Mac OS X/Windows Vista file sharing, printer sharing issues: fixes

It appears that there are some issues with file sharing between Mac OS X and Windows Vista systems. Several users are reporting problems with seeing shared files in both directions via Samba (SMB) networking. Users are also reporting issues with previously used (under Windows XP) printer sharing methods.

MacFixIt reader Chic writes:

"My Windows XP and Mac OS X have networked well for years. 

"As soon as I upgraded to Vista Home Premium, I can see the Mac OS X computers in the workgroup but can not access the files.

"On the Mac OS X side, I can mount the Vista Home drive but all of the folders are empty except for the Public folder. I have sharing 'on' on both machines and my passwords, etc are correct."

Logging into a Mac OS X system from a Vista system In order to login to a Mac OS X system from a Vista system, follow these steps:

1. Open System Preferences on the Mac OS X system and go to the Sharing pane.
2. Click on the "Services" tab
3. Check the box next to "Windows Sharing"
4. Click on the "Enable Accounts" button
5. Check the box(es) next to the Mac OS X user account(s) you would like to enable access for, and enter the appropriate password(s).
6. Take note of your Mac's IP address, which will be displayed at the bottom of the Sharing pane in System Preferences
7. On the Windows Vista system, go to the "Run" command line by pressing the "Windows Key" and the R key simultaneously
8. Enter the following: IPAddressusername (e.g. 192.168.1.100bwilson)
9. You should now be prompted for a username and password. Enter the aforementioned (IPAddressusername) again for the username after receiving the prompt, and your normal password.

Another option (or necessary procedure) is to autorize sue of LM and NTLM - use NTLMV2 session security in Windows Vista.

As described by Apple Discussions poster ydc:

"Actually you will need to make a change on your Vista machine to enable this, but you can do it without the Group Policy editor or the Security Policy editor.

"To do it:

1. "Click Windows Visa Start Orb
2. In search box, type "regedit" and return
3. Once regedit opens, click File -> export to make a backup copy
4. Navigate to ComputerHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetControlLsa.
5. In the right pane, right-click the "LmCompatibilityLevel" key and select "modify"
6. Change the value from 3 to 1
7. Exit regedit and you should now be able to properly authenticate to your Mac OS X (or other Samba) share."

Printing from Mac OS X systems to Windows Vista-connected printers Another point of contention with Mac OS X/Windows Vista interaction lies with printing. Some users have found that they are unable to print to devices connected to Windows Vista systems from networked Mac OS X systems via built-in printer sharing routines.

If you are having a similar issue, you can try using LPD printing via these steps:

1. Navigate to the Windows Vista Control Panel
2. Go to the "Programs and Features" pane
3. Click on "Turn Windows Features on or off"
4. Turn on te LPD protocol and make sure that all desired printers are set to be shared
5. On the Mac OS X system, open Printer Setup Utility (located in Applications/Utilities)
6. Hold down the "Option" key and click the "More Printers" button
7. From the top menu select "Advanced"
8. From the "Device:" field select "LPD/LPR Host or Printer"
9. In the "Device URI:" field, lpd://(name of your Windows Vista system)/(name of your printer), e.g. lpd://BobPC/Printer1
10. Click the "Add" button

For more on printer and file sharing in Windows Vista, see this Microsoft TechNet document.

Feedback? Late-breakers@macfixit.com.

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