How to indentify an unknown shared computer showing in finder?

For quite some time I've been seeing a computer show up under shared in finder. It appears as macbook-2cd86c. When I click on it is states that I'm connected as a "guest". I can identify my husband's MacBook. If it helps to know, we both connect to the internet wirelessly and use AT&T UVerse. I thought that maybe it be the name of the router, but we've changed it a few times and the name of the unknown macbook has remained the same. We also both have iphones that sync to our respective computers. Our network is WPA protected. How can I indentify this unknown computer?

how do I find out the the number of the MAC address on my husband's Mac?
Applications -> Utilities -> System Profiler
On the left side select "Network"
On the top Right side select "Airport"
In the bottom Right look for "MAC Address"
Unless your Husband is using "Built-in Ethernet", then select that entry in the Top Right panel.

Similar Messages

Unknown shared computer shows up

Hi everyone,
I have used Mac OS X since version 10.1, so I know it quite well. However, since I have upgraded to 10.5, a computer shows up under "shared" in the Finder. It was never my intention to connect to any computer, but one named uw-uy155rr0hdft (a pc server) keeps showing up. Sometimes it disappears (after a reboot), but whenever I download something through Safari, it appears again.
I am worried that someone might have broken into my system (is this even possible on a Mac?), since I never wanted to connect to this PC in the first place. On the plus side, whenever I click on this shared computer, the connection fails. How can I remove this shared computer from my system? Thank you very much in advance.

This recently happened to me as well. "Computer2007" is what showed up along with another name. I'm behind 2 routers on a wired connection so I'm not sure what it could have been. I disconnected my modem, restarted my comp, changed my firewall options and enabled stealth mode. Nothing shows up now.

HT203254 how to make whats on my computer show on my t.v.

how to make whats on my computer show on my t.v.

I'm presuming that you've already made the connection with a suitable cable. What are you getting on the TV? Are you getting a completely blank screen? Are you getting a message similar to 'no input detected'? Or are you getting the spiral galaxy desktop?
If the last of these then what you have is an extended desktop. If you move the mouse cursor off the edge of the MBP's screen you will see it appear on the TV. Similarly you can drag windows from the MBP's screen to the TV. At present the MBP's screen is the primary display and shows the menu bar and dock, and the TV is the secondary display. To change this go into System Preferences -> Displays -> Arrangement. You will see an image of two screens, a smaller one representing the MBP's display and a larger one representing the external display. At the top of the smaller screen in the image is a bar, this represents the menu bar at the top of the screen. Drag it from the smaller screen to the larger screen. The external display will become the primary display and the menu bar and dock will appear there and any new windows or applications that you open subsequently will appear there too.
silvergc's suggestion to use mirroring will work, but you won't be using the native resolution of the TV which could result in fuzziness or bluriness of the image on the TV.

I am running OSX 10.7 and a shared computer shows up on my Finder list. How do I delete it?

When I bought my Mac Air in 2012, I transferred all my windows data to my Mac Air after I installed Parallels. Windows has run perfectly since then. However, why does the name of my old PC show up in my Shared list of computers on my Wi-Fi? Since it doesn't exist, how can I delete that shared name?

Apparently, it does exist somewhere. Perhaps in Parallels. You transferred an old Windows system into Parallels, so it may just be showing that as an available server via Parallel's configuration.

New "Shared" Computer showing up?

Hi,
All of a sudden, I have a new device showing up in my "shared" list on the left side of my open windows. I'm not sure where it came from or how to get rid of it. I've searched the threads here, but couldn't find the answer, so would appreciate any help.
I have a G4 Tower connected directly via ethernet to an Airport Extreme, using a DSL modem. I also have a MacBook that connects via Airport, and it also shows this unknown device. When I "Get info" on the device, it says it's a "PC Server" but no more info, and clicking on it shows two folders, "D" and "SharedDocs," and that I'm connected as: Guest.
I've never put any password on my network (we live in a pretty rural area, so never felt the need). But I'm wondering if it's a neighbor's computer showing up?
How do I get rid of this icon?
Thanks,
Mark

Mark Nadell wrote:
All I can think of, in my case, is that there was a neighbor that somehow got on my "Shared" list.
There is no "somehow." You neighbor was "stealing" your WiFi. Let's hope he was not smart enough to access your computer.
If you run the terminal command
last
you will see all the logins.
I changed my Airport Network to WPA security (from no security at all), and the "rogue" device is no longer there.
You should be using WPA2 - even WPA has been compromised and WEP is a joke these days.
Eventually everyone will learn to use WPA2.

Shared computer showing up in Finder not part of my network

Hello,
I am very confused on what is going on here. Basically, I am at a friends house and have my MacBook connected directly with an Ethernet chord. There are no other connections going out of the DSL box/Router because there is only one output for internet. It's the generic one that comes with internet installation.
That being said, in the sidebar of my Finder window there is a computer listed under shared called "office" and I am capable of viewing all of the files on this computer.
The only other computer in the house is a Windows 98 Desktop computer, and does not have the same files on it, nor is it even connected to the internet.
Like I said, this is a direct connection, no wireless router.
If it matters, I was previously in town using unsecured wifi from local businesses and then came home, plugged in the ethernet, and the shared computer popped up.
When I disconnect the ethernet, the shared computer goes away.
I am completely boggled on how this can be occuring.

Do you have your MacBook's AirPort turned on? You are likely picking up an unsecured WiFi router and attached computer network.

How can I remove the "shared" menu in the finder?

Hey Folks,
I hope my question makes sense - have a look at my screenshot: http://i11.tinypic.com/717nkhf.png
how can I remove that "shared' menu, I don't know its there and I would like to take it out please.
thanks.
-Joey

Hey Matt...
When I select it, it's blank.. nothing's in there... I think I first saw that when I used my laptop @ a hotel I had to connect through a ethernet cable and there was a bunch of networks... but now I am back in my office and just connecting to my wirless connection called "rhino's" (thats' the name of my company)
So I'm not sure why the "All" is there.. and when I click on it, it doesn't show any network...
Hope its not too confusing mate.
Thanks,
-Joey

"Extra" version of computer showing in Finder?

I see in the Finder that an extra version of my wife's computer keeps showing in the Finder. (See screen shot) As you can see, there is her MacBook Pro along with two others with numbers in parentheses. The problem is that I can't access her computer for file backups, etc.
When I go to her System Preferences and go to Sharing, I delete the number after the parentheses, but it reappears.
Any ideas? This just started happening with the new OS.
Thanks.

OK, sorted it in the end. I'd restarted both computers and my AppleTV, but hadn't done a reboot on my Time Capsule. I did that and it fixed the multiple instance issue. I was still left with a number in parenthesis next to each computer name, but I fixed that by following this article: http://www.cnet.com/news/computer-showing-on-network-with-2-next-to-name/ (turn off file sharing in system preferences, rename the computer, turn file sharing back on).

Have unknown shared computer

I was attaching a file to an email when I noticed that there was an unknown, what looks like a computer, in my shared items. It is listed as "brw008092c78403" and in the GET INFO box it shows: General' Kind: PC; More Info: (cannot find anything on it); Preview: Shows a computer screen.
How do I remove this from my iMac?

That's probably a Brother printer.
Do you have one of those?
If so, remove it from your Mac...
Shut down the printer.
Reconfigure the Brother printer to not use its SMB / CIFS access services, which is what the Mac is detecting here.
Or leave it be, possibly after having reset the printer name to something like "Brother Printer" via the printer's configuration menus.

Another shared computer showing up on my computer

Hello - a couple of days ago, I used AirPort to go online. Usually, as soon as I shut down Airport, all of the Shared networks get shut down as well, however, there is still one network showing under 'Shared', and I am completely off Airport. It says the computer name, then 'Connection Failed'. How can I get rid of this? Thanks!

I did disconnect from Wi-Fi, and I also clicked on Open Network Preferences, then turned it off from there. I've never seen this before, so I was concerned... is there another way to 'get rid' of it? Thanks!

Unknown "Shared" computer in sidebar

I sometimes get a computer (name mlt1a8990) showing up in the shared section of the sidebar which I know nothing about! The Get Info just says it's a PC Server but I don't have a Windows PC connected by ethernet. I cannot connect to it. If I try, I get the message "connection failed" with a message that it may not exist or is not operational and it often disappears.
I do have a wireless connection to the network which is used only for my iPod Touch and MacBook Pro but I do not allow broadcast of SSID, I have a WPA2 password and access is restricted to machines by Mac address. But it seems to remain there even if I have wireless turned off which suggests it's not a breach of my wireless security.
Any ideas?

I would say so. I can't find the posts anymore but some other posts experiencing a similar problem (but I don't think it was with a networked printer) reported having a partial of a MAC address as the name of the mysterious "shared PC server." You might try playing some games like powering down the printer then cycling power on the modem/router and your Mac and see if it goes away from the sidebar. But I would venture to say that you have correctly identified what it is. Now, why it's showing up as a PC server and how to make it not do that anymore.....

How to setup iTunes on shared computer so others cant buy music at my expns

I want to use iTunes on my work computer (which other people sometimes use) without allowing others to purchase music on my credit card.
Background: I've been using iTunes at home for 2 years and had an iPod for 13 months. I like how iTunes works.
I staff an elementary school computer lab. I have 500-1000 mp3 files there that we've played in the past using Winamp or Windows media player. But I prefer how iTunes works and organizes music and I'd like to use it there.
I recently installed iTunes on my admin workstation at school and I am moving our music into its library. But many iTunes features will not work unless I set up an account with a credit card for automatic purchasing. If I do that, how can I prevent others from making purchases on my credit card?
Yesterday I signed in there using my apple id. But I notice that moved my shopping cart and that only two clicks will add purchases to my credit card.
I have a coworker who uses this computer every morning, and other teachers and students use it from time to time. I don't want them to accidentally make purchases on my credit card.
I do not plan to move my home iTunes library (about 6000 items) to the school computer nor to synch my iPod there.
So what should I do? Set up a new acct there with a credit card that I seldom use? Is there any way to require a password for purchases but not for using the iTunes library and store?
IBM NetVista Windows XP Pro public computer

I think I will set up a separate acct name and
password, different from what I use at home.
> Don't do that.
You iTunes account is not linked to specific computer
or location.
If you set up a different iTunes account, you will
have songs from 2 different accounts you need to keep
track of.
There is no need to ever have to create a new iTunes
account. If you move, get a new ISP, change email
addresses, etc. just change your account to reflect
the new stuff.
Thanks, but I already did set up a new acct today, with a password required. I used a password that my job partner also knows and an old credit card I never use. I did that because I noticed iTunes wouldn't let me download there the weekly free music that I had already downloaded at home.
I thought there was a limit of 5 computers you can have music on. Is that right? I have shared a few purchased songs with my son and my uncle, which required me to authorize their computers. (ITunes said my uncle's was #4, which means there's another mystery computer somewhere authorized to play my music!)
I'd like teachers to be able to buy a song they need by giving me $1 and buying it on the spot, rather than expecting me to look for it at night at my home.
I think this will work. We'll see ...
IBM NetVista Windows XP Pro school computer lab
Windows XP Pro

How do you shut down a computer safely when Finder is not responding?

I've been having some problem with my Mac OS X lately where Aperture has been "not responding". Stupidly, I used forced shutdown of that program until I learned how bad this is. So today I'm working on my mac (trying to learn what's wrong with Aperture) and the beachball for Finder starts spinning and the program is not responding. How do I restart or shut down without damaging anything? I could "force quit" but don't know if this is bad for Finder, as it is bad for Aperture. Help!

Hi suzyfromks,
Welcome to the Support Communities!
If a single application is unresponsive, you don't have any other option but to Force Quit.
Then I would suggest quitting your other open applications normally, and starting the computer in Safe Mode as explained in this article.
Mac OS X: How to troubleshoot a software issue
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1199
Regarding Aperture, I would suggest making sure you have a Time Machine backup of your computer, and follow these troubleshooting steps:
Aperture 3: Troubleshooting Basics
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3805
I hope this information helps ....
- Judy

Unwanted "Shared" computer in my Finder?

Ok, I opened my Finder, and to my surprise I see this there.
I don't know what it is and it's scaring me. I wouldn't say that I'm Mac stupid, since I've had 3 Macs, but I really don't mess with this kind of stuff on it, so I don't know what this is.
Is it harmful? What does it mean? How do I get rid of it?

Alright so I see other people asked the same thing. I do have a wireless router, but it is password protected. The only other device possibly using it right now is my iPod touch. Is that what this is? If so, why is it this weird name?

How do I back up the computer with no Finder

Hi All,
I have a iBook G4 with the specification given below. I need to back up the hard drive so that I can reinstall the OS from the install disk. I have a 520GB hard drive connected via the USB. The issue is that I need to back it up and reinstall it because I can't see the finder. This was a solution the Mac genius gave me.
I read about install the OS on the hard drive and then backing it up. But it seems like there has to be a better way to do it.
Could someone please tell me or point me in the right direction?
Thanks

Hey Prit and Welcome to Apple Discussions,
The issue is that I need to back it up and reinstall it because I can't see the finder.
So it boots but you can't see the upper menu bar? Can you open your browser? Can you see the external? If so you could run Carbon Copy Cloner:
http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/13260#feedback
and clone to your external then do your reinstall. You could try an archive and install but don't do that before you have backed up your information.
Richard

How to indentify an unknown shared computer showing in finder?

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for