Weird lost access to iMac's desktop via Airport Extreme wireless LAN

This is weird and complicated. I'll try to keep it simple.
1. Two computers on a wireless LAN via Airport Extreme: G4 Powerbook and 20" G5 iMac. The LAN has worked flawlessly and seamlessly for several years, and except for this ONE anomaly, still does.
2. When logged-in to the iMac from the Powerbook, all its files and contents show up normally in it's networked-drive window in Finder,
3. EXCEPT the desktop. And I mean the real desktop which is under my ID under USERS.
4. Searching the Powerbook from the iMac, however, works just fine and shows all of the Powerbook's contents.
Repairs of Permissions on both computers have accomplished nothing.
There is one other peculiar symptom: there was a .wmv movie file sent me by a friend, and I had a copy of it on the desktops of both computers. It sat there, showed up and ran just fine, until one day something curious happened:
The file would show up in the column-view Finder window of the iMac's desktop when I opened it from the Finder Window, but would, after about a second, disappear!
If I try to import, on the Powerbook, some random file into the iMac's Desktop folder, it appears for a brief second and then the folder once again displays as empty.
I have trashed that wmv file, and yet sometimes its name blinks up on the iMac's desktop list (that is, again, the column view display in the Finder window).
This is profoundly weird.
Oh, and there's nothing changed or weird about the SHARING settings. Personal File Sharing is enabled on both computers, as is Printer Sharing, and itunes music sharing is also enabled. All of these continue to work just fine. Firewall is enabled, but always has been.
Owen

Well, when in doubt try all the obvious things FIRST!
I rank Disk Utility from the install disk, did a disk repair, and, well, Bob's your uncle, and all is fine again. Apparently that ghost file screwed up the count of files (I'm not sure what that means, but it seems consistent with a file that would materialize and then disappear, and screw up display of a folder's contents - the folder it was lurking-in invisibly.
Very peculiar, none the less.
Owen
I'll leave this open for another day, if only to see if someone has an explanation for what may have happened, since that might be useful to others, besides satisfying my own curiosity.

Similar Messages

  • Connecting "older" pc and new iMac desktop via Airport extreme

    Please bear with me...I am a Mac novice. My husband and I just purchased our first mac (iMac 20" desktop)and had it up and running in 2 minutes. We got internet access immediately through the bluetooth (whose signal it is remains a mystery). We purchased the airport extreme to access the internet via our Dell's 2 y/o cable modem (comcast Motorola Surfboard)before we realized we had a hotspot in our house. We also want to use the printer that is connected to our pc with our mac. I cannot get the airport configured at all...I keep getting error messages. The first one that appears says that my wireless interface is not enabled. I went to My Network Places and set up the wirless network using a USB flash drive. I connected it to the airport's USB connection, and then to my iMac. Neither one appeared in the list of devices detected when I reconnected the flashdrive to my pc. I've tried rebooting, disconnecting and then reconnecting both the modem and the aiport from the power supply. Should I reset the airport? Help!!
    iMac 20" desktop   Mac OS X (10.4.8)  

    We got internet access immediately through the bluetooth
    (whose signal it is remains a mystery).
    This is very likely to be a neighbour's wireless or Airport network (not Bluetooth).
    I cannot get the
    airport configured at all...I keep getting error
    messages.
    Don't use the PC to configure the Airport Extreme Base Station, use the iMac, it will be easier.
    The first one that appears says that my
    wireless interface is not enabled.
    You are probably trying to use the Airport Assistant, this will only work on a wireless computer, in order to configure an Airport Extreme Base Station (AEBS) from a wired PC, you need to connect to the AEBS via the LAN port and then use the Airport Admin Utility.
    Connecting a XP PC to a Airport Network via the LAN port of the AEBS
    http://www.ifelix.co.uk/tech/1007.html
    However still configure the AEBS via the iMac.
    I went to My
    Network Places and set up the wirless network using a
    USB flash drive. I connected it to the airport's
    USB connection, and then to my iMac. Neither one
    appeared in the list of devices detected when I
    reconnected the flashdrive to my pc.
    That Microsoft wireless process only works with other Windows PCs, it won't work with a Mac or the AEBS.
    I've tried
    rebooting, disconnecting and then reconnecting both
    the modem and the aiport from the power supply.
    Try using the Mac to configure the Airport network using the Assistant.
    Should I reset the airport?
    You may need to, but sounds like you haven't managed to configure it, so it will still be in the default state.
    We also want to use the printer that is
    connected to our pc with our mac.
    Printing to a printer on a XP PC from a Mac running 10.4.x
    http://www.ifelix.co.uk/tech/3015.html

  • Another slow internet connection via Airport Extreme wireless thread

    Has anyone actually solved this mystery? The last substantial thread I came across regarding this subject ended with a solution using a dell wireless driver. That ended somewhere in December. Any solutions, tips?

    I seem to have found a fix, thanks to Michael G. Noll (http://www.michael-noll.com/blog/2006/07/24/intel-imac-wireless-connection-slowd own-with-wpatkip/).
    I switched to WAP Personal from WEP and my iMac is now able to connect via wifi from a router in another room, and at normal speeds! Thanks Mike! I hope it lasts. I also changed my routers channel and made it static instead of automatic, but I don't think this had anything to do with the fix (though it may have solved my MacBooks problem of dropping the connection for a second every minute or 2).
    I still have the problem of having to manually select my network after start-up and wake-up, however. It does not turn on automatically.
    (Brand new Intel Duo iMac and 1-yr old Intel Duo MacBook)

  • Win XP does not print via Canon MP970 via Airport Extreme

    OK, I bought a Canon MP970 printer and hooked it up to the airport extreme, changed all of the ports to 10.0.1.1 on my XP, shared the printer, ran Bonjour, ran airport utility, and everything I know how to do. I can print from my Powerbook G4 and from a new black macbook that I just bought on my network. Problem is I cannot print from my windows XP PC. Very frustrating. It did work fine with my HP printer; that is print from my laptops AND my PC desktop via airport extreme. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

    OK, I kept working at it and seemed to have fixed the problem. I finally just redirected the port to a local one "9101"and not the 10.0.1.1 and began working. I am not sure what I did definitively to make it work. And I just installed the latest printer drivers into my PB G4 and new blackbook and worked. I really just need to trash the PC and go with Apple but you know.......wife.....$$$$$, etc....

  • I have a Free Agent external backup hard drive connected to my iMac Intel desktop via USB.  Why do I get an error message, from time to time, upon startup stating: "disk was disconnected improperly, always eject disk before disconnecting"?

    I have a Free Agent external backup hard drive connected to my iMac Intel desktop via USB, I never unplug it.  Why do I get an error message, from time to time, upon startup stating, "Disk was disconnected improperly.  Always eject disk before disconnecting."?

    I never unplug the external harddrive, and the error message comes up only occassionaly upon startup.  Maybe the USB connection gets disrupted enough to cause the computer to see it as disconnected and then reconnected while the iMac is powered.

  • Finder freezes when attempting to access a "shared" external hard drive (wireless via Airport Extreme)

    Finder freezes.   As soon as I click onto my "shared" external hard drive (3TB WD - wireless via Airport Extreme), finder immediately freezes / eternally spinning beach ball (until I restart finder).  Can still access wirelessly on another Mac (not on Yosemite).
    Please help!

    Ok - for a while there, the hard drive would not come up on the desktop - but now on a re-boot of the compter, or if I disconnect the hard drive and re-connect it, a message comes up with three buttons which say:
    Initialize
    Ignore
    Eject
    Sound like the hard drive has died?

  • 2 Computers Cannot Access Internet Via Airport Extreme at the same time!

    I recently purchased two new computers -- a Macbook Pro (for myself) and a Macbook (for my wife). My Macbook Pro arrived first, and connected to the wireless network via Airport Extreme with no problem. Once my wife's computer arrived, and we would connect to the network with her computer, every time she accesses the network it basically "boots" my computer from the network. It still says I'm "connected" to it, but no programs/browsers/etc. that use the internet will actually work and it behaves as though there is no network connected at all. In the mean time, her Macbook continues to operate as normal and never seems to get "booted" by my Macbook Pro. Is the network thinking our two computers are the same computer? Or, what is the problem? PLEASE HELP!

    I have had the same problem with my iMac and MacBook, both on leopard and with a new AEBS. With the additional symptom that internet connection will drop on either machine individually, with the other powered off. I also tried a Time Capsule, with exactly the same results. But I have observed what is described here. Internet connection is fine on one machine, then drops and I find the other machine working for awhile, until it drops. Just ping-ponging back and forth.
    Since I am seeing the same problem in two new Macs with an AEBS and TC, it's hard to say that there a problem specifically with any one of them. I suspect that my problem is interference, or electrical noise when using 802.11n. The only thing that worked for me is "802.11b/g compatible" mode.
    In another post, it was suggested that the AEBS was interacting with Digital cable TV/internet, potentially causing an electrical noise issue. What kind of service to you have?

  • How do I access external hard drive connected to AirPort Extreme via iPad

    Hello,
    How do I access external hard drive connected to AirPort Extreme via iPad / windows laptop.
    I donot have a Mac and I use windows laptop.

    For your iPad, you will need an app, like FileBrowser, to access the external drive.
    For your Windows laptop, you would access the drive like any other network share. The basic format is: \\<servername>\<sharename>, where, in this case, the servername is the base station name and the sharename is the name of the external drive.

  • Migrate from minimac (G4) to new iMac via airport extreme

    I have a brand new iMac and I have the latest airport extreme.
    I have my old miniMac and all are linked up through the Airport Extreme.
    I want to transfer all of my old files from my G4 miniMac to my new iMac but the Migration Assistant says I have to use (buy) a firewire cable.
    How do I transfer my files from my old computer (miniMac) to the new iMac via airport extreme?

    sorry to say but its the firewire technique which Migration Asst. uses. It does not migrate over Ethernet.. its actually very simple...
    you put your G4 into target disk mode. You put the iMac into migration asst., attach the cable and the migration (file copying) begins after you chose to proceed.
    The reality is firewire is faster than most standard ethernet anyway... and wireless? it would take an extraordinary amount of time.
    Will
    Message was edited by: Willard Kramer

  • Cannot print from IMac or Dell Latitude Laptop on Canon MX330 printer via Airport Extreme.

    Trying to connect a Canon MX330 printer to an IMac and Dell Latitude laptop via Airport extreme and having no luck.
    All devices recognize the printer, but when I try to print from the IMac it says that the printer is offline, even though it is not. The printer status on the IMac says offline until I clear the printer queue and then the status goes online.
    When I try to print from the Dell laptop the printer reacts, but nothing prints.
    I have run through all of the troubleshooting in the support section online. Any advice?

    Unfortunately, not all USB printers are compatible with AirPort base stations. In addition, the  AirPort's USB port does not support the "advanced" printer functions, like scanning, copying or faxing, of multi-function printers. 
    To see if your printer is compatible, take a look at thisiFelix Unofficial AirPort Printer Compatibility link. If your printer isn't listed, it doesn't necessarily mean it won't work, but simply that it has not been verified. iFelix also provides the following workaround for printers not on the list that would certainly be worth a try.
    Also you can try this Apple Tech Support article to see if it will help: Printer troubleshooting for AirPort Base Stations and Time Capsule
    Finally, check out this IBM support article to see if your printer is listed as having a Postscript or PCL3 interface. If it does, then it will most likely work with the AirPort's USB port. Printers that use the "HP LIDIL" interface must be connected to a computer directly and will not work.

  • Printing problems with HP 1012 connected via Airport Extreme - resolved?

    I originally posted on this issue in a long-running discussion on HP printer issues.
    http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=10109788#10109788
    Problem: Upgraded iMac 10.4.11 to 10.6 Following upgrade everything seemed fine except that the HP 1012 connected via Airport Extreme was not responsive. The system knew the printer was there, had installed the proper driver for it.
    Intermediate troubleshooting: I tried to use Airport Utility to check the AE. It timed-out when trying to retrieve the AE setup specifications. I tried to update the firmware (7.4.1 to 7.4.2); system timed-out after a very long several minute "search for new version of the firmware."
    Apparent solution: (any of the following may have made the difference - sorry not to have been more systematic)
    a. I turned off AP on the iMac.
    b. I unplugged the AE base station for one minute+, then re-powered it.
    c. I opened my MBP with 10.5.7. Started up Airport Utility.
    d. I renamed the base station. Left all other settings alone.
    e. I installed the 7.4.2 firmware upgrade.
    f. I ran Preference Repairs on the iMac (though I had done this right after installation of 10.6)
    g. I turned on AP on the iMac.
    Result: Almost immediate connection to AP, printer quickly began printing several of the test documents that must have been waiting in queue.
    Too early to tell if I will have any further problems if if it permanently fixed.
    Thanks to the several messages in both Printer and Network categories that suggested one or more of the above steps.
    Stan

    I hooked up my wife's Deskjet 5150 to my mac via USB. Since the 5150 does not have a driver from HP to work in SL. I decided to us the generic Gutenprint v5.2.3. For the heck-of-it, I picked, HP Deskjet 5550-Gutenprint v5.2.3. It prints. and the utility works, BTW, I am low on black ink.
    I also tried the other printer drivers labeled "any printer name"-Gutenprint v5.2.3. and they all worked with the 5150.
    So now that I know that the 5150's will work via USB with SL, I will now upgrade the other two laptops in my house to SL.
    How to:
    Turn printer on.
    open System pref/ printer-fax/ add printer
    Select hp desktop 5100
    (name: -- Change name if you want - I kept " hp deskjet 5100"
    Location: Your computer
    Print Using: open dropdown box, select printer software. Type in: " Gutenprint" or "deskjet". I picked the HP Deskjet 5550-gutenprint v5.2.3. but I do not think it matters as long as it is a -gutenprint v5.2.3 driver.
    Select OK

  • IMac does not see Airport Extreme Base Station wirelessly

    Trying to use my existing PC hooked up to Airport Extreme BS via ethernet cable, which works fine. I then open Airport Utility on my iMac and it scans for wireless devices but it can't see the AEBS (located beside it). Opening Base Station tab and there are no solid headers to click on, just the soft grey headers. I am fairly new to Apple product so if I've left any info out to further troubleshoot please let me know.
    Eventually I would like to connect my Apple TV, located downstairs, wirelessly as well as use an Airport Express (wirelessly) to boost the signal if need be due to concrete walls and floors in construction of house.
    I have OS X Version 10.5.8 (up to date), Intel, Airport Extreme Wireless Card.
    Thanks for any help out there.

    Bob - Thanks so much for your quick reply. I followed your suggestions and, to go into perhaps unnecessary detail, I'll write what I did. I completely disconnected the Airport Extreme Base Station (AEBS) from my computer. I disabled Windows Firewall, uninstalled my anti-virus program, and uninstalled Airport Utility and Bonjour, recycled by cable modem (took out the battery and unplugged it for about 20 seconds), then restarted my computer. After the computer booted up, I verified that windows firewall was disabled, reinstalled Airport Utility and Bonjour, then reconnected the cable connecting the AEBS to the computer (to one of the three ethernet ports, and I tried each of them in case one was faulty) but not to the cable modem as my firewall was disabled and had no anti-virus software. I also reconnected the AEBS power chord. I opened the newly reinstalled Airport Utility software and it did not find the base station. Only when I used "configure other" was I able to access the AEBS. I recycled the modem again, but that did not help. I turned on the firewall, installed anti-virus software, connected the AEBS to the modem, the light turned green, and I was able to access the internet on the primary computer and the wireless network gave me internet access on my laptops. But I was still not able to have my main computer, the one directly connected to the AEBS able to see it, and configure it, without utilizing "configure other."
    Also, any idea why one of my laptops can only access the "guest" network? When it attempts to connect to the primary network it will stay on "acquiring network address" for what seems a few minutes, then switch to the "guest" network and connect immediately.
    Any help would be greatly appreciated.

  • Internet connection via Airport Extreme/router thats not working, why?

    I have been having problems with the internet connection via Airport Extreme which I find it a bit unusual and its still driving me nuts! This is what happened:
    I have lost my internet connection last Sunday evening upon my return from a weekend away from home. The last time I have used the internet connection on my macbook was the previous Friday morning. Prior to the apparent disconnection on Sunday, I have always used my internet connection wirelessly through Airport Extreme (that is connected via ethernet cable to the NETGEAR DG834v2 ADSL modem which had worked beautifully until the problem arose on my return). This wireless internet connection allowed me to surf the internet anywhere in my home.
    However, upon the successful re-connection to the internet via the modem router, I have discovered several new problems. I have tried to set up the internet connection wirelessly again but instead the following happened:
    1. Router (Netgear) drops ADSL connection and cannot reconnect when connected to airport via Ethernet. (which is the case when using airport wireless).
    2. Router connects to ADSL fine when computer is connected to it via Ethernet. (However, router disconnects when magsafe power adapter is taken out for some inexplicable reason!)
    3. Router connects to ADSL fine when nothing is connected to the router (ie. No Ethernet connections)
    4. Router connects to ADSL fine when connected to airport via Ethernet and computer is connected to airport via Ethernet.
    So from the above, I cannot connect to the internet properly whether wirelessly or not so I suspect it could be faulty router or could it be airport extreme? I have asked my ISP for an explanation and all they have said is that it cannot be the mis-configuration but could be to do with the power adaptors or the way plugs are set up and suggested I take out all the power plugs (and power surge protector) out to switch everything off, the macbook, router, printer and airport extreme. However, when I have re-plugged them all back in, the problems I have described above still persists!
    Would appreciate any help if anyone here recognises why this is the case and what seems to be the cause of this. If so, what should I do? Though I have written back to my ISP again yesterday for more help so im waiting to hear from them...
    Thanks
    u2dougal

    I have been having problems with the internet connection via Airport Extreme which I find it a bit unusual and its still driving me nuts! This is what happened:
    I have lost my internet connection last Sunday evening upon my return from a weekend away from home. The last time I have used the internet connection on my macbook was the previous Friday morning. Prior to the apparent disconnection on Sunday, I have always used my internet connection wirelessly through Airport Extreme (that is connected via ethernet cable to the NETGEAR DG834v2 ADSL modem which had worked beautifully until the problem arose on my return). This wireless internet connection allowed me to surf the internet anywhere in my home.
    However, upon the successful re-connection to the internet via the modem router, I have discovered several new problems. I have tried to set up the internet connection wirelessly again but instead the following happened:
    1. Router (Netgear) drops ADSL connection and cannot reconnect when connected to airport via Ethernet. (which is the case when using airport wireless).
    2. Router connects to ADSL fine when computer is connected to it via Ethernet. (However, router disconnects when magsafe power adapter is taken out for some inexplicable reason!)
    3. Router connects to ADSL fine when nothing is connected to the router (ie. No Ethernet connections)
    4. Router connects to ADSL fine when connected to airport via Ethernet and computer is connected to airport via Ethernet.
    So from the above, I cannot connect to the internet properly whether wirelessly or not so I suspect it could be faulty router or could it be airport extreme? I have asked my ISP for an explanation and all they have said is that it cannot be the mis-configuration but could be to do with the power adaptors or the way plugs are set up and suggested I take out all the power plugs (and power surge protector) out to switch everything off, the macbook, router, printer and airport extreme. However, when I have re-plugged them all back in, the problems I have described above still persists!
    Would appreciate any help if anyone here recognises why this is the case and what seems to be the cause of this. If so, what should I do? Though I have written back to my ISP again yesterday for more help so im waiting to hear from them...
    Thanks
    u2dougal

  • How do I access my hard drive connected to airport extreme?

    I've already imported video to my hard drive. I had it previously connected via firewire. It's there in an imovie 08. However, when I open up imovie in the "Event Library" panel, my hard drive has a yellow triangle with an exclamation point on it. Does anyone know how I can access this?
    Do I have to choose "import" first and then copy the movie back into imovie? I think this would defeat the purpose of storing the footage on the external drive, right? I'm trying to make my first movie, so please be gentle if this is an easy question to answer. It's throwing me for a loop right now.
    Thanks again!

    sorry, the hard drive is connected via USB to my airport extreme. Here's how i can look at the files:
    Macintosh HD, under "shared" i select my hard drive, open it and then click on imovie events, then i can access the 19 different folders which contain multiple clips in each folder, along with an imovie thumbs file etc.
    However, in imovie when create a new project, then click on import, it will ask me where i want to save the files, and on the drop down arrow, the only choice is my macintosh HD and I can't choose anything else. I really don't want to save them to my computer's hard drive if i don't have to. It seems there should be an easier way to do this, but i'm overlooking something. I just want to be able to make a movie with the clips that are already saved on my hard drive which is connected via airport extreme. Thanks again!

  • HT4628 I recently transferred my internet service to another state. Have not yet moved my imac, just my pc laptop. I cannot get my airport extreme wireless router to work. The green light stays lit when everything is connected but I can't connect to the i

    I recently transferred my internet service to another state.I have not yet moved my imac, just my pc laptop. I cannot get my airport extreme wireless router to work. The green light stays lit when everything is connected but I can't connect to the internet. Any suggestions?

    I would recommend that you do the following as a minimum:
    Power-down the modem, AirPort base station, and computer(s).
    Power-up the modem; wait at least 10-15 minutes to allow it adequate time to initialize.
    Power-up the AirPort base station; wait at least 5-10 minutes. Note: The AirPort's status light may continue to flash amber after it has intialized. That is because, there may be some additional configuration items necessary, like setting up wireless security, before the overall setup is completed to get a green status.
    Power-up your computer(s).
    If the above steps do not solve the problem, start over with step 1 above, but then perform the next steps between steps 1 & 2. above.
    Disconnect the AirPort base station from the Internet broadband modem.
    While all of the devices are powered-down, perform a "factory default" reset on the base station. This will get it back to its "out-of-the-box" configuration and make setting it up much easier, especially if you use the "Assist me" process within the AirPort Utility. (ref: Resetting an AirPort Base Station or Time Capsule)
    After the base station resets, go ahead and power it back down.
    Reconnect the AirPort base station to the Internet broadband modem. For the Extreme and Time Capsule, be sure to connect the cable to the base station's WAN (circle-of-dots) port.
    Continue with step 2 in the first set of steps.
    In this basic configuration, the AirPort base station will broadcast an unsecured wireless network with a Network Name (SSID) of Apple Network NNNNNN. Network clients, connected to the base station either by wire or wireless, should now be able to access the Internet through the ISP's modem. Once Internet connectivity has been verified, you can use the AirPort Utility to configure the base station for wireless security and any other desired options. Please post back your results.

Maybe you are looking for