Networking/screen sharing between Mac and PC

I have a standard home wired/wireless network using a DHCP router. My main computer is a Mac Pro running Snow Leopard (latest everything). My secondary computer is a Windows 7 PC, which has IP address 192.168.2.94.
On the Mac Pro, in the Finder sidebar, under shared, I do see the PC: it's called "rackpc". If I click on it, I see the option to Connect As, but if I click it, it says Connection Failed (the server "rackpc" may not exist or it is unavailable at this time). The screen sharing button doesn't appear (as it does for other Macs in my network).
However, if I manually use the Finder's command-K (connect to server) and type in vnc://192.168.2.94, I can easily connect to the PC and share its screen.
So my question is: how can I "save" this bookmark of vnc://192.168.2.94 (or better yet, make the Mac auto-sense the rackpc's existence, which it partially does) and allow it to appear properly in the Shared list of servers on my local network? Right now it appears there, but as I said above, Connect As doesn't work, and Screen Sharing doesn't appear.
The rackpc is not on a fixed IP because I can't figure out how to do that in Windows. So it's grabbing .94 from the router, which is fine by me for now.

See if this Apple Tech Note helps:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1812?viewlocale=en_US

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ITunes sharing between Mac and PC is not working

iTunes sharing between Mac and PC is not working. No shared music appears.
PC = Win XP SP3; 192.168.1.101
iTunes for Windows 6.0.4.2
Sharing enabled / Look for shared music enabled / Share entire library
Open and running on PC
Windows firewall has exceptions set to allow traffic on TCP 3689, UDP 5353
MAC = OS X 10.4.6; 192.168.1.100
iTunes for OS X 6.0.4(3)
Sharing enabled / Look for shared music enabled / Share entire library
Open and running on Mac
System Preferences | Sharing | Services
Personal file sharing - ON
Windows file sharing - ON
Printer sharing - ON
System Preferences | Sharing | Firewall
Personal file sharing - ON
Windows file sharing - ON
Printer sharing - ON
iTunes Music Sharing - ON (i.e., TCP 3689 open)
iPhoto Bonjour Sharing - ON
Network Time - ON
ROUTER = Linksys BEFSR41v4; Firmware 1.04.01; 192.168.1.1
Functioning as DHCP server
File sharing between Mac & PC works OK
BUT iTUNES MUSIC SHARING DOES NOT WORK IN EITHER DIRECTION
Shared music is not visible
Tried turning both firewalls OFF -- still nothing
Tried installing Bonjour for Windows -- still nothing
ANY suggestions? Please help. Thanks.
1.8 GHz PowerPC G5 Mac OS X (10.4.6)

Hi cbafiero,
It seems that the problem lies in your router. I'm not sure exactly what the issue is (I've just now discovered it myself), but after switching from a Linksys WRT54GX2 to a thrift store Netgear, my shared libraries appeared instantly. My gut is telling me that the Linksys routers are blocking the multicast traffic, which is stupid on Linksys's part, to filter traffic internally. I'll look more into the Netgear and see what it has that the Linksys doesn't (or vice versa).

Is it possible to use screen sharing between lion and mountain lion

I could always use screen sharing between my 2010 macbook and my 2007 macmini,both with lion.But now since I upgraded the macbook to mountain loin it doesn't work.The macmini did at first show up on the macbook finder sidebar under sharing like it always had done but as soon as I tried to connect the sharing option disappeared and won't come back.The macmini can still see the macbook however,its on the finder there.But when I try to connect from the mini to the macbook I get an error message that says something like "server error" and contact administrator(that's me!)I can't upgrade the mini to mountain lion as it's too old.So it this an incompatibility between the two operating systems or is it something else?
I also tried to do it with BackTo My Mac,enabled through icloud on both computers but no luck,not even showing the Back to my Mac icon on either Finder sidebar like it's supposed to.When I did it through system preferences-icloud,it said this was successfully enabled but it just doesn't work at all.
Cross about this since I always use the macbook to control the macmini which is plugged into a flat screen tv and it's much easier than fiddling around with a mouse and keyboard.

I can screen share my wife's Lion iMac using Mountain Lion and the reverse is true. If the computer is not showing up to be selected under shard on the left column of the finder it is probable a connection issue. I would check my home network, restart the the macs and toggle the sharded settings and energy saving settings like wake for network activity. Be sure and set up iCloud on both your macs and turn on UPnP if you have a router for your home network serving up NAT IP Numbers. UPnG will make the port forwarding enteries in you router to allow you macs to connect behind the firewall created by nat addressing.
I am currently having a problem with back to my mac. S
creen shares great the the Lion iMac but Mountain Lion to Mountain on one computer will not connect if the computer is sleeping. It lights the screen on the sleeping computer but never shows on the computer requesting to share. File share always workd. If I wake the computere before I attemp the connection, screen share work as it should. If I try to screen share while the second computer is sleeping, It will never work again until I restart the iMac.

Screen sharing between Lion and Snow Leopard

Does anyone know whether it is possible to do Screen Sharing between two Macs where one is using lion and the other Snow Leopard? I use this feature to help my father with his computer problems but am wary about upgrading my machine to Lion without an assurance that it will work across OS's. He is in Europe where I believe Lion a) may not yet have been released and b) think it unlikely anyway that I will be able to encourage him to change something he is already finding difficult (aged 84) having never had to use a computer prior to 3 years ago at my behest.

after reading your post, i thought i'd do the same on my lion machine -- toggle screen sharing off and back on -- only to discover that it was *already* off, although it was positively enabled on the same machine when running snow leopard.
i never disabled it, as i use the feature quite regularly, which is why it never occurred to me to check the sharing settings, because i always leave screen sharing on. but apparently installing lion either caused the setting to revert, or it's possible lion simply installs with screen-sharing off by default. (who knows.)
regardless -- a simple fix.
thanks.

Screen Sharing between Lion and SL?

I was about to purchase the new Mini Server but saw that it has Lion pre-installed. So I assume it won't run under Snow Leopard, which would have been my preference. As my other machines are all running SL and having no plans to change this soon, I am wondering of screen sharing would work between my MacPro (OS 10.6.8) and the Mini (OS 10.7).
Does anybody have experience with such a setup?
Thanks.

I will try it and see later but it will be this evening, (about 10 hours from now). FYI, mine are both all but standard Macs on a standard network. The Pro is wired the mini wireless. I have nothing like Remote Desktop installed.
If I don't reply, send me a message later. I may have forgotten.

Home Sharing between Mac and PC

So I have Home Sharing enabled on both my Mac and PC, and signed into both with the same apple ID.
From my pc, i have installed the latest version of Itunes, and on my mac I have the latest version of Itunes.
I can access my library on my mac from the PC, but I cannot see any of the things located below.
When prompted, enter your Apple ID and password.Note: Be sure to use the same Apple ID when enabling Home Sharing on all computers you intend to share with.
Click Turn On Home Sharing.
Use the above steps to enable Home Sharing on additional computers on your home network.
Setting up Automatic Transfer
Automatic Transfer can transfer your newly-purchased apps, books, music, TV shows, and movie purchases to your other computers set up for Home Sharing.To automatically transfer content between computers, click the Settings button in the lower-right while viewing a Home Share and select which content to transfer. Automatic transfer of iTunes Store content is off by default.
Note: The Settings and Import button aren't present if you're using Music Sharing, which is different from Home Sharing.
Automatic transfer applies to new purchases from the iTunes Store whenever they are made. However, updates aren't transferred (such as those from the App Store).
Automatic transfer only applies to iTunes Store content you purchase or download after enabling Home Sharing.
Previously downloaded or non-iTunes Store content can only be manually transferred. It may be necessary to authorize iTunes Store content for playback on other computers.
Audiobooks purchased through the iTunes Store can be automatically or manually transferred.
Home Sharing can't transfer or stream audiobook content purchased from Audible.com. SeeAudible.com for assistance in using their content on multiple computers.
In addition, rentals from the iTunes Store can't be streamed or transferred to another computer using Home Sharing.
Home Sharing tips
The best way to avoid duplication is to use the Show menu located in the lower-left corner. Choose "Items not in my library" before transferring any content.
I do not have a drop down menu in the Home Sharing window, and also cannot choose items not in my library.
MY question is, how do I copy my purchases from Itunes from my mac to my pc????
Step by step please.

Hi clissmann,
It sounds like you simply wish to have your purchases on both your Mac and your PC. You can accomplish this by accessing your past purchases using the information in the following article:
Download past purchases - Apple Support
http://support.apple.com/en-us/ht2519
Take care, and thanks for visiting the Apple Support Communities.
Cheers,
Braden

Home Sharing Between MAC and PC Problem

Hello all,
I am having an issue with home sharing between my iMac and PC. Here is the setup:
IBM x61 tablet with Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit- I run itunes and see the iMac's itunes library just fine and can import perfectly
iMac with Snow Leopard- iTunes can see the IBM's library but can't load the library; it gets hung up. Also, the icon next to the library from the x61 is a music symbol and not the home icon so I know something is wrong. I have tried everything in the troubleshooting section of the apple support page besides opening the ports. It seemed to have happened witht the latest iTumes update.
Should I try port forwarding? I use a d-link 815 router and have avira anti-virus. Has anyone had success with windows 7 firewall and the ports?
Any other suggestions? Thanks in advance.
Diggs

I'm not 100% sure of the terminology used by Windows or any other Windows firewall programs but in essence what you want to do is allow those port to pass through. Forwarding sounds correct to me. Do you only have one firewall active? I know Windows has its own built-in firewall and some security software also install firewalls and I know some people don't realize that they are running two and should turn one of them off. Not sure if you amy be running into that problem.
Here is a thread where someone shows what they did with their firewall settings to get things to work.
https://discussions.apple.com/message/16495919#16495919
Also, I wrote this for someone else. It explains how sharing in iTunes works. Maybe it can help you to troubleshoot your problem.
Home Sharing is enabled by selecting Home Sharing from the 'Advanced' menu (see screen shot below) and entering your Apple ID and password. Home Sharing allows unrestricted access to the shared iTunes library from computers on the network as well as from iOS devices. Home Sharing is required for access by iOS devices, they do not work with Library Sharing. Home sharing also allows you to copy media from one computer to another, something you can't do with Library Sharing. Home Sharing overrides Library Sharing if both are enabled.
Library Sharing is enable by selecting 'Share my library on my local network' in iTunes Preference (see screen shot below.) Library Sharing does not work with iOS devices. Library Sharing only allows for the playback of media from shared libraries. You cannot copy media from one computer to another using Library Sharing. The 'Status:' indicator will display a count of the number of computers that are connected to your library using Library Sharing. Home Sharing connections will not be indicated here. You can also restrict who can connect to your library using a password. This password restriction has no affect on Home Sharing connections. They are authorized and controlled by the use of Apple IDs.
How to tell if you are connecting to a library shared by Home Sharing or Library Sharing (see screen shot below.) A Home Sharing library icon looks like a house with a musical note on the side. A Library Sharing icon looks like a stack of CDs with a musical note on top. They are both labeled by the name of the shared library as configured in iTunes Preferences.
I think I've covered everything and hope this helps people understand the difference between the two types of shared libraries and how to configure each.

Internet sharing between Mac and Windows XP

I am trying to establish an airport wireless network with a Powermac G5 desktop and a Dell laptop with Windows XP, but have been unable to establish even an open network, let alone a secure WEP network. The laptop recognizes the network and ostensibly establishes a connection, but the browser (I've tried both Firefox and Explorer) is unable to connect to any webpages. Any ideas?
Thanks,
David

OK, let's find the IP of the Airport on the Mac and the IP on the PC's connection.
Find IP on computers...
http://www.helpdesk.umd.edu/topics/communication/ethernet/office/winxp/2882/
Hopefully Macs Airport will be like x.x.2.1, and the PC x.x.2.x+1
We aren't do File Sharing or Windows Sharing at the same time are we?
You didn't create a Computer to Computer Airport Network on the Mac and are connecting to that are you?

Screen sharing between server and iMac appears to connect but no window opens

We have been trying to screen share between a server and iMac. Both are running Snow Leopard 10.6.7. It seems like we connect using the share screen app because we don't get any error messages after inputing the username and password but no window opens for the server we are connected to. When I look under the windows tab I can see a checkmark next to our server name and trying 'bring all to front' doesn't do anything. The video card on the server died and was removed by our tech support who said we could still access the computer via screen sharing. Would the server not having a video card be the cause of our problem?
Thanks.

Hi,
A Bit for other reading this thread.
To change the Login port for any AIM based name you have to obviously Log out first and then Change the port (SSL might need to be selected first) and then Press Enter to "Set" the port.
This use of the Enter key is the bit that is different to earlier versions of iChat.
For Gary,
Which Thomson-Alcatel device do you have ?
Thomson-Alcatel Speedtouches used to work well when the firmware that ran them was at Version 4.2.5 or less.
At least at this level you could access the device via Terminal using Telnet and then access the Command Line Interface (CLI) and "Unbind" SIP from port 5060
Later versions of their Firmware did not allow for a full Unbind of SIP and Video and Audio chats could only be partially successful (about 15 buddies out a list of 50
Of course using UPnP to open ports for iChat 4 helps with the Screen Sharing as the process is an Screen Share with an Audio Chat along side and both have to work/connect.
I am surprised to hear that in iChat 5 that Screen Sharing is not working when Video and Audio chats are.
For this reason I would ask how the ports have been opened in the Thomson device ?
After that I would keen to know if the Thomson Device or the Time Capsule is doing DHCP to the LAN ?
(Share an IP on the Time capsule is to Enable DHCP)
I am not sure how AT&T expect anyone to use their site to gain help or see what they currently offer when you have to type in a phone number or area (ZIP code).
I did enter the example number and got to this set of pages http://www.att.com/esupport/main.jsp?cv=801#
I see no reference to any Thomson-Alcatel device.
8:15 PM Monday; February 15, 2010
Please, if posting Logs, do not post any Log info after the line "Binary Images for iChat"

File sharing between Mac and PC CS5

While our graphic designer, who uses a Mac, is on maternity leave, I am doing whatever graphics-type work we have on my work PC. I have CS5 and so does the Mac (I have checked multiple times, we both have CS5; NOT CS5.5 on either machine). I cannot open many of her InDesign files because it says that I don't have some of the same plug-ins. I have tried just copying her plug-ins, but an error occurs when I try to copy them. I realize some things may be missing, but I should at least be able to open those files. We am I missing? Or will upgrading both to CS5.5 solve this problem?
This is very frustrating as I can't really get anything done moving around between offices and computers all day; this is why we have a shared drive system. Please let me know what we can do.

If in doubt about an InDesign document version, you can use my IDentify script: http://forums.adobe.com/message/4071273#4071273 (if only to make absolutely sure these files are, in fact, '5 files, and not '5.5s).
It's strange & somewhat worrying that your InDesign won't update -- the latest version is 7.0.4 and that's what the updater ought to install. HOWEVER, I do not believe InDesign would refuse to load a document from an updated version. That just can't be right.
So, please try my little script. Just in case this co-worker happened to have the newer version somewhere at home, or something like that.

Asking for permission when screen sharing between MBP and Mini?

Hi Guys,
Like many others I have a mini connected to the TV, and use that as my media center, all music, movie, pictures, etc. is shown thrue the mini.
After upgrading to Lion I cannot use screen sharing as before, where I just connected to the mini, and voila I had the full control. Now it seems I have to accept the screen sharing request!?!? Is there a way around this, I surely hope so, because otherwise it will defeat the purpose of my mini! I mean, I have no mouse or keyboard attached to it obviously!
I hope there is an answer to this
Best regards
Viktor

Viktorrrrr,
It appears that Screen Sharing is a bit "buggy" in this first release of Lion.
Having said that, I have managed to get mine working and it is possible to have screen sharing without the approval prompt - the key is that you need to connect using the same account that is already logged on at the machine you're connecting to. So, in your case, after you click "Share Screen..." on your MBP, you should enter the account name and password that matches the account currently logged on your Mac Mini.
This should be fine if the account currently logged on your Mac Mini is allowed to do Screen Sharing (see the list of users in the "Allow access for:" section of the "Sharing--->Screen Sharing" system prefs).
If this works for you, stop reading here!
However, if (like me) you log on locally to your Mac Mini with a Standard account, but only allow Administrators to connect to the Mac Mini via Screen Sharing, then you have some extra work to do because, as you know, when you connect via Screen Sharing with one account in order to view the screen of another logged-on account on the Mac Mini, you get the prompt asking for permission. There does not appear to be an option to switch off this behaviour and, I suspect, this behaviour will remain due to privacy/security issues. So, if you want to avoid this prompt, you are going to have to log in using the same account. And to do this, you will need to allow this account to Screen Share.
The quick way to enable this would be to choose the option to "Allow access for: All users" on your Mac Mini - this would then allow your account (and ALL others!) to connect via Screen Sharing. But you really don't want to enable this if you can help it. Much better, would be to create a new local group on your Mac Mini called something like "Screen Share" and populate this group with all the accounts you want to be allowed to connect via Screen Sharing.
To create and populate a new group:-
Go to the "Users & Groups" system pref and click the + below the list of users to bring up the "New Account" window. Where you see the pull-down menu that says "Standard", click on this and select "Group". Enter your new group name and click "Create Group". The new group will be created and you can then select the accounts you want to include in this group (ie. the accounts you want to allow to connect via Screen Sharing) in the "Membership" section - just tick the boxes of the ones you want.
Now go back to the "Sharing-->Screen Sharing" system pref. Where it says "Allow access for:", click the "Only these users:". Now click the + below the list to bring up a window of all users. Make sure "Users & Groups" is selected in the left pane, then click on your newly-created group in the right pane and click "Select".
Sadly, this is where the real bugs seem to be!! When I try to permission my group for access, more often than not, my selected group is not added to the list of allowed access. I have played with this for hours, clicking various options in various sequences, but have not found a pattern. Even when my selected group does get added successfully, I sometimes find access is still not granted to that group and its members!!
I'm afraid it seems to be trial and error at the moment - I guess a fix will come eventually, but for now you just need to keep adding the group, removing it, turning Screen Sharing on then off then on again, try adding again...etc! I CAN tell you that I did eventually get my group to stick and work as intended, so it is possible...but it will take time!
Sorry for the lengthy response. Good luck!
C.

Why does Screen Sharing between Macs no longer work?

Just recently many of my Mac computers have stopped Screen Sharing with each other. I cannot think of any reason why this would begin happening. These computers are 'system critical' computers so I haven't updated to Mavericks yet. One is an iMac running OS X 10.8 and the other is a Mac Mini running 10.7. Any clues?

This could be something as simple as a bad Router Port. Try switching the Ethernet cable on one of the effected Macs to a port that you know is working. When I was running computer labs, bad ports were a commmon issue. If that doen't work we will move on to other possible solutions.

No screen sharing between Leopard and Snow Leopard

A buddy just bought a new 27 inch iMac after the screen on his old iMac (running Leopard) died. We had no problems screen sharing when he was using the old Mac, but with the new iMac running Snow Leopard, he can screen share with me but I can't screen share with him....at least, iChat says I am sharing my screen with him, but he can't see anything. It must be an issue with Snow Leopard, since when he opened iChat on his MacBook running 10.5, he was immediately able to view my screen.
Any thoughts, anyone? Cheers!!!

Hi,
A Bit for other reading this thread.
To change the Login port for any AIM based name you have to obviously Log out first and then Change the port (SSL might need to be selected first) and then Press Enter to "Set" the port.
This use of the Enter key is the bit that is different to earlier versions of iChat.
For Gary,
Which Thomson-Alcatel device do you have ?
Thomson-Alcatel Speedtouches used to work well when the firmware that ran them was at Version 4.2.5 or less.
At least at this level you could access the device via Terminal using Telnet and then access the Command Line Interface (CLI) and "Unbind" SIP from port 5060
Later versions of their Firmware did not allow for a full Unbind of SIP and Video and Audio chats could only be partially successful (about 15 buddies out a list of 50
Of course using UPnP to open ports for iChat 4 helps with the Screen Sharing as the process is an Screen Share with an Audio Chat along side and both have to work/connect.
I am surprised to hear that in iChat 5 that Screen Sharing is not working when Video and Audio chats are.
For this reason I would ask how the ports have been opened in the Thomson device ?
After that I would keen to know if the Thomson Device or the Time Capsule is doing DHCP to the LAN ?
(Share an IP on the Time capsule is to Enable DHCP)
I am not sure how AT&T expect anyone to use their site to gain help or see what they currently offer when you have to type in a phone number or area (ZIP code).
I did enter the example number and got to this set of pages http://www.att.com/esupport/main.jsp?cv=801#
I see no reference to any Thomson-Alcatel device.
8:15 PM Monday; February 15, 2010
Please, if posting Logs, do not post any Log info after the line "Binary Images for iChat"

File sharing between Macs and PCs

I'm not able to properly network a Mac and a PC laptop in my office. The Mac is running 10.4.9, the PC is running XP Service Pack 2. Here's what I'm doing:
I right-click on a Windows folder. On the "Sharing" tab I click on "Share this folder on the network."
I go over to the Mac. I try to browse the network; the PC doesn't show up. I type command-K, type in smb://[my PC name] into the box. A dialog box pops up indicating that it's trying to connect, but nothing happens.
Similarly, if I turn on Windows File Sharing on the Mac and try to go the other way (access the Mac from the PC), that doesn't work either.
What am I doing wrong?
Thanks very much.
G5 Dual 2.5 GHz Mac OS X (10.4.8)

I am having a similar problem getting onto a Windows network with my Mac.
I select Finder/Go/Connect to server...
I then enter my server's address, and click on the "connect" button. I get the "connecting to server" dialog box. Then I get the "SMB/CIFS File System Authentication" dialog box. The "Workgroup or Domain" box already is filed in with the proper name, so it appears to me that I have made contact with the server. The "name" box shows up filled in with my .mac name, so I delete it and type in my Windows user name. I then fill in my Windows password, and click on the "OK" button.
Then the "connecting to server" dialog box reads "could not connect to the server because the name or password is incorrect."
I am using the same name and password that I use when I get on the netowrk with my Dell. In fact, I will plug the ethernet cable into my Dell and get onto the network. I then log off, switch the cable to my MacBook Pro, and I cannot get on.
Any thoughts on why the server is sending my MacBook Pro the "wrong name or password" message, but letting my Dell on?
MacBook Pro Mac OS X (10.4.9)

Has anyone tried home sharing between mac and windows using parallels on the same machine?

I recently purchased a mac, and plan to set up parallels for windows and windows 7 so that I can use the Windows version of Over Drive Media Console from the library and download WMA files in windows (limitation with mac version for wma downloads). I would like to synch to iTunes on the Mac iOS, but will need iTunes available in Windows to transfer the books I download in WMA format from the library to my iphone. Has anyone tried this? Any success or suggestions would be appreciated!

In case anyone is interested, last night I installed Paralells, Windows, Overdrive Media Console on Windows, and then was able to download my book in WMA format. I was hoping parallels would allow me to crossover sync to iTunes on the Mac and have Overdrive recognize that I had iTunes open, but I had to choose Windows or Mac when connecting my phone through the USB and had to choose Windows in order for it to successfully transfer. I was able to get it to work it is now synced to iTunes in Windows. The nice thing was that it pulled in all my music/apps that I had set up in the Mac side, so I didn't have to go through that exercise again. I tested it on my old phone. Now I need to decide if I want to set up my current phone on Windows or Mac, it seems that once synched it only opens the device in windows, I haven't figured out how to force the choice between mac or window again. If I do windows, I can't take advantage of the cloud or iphoto/imovie directly. I'm totally new to mac, but I think I'll have to import my photos manually.

Networking/screen sharing between Mac and PC

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