Adding Macbook Pro to Windows Network

Kido

I've just treated myself to a Macbook pro and think it's amazing so far. Ideally I'd like to be able to connect it to my Windows 7 PC via ethernet (and broadband router?) so I can transfer large files from my PC to my macbook. Unfortunately, although I can get on the internet ok via the ethernet lead from the macbook to the router, I can't see my Macbook on my Windows PC or vice versa. Is there a trick to adding it into my home network? It picks my brother's netbook up without any problems although that runs windows too. If it can't be done then I can use an eternal hard drive but a colleague thought it would be quicker to transfer via ethernet.

Any ideas what I'm doing wrong? It's a Sky broadband router I've got.

KiwiCrazy

Firstly, setup a share on your windows machine (I will assume you know how to do this, if not either post back or google for it).

Next, type the following command into your MacBook:

smb://windows IP address of course replace this with the IP address of the machine you setup the share on.

When it connects enter the username and password for the windows machine.

Then you will get a prompt to ask which share you want to mount and your done.

Pretty simple process and very handy and fast for moving files around.

If you need more help post back.

Kido

Thanks, I think I'm getting there now. The macbook now seems to be appearing in Windows. Just one problem. How do I know what the username and password are that the Macbook is asking for? Are they the the addresses and password on the router?

KiwiCrazy

It is asking for the user and pass that the share is hosted on (eg the Windows Machine) where you shared the folder

prowla

That'll be your account on the Windows PC.

In computer parlance, your PC is acting as a file server, and your mac as a client. Basically the server is saying to the client "halt - who goes there - friend or foe?" and the client has to respond with a valid username & password to prove that it is a friend.

Kido

Sorry for the next obvious question, but I don't know what my username and password are. Is it stored somewhere, or is there a way of bypassing. I've tried a couple that I thought it might be but they've not worked so far. My brother set the network up, but has now move to Vietnam.

KiwiCrazy

Kido wrote: »

Sorry for the next obvious question, but I don't know what my username and password are. Is it stored somewhere, or is there a way of bypassing. I've tried a couple that I thought it might be but they've not worked so far. My brother set the network up, but has now move to Vietnam.

You must have to login to your windows machine? it is THAT username and password.

Kido

Thanks a lot. I'm now sorted.