network with my apple tv. I went into system preferences sharing, checked "file sharing" and added my external hard drive to the shared folder. So now it is

Hi!
I have a WD my book external hard drive plugged into my imac and I want to share it over my network with my apple tv. I went into system preferences > sharing, checked "file sharing" and added my external hard drive to the shared folder. So now it is listed in "shared folders" but under "users" everything is grayed out (it says "read and write" for "everyone" - but "read and write" is grayed out, and it doesn't let me add or subtract users). Now I can access all of the folders I shared from my imac except for the externalhard drive. What's going on?

Hi RRFS!,thanks for help.I forgot to tell that hard drive has 2 partitions 1:format :Mac OS Extended (Journaled) and that works properly,2:format:MS-DOS (FAT32) and when i "get info" for both :first has shering & permitions:You can read and write - with name and privilege, second has shaing & prermissions:You can read and write- without name and privilege

Internet sharing: iMac and G4 PPC Dual Mirror Door via firewire, fire sharing works fine with this set up now need internet sharing

I have already set up file sharing thanks to a query last year, now I need to set up internet sharing, I am using a firewire connection and my ISP has confirmed that their should be not problem in internet sharing between my iMac and my G4 PPC Dual Mirror door but after trying different combinations in the sharing set up I am still drawing a blank on this connection, any help would be appreciated

You have set up file sharing by firewire, right? Now you want to share your iMac's Internet connection with the G4. Does the G4 have an Airport wireless card? If so, set it up that way in System Prefs under Internet Sharing. If the G4 doesn't have an Airport card then you'll need to do it by Ethernet, as in this article http://www.maclife.com/article/howtos/how_share_your_wireless_internet_connectio n_ethernet. But if you do it by Ethernet then your iMac would need to be connected to your modem wirelessly, not by Ethernet, b/c you need the iMac Ethernet port for the connection to the G4. Hope this makes sense.

How to share and update one iTunes master library on an external HD between an iMac and iBook

Hi. I am in the process of consolidating and switching gears from storing my iTunes libraries (which have roughly the same files) on both my iMac and iBook (both OS 10.7.5) to creating one master library on an external hard drive (Canvio Connect 2TB) and sharing that between both computers, updating the laptop (which I use less frequently) when necessary. I wanted to know if this is possible and if so, how to go about doing this in a way where I don't lose any data and am able to maintain it efficiently. Thanks!

There is a library file on the external drive that contains a list of all the tracks you have put into iTunes. The list points to media files iTunes plays are on the external drive too. Using the instructions I provided you tell the iTunes application on each computer to start up using the library file on the external drive. If you add a file to iTunes while using computer #1 the file will be copied to the media folder on the external drive and the library file on the external drive will be updated to show there is a new file. When you plug the same drive into computer #2 and start iTunes it takes the file listing from the library file on the external drive. You are using the one library with each computer and it exists only on the external drive which both computers use. They are truly sharing the same single copy of the library.
I have a box with objects inside and a list inside with an updated inventory of the objects. I give the box to you. You take some objects out and put some in and make a note in the list of what you have done, then put the list back inside and hand the box to me. How do I know what changes you have done? Simple. I open the box and look at the list. It's the same list that was in your hands only moments before. I add a few objects and update the list, put it back inside the box and hand the box to you. How do you know what changes have been made? Simple. Open the box and read the list which was the one I updated moments before. The only copy of the list is in the box so neither of us is needing to keep our own copy of the list updated.
Everything iTunes needs to generate your library listing is in the iTunes folder, but it doesn't have to be on the computer. In your case it will all be on the external drive and each copy of the iTunes application on each computer will look and use the same identical library file on the external drive as you pass it from computer to computer. Once you have set this up you can delete the entire iTunes folder in Music from your computer because the application will no longer be using it. The only thing "iTunes" left on the computer will be the application itself, but each copy will have been told to use the library on the external drive.
Okay, enough. I've said the same thing about 4 ways now.

Transferring files from original imac AND external CD for old imac

I have an original iMac that has tons of files on it I would like to save. I created a LOT of materials when I was teaching and they are all on the old iMac. It also has two games I bought on floppy discs that I would really like to keep. I tried to load files on a Passport, but the iMac won't recognize it. I have two other old iMacs (not quite originals) as well, but they won't take the Passport either. They will both take a flash drive. I can take word processing files (I can't even remember the application at the moment) off the older one and convert them to Apple Works on the other one, then take the converted files to our iMac 9.1 and convert them to Pages. Then I put them on the Passport. It is a pain, but at least it works. I can also save the documents as pdfs and put them directly on the newer iMac and copy and paste in a Pages document.
The original iMac does not lend itself to any of this. What is the best way to transfer files? It seems like a very long time ago I tried to connect it to my newer iMac with an Ethernet cable but it wouldn't accept the cable. If I am remembering correctly I called Apple Support and they said it lacked something that would allow it to connect. I do not remember if I have tried a flash drive on it or not. I believe I did and it would not recognize it.
Also, does anyone know how I can manage to save a copy of the games? Since I bought them on floppies I can't reinstall them if something happens, but I believe it is within the law to make a backup copy. Someone please correct me if I am wrong. I do have an external floppy reader for the original iMac, but it only works on user created floppies, not commercial ones. If I can manage to hook up to a flash drive or another computer and I simply save the game application, will that be enough? Or is it not possible to know until I try? Will saving the application get all the necessary files?
My second question concerns the newer (but still really old) iMacs. My daughter would love to play some of the games she used to play on them, but the CD drives do not work. Does anyone know where I can get an external CD drive that we can attach to these old iMacs so she can enjoy her games? The computers work fine; she just can't insert the CDs, because it's next to impossible to get them out again.
I believe on the "newer" two we are running OS 9, at least on one of them. I do not recall the OS on the original, but it is whatever it came with. OS 8, perhaps? It has been probably half a year since we fired it up.
I appreciate any advice and help anyone can give me. We really like these old iMacs, which is why we still have three of them. If we can save the files off the original iMac, we would still keep it so we could play our two old games from time to time. :-) I would part with one of the other old iMacs, but I really need to get the files first, and since it won't take a Passport I'm wondering if I'm stuck putting files a few at a time on a flash drive. Do you think it would take an ethernet cable? It seems like I tried to connect to my newer iMac but I couldn't get the computers to recognize each other. I followed all the steps for sharing, but I still couldn't get it to work.
Thank you so much.

Have you formatted the Western Digital Passport drive as a Mac OS Extended (HFS+) volume, or is it factory-formatted for PCs? If the oldest iMac is only running OS 8, it can't recognize HFS+ volumes. It was OS 8.1 that introduced that feature. Additionally, the version of the USB support files (which is somewhat OS-dependent) on the iMacs hard drives affects what will or will not be recognized by those older computers. With each successive release of the USB Adapter Support, the database of supported devices was broadened. The easiest way to transfer the contents of the iMac's hard drive is to physically remove it from the computer and connect a USB-to-IDE adapter directly to it. These adapters come with an external power supply to provide the 12 & 5 volts needed to power the drive. The data connection block is designed to fit either a 3.5" hard drive or the smaller 2.5" laptop drive, as well as newer drives that connect via SATA. It has an included USB cable that connects to a standard USB port, enabling direct reading/writing/file transfers from the hard drive to the computer to which it's connected. These adapters are not Mac-specific in terms of design, so you can buy one at a PC store and use it. For the purpose of identifying such an adapter, here's one that's often recommended in these Forums, carried by Other World Computing. As I mentioned, this adapter is not platform-specific, so you can buy/use a less expensive one sold by PCs stores. I bought one for $15 from Micro Center (PC store), and it has worked with Macs and PCs. As for removing the hard drive from the old iMac - and I assume that it's one of the original models with a tray-loading optical drive (as opposed to the slightly newer ones that have a slot-loading optical drive), you can find directions for accomplishing that if you do a web search. The link that I had for one site (that was good for years) is no longer valid. The iMacs that have a problem ejecting disks are undoubtedly slot-loading models. There are two wide rubber rollers inside those optical drives that grip the disk to pull it in or feed it out. Over time, the rubber dries out, causing the rollers to lose their natural gripping capabilities. If those iMacs have a FireWire port on the side, I'd suggest an external FireWire optical drive. Today, the only type you'll find is a DVD±RW drive, which is more than you need for your intended purpose. A basic CD-ROM drive isn't manufactured/sold anymore. Other World Computing has a few FireWire optical drives, but their least expensive model sells for about $100. Obviously, that costs more than the value of the entire iMac at this point, but the drive will also have USB connectivity as well. You may find other uses for it with your other computers (Macs & PCs), especially if they don't have a CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-ROM, or DVD±RW drive. As for transferring a program itself, there could be other associated files. You'd want to check the Extensions and Control Panels folders for any that are named to likely indicate being a part of the program's installed files. The Preferences folder will probably have a file that has saved game settings, but a new one would be created when you run the program in another supported computer. Depending on the age of the program - and you indicated that it was on floppy disks - its compatibility with newer, pre-OS X releases might be limited. The external USB floppy drive that you use with the older iMac should read commercial floppy disks, but it will not recognize the older 800K (Double-Density) Mac-formatted floppy disks. They're disks that typically format as 720K floppies in a PC, but the variable-speed FDD in older Power Macs was able to fit an extra 80K of data onto those disks. A standard 720K "PC" floppy disk should be read by that drive, but it can't recognize an 800K "Mac" disk. A 720K/800K Double-Density floppy disk only has the slide-lock hole at one corner, while a High-Density (1.44 MB) floppy disk has an additional hole at the opposite corner to differentiate it from the older type.

Cannot access shared external drive on iMac from Windows 7

Used to be able to access this drive with no problem from any of my PC's. Sent iMac in for repair and system drive was wiped so I'm starting from clean install of Leopard. Did all the updates first including 10.6.4 which wasn't on before the system drive died.
Firewall is off
SMB is on
Everyone as well as main user has read write access to external drive
iMac is in the same workgroup as machine, although it wasn't before and it worked fine.
PC can ping the IP of the iMac and get a response, can see the iMac in list of networked computers
but cannot access anything on it.
Windows 7 network diagnostics says "file and print sharing resource (JMGIMAC) is online but isn't responding to connection attempts" "The remote computer isn't responding to connections on port 445
I've tried everything, any ideas
Josh

I am familiar with the instructions for sharing files and have followed them (several times I might add).
My problem is that the information that I place in the WINS tab ( in the Network Preference Pane) disappears when the iMac is re-started. This information (especially the Workgroup name) must appear when the computer re-boots. It doesn't and I have to re-enter the information in the iMac before I can access its files from a Windows PC.
I have searched the internet for days trying to find an answer to this question. Although the problem seems to be fairly common, no solutions have been found.

IMac Intel and WinXP - Sharing Files Problem

Hi there,
I want to be able to retrieve my files from my Windows XP Pro SP2 computer to my iMac Intel. Both currently are connected via a NetGear Router and have an internet connection (satellite modem). I use the installed Apple Airport Express card.
Problem is that I can't get either computer to see the other; however, I can successfully ping each one from the other one. There is no data loss, no delays. They are connected via ethernet cable from the satellite modem to the router, then from the WinXP computer to a different port on the router. Neither ethernet cable goes into the iMac.
Therefore, as I know that the IP addresses seem to be correct, what else needs to be done here? I was speaking with an Apple rep on the phone who suggested taking one ethernet cable and remove it from the router and connect it direct to the iMac and run it to the XP. Problem is that now the XP computer has no internet connection. So, I have reversed it back in order that both computers can access the internet. (I caught them at their closing time apparently as the agent wasn't on the line when I went back on to report that I had changed the cable over...)
When I select Go and then Connect to Server Settings, after about 1 minute I finally get an error message from the AFP server connection stating: "Connection Failed. The server may not exist or it is not operational at this time. Check the server name or IP address and try again. OK."
I have disabled the firewall on the XP computer. I also removed the antispyware, the main firewall software and the antivirus software. (These are all from Freedom Software [now called ZeroKnowledge I believe].) I then reverted to the Windows Firewall and did some more tests. Nothing changed.The only difference here between this firewall being enabled and disabled is the speed with which the error message appears. If the Windows Firewall is DISabled then it takes about 2 seconds for this message to appear. If ENabled then about 1 min.
So. Any suggestions on how I can get each computer to recognise the other? I would appreciate any suggestions here. Perhaps I've missed installing something or completing a step? According to Apple I have all I need at least for the iMac. As to the XP stuff I believe it is all fine...
I'm new to all things Mac so details might be helpful for me.
Thanks so much in advance.
iMac Dual Intel 20" Mac OS X (10.4.6) 1 GB RAM, NetGear Router WGR614v6
iMac Dual Intel 20" Mac OS X (10.4.6) 1 GB RAM, NetGear Router WGR614v6.

So is the router negotiating the connection with PPPoE for your local network giving you one external IP address and then using DHCP to negotiate local connections for your two computers or are each of the two computers negotiating their own connection with PPPoE giving them each separate external IP addresses?
This info from Apple may be useful to you;
http://www.apple.com/switch/howto/network.html

Share files & external HD between iMac and Macbook (wirelessly)?

I just bought a new iMac Bad-A computer to add to my rapidly growing arsenal of apple products. I'm having a little trouble figuring out how to share an external HD.
Here's how I have it set up:
iMac in office is connected directly to external HD via firewire.
Airport Extreme is my wireless router in the living room
Macbook is obviously mobile and makes its way to different rooms in the house
Here's what I'd like to accomplish:
Direct file sharing between the iMac to Macbook. I'd like to be able to access files from any location on either computer from the other one. I'd also like the external HD to show up on both the iMac and the Macbook.
Both computers are running the latest version of OS X
Thanks!

Then turn on file sharing in System Preferences on the iMac and the MB will be able to access the drive.
I have a HD connected to an Airport Extreme (APEx) and I have file sharing on my MB (administrator's MacBook) This is what I see in the Finder on my iMac

HT1758 Can i connect my non apple laptop to my iMac and use the iMac as an extra/dual screen while using my laptop?

Got a new laptop from work, no choice on the type, but want to plug it's docking station into my iMac so I can use dual screens while using the laptop. Can I use the Ethernet port for this?

Welcome to Apple Support Communities
Target Display mode only supports Late 2009 and Mid 2010 27-inch iMacs, and Mid 2011 and newer iMacs to use them as external displays, but it only works over Mini DisplayPort or Thunderbolt, not Ethernet.
Your PC needs Mini DisplayPort or Thunderbolt (depending on your iMac) to be able to use your iMac as an external display, so it is probably that you cannot use the iMac as an external display. Instead, look for information in the Internet about VNC viewers that allow you to do that

Dual iMacs and a shared external HD

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