Kubuntu and Vista machines don't recognize each other.

[FlameStrike]

I apologize if this has been dealt with before, but I'm not finding any trace of it if it has. At least not in any form that helps me.

I have two computers, one running Kubuntu 9.10, one running Vista. They both connect to the Internet successfully through a 2Wire Homeportal, basically a combination DSL modem and network router/hub. The Homeportal recognizes both machines and reports the connections of both machines, but neither machine can recognize each other, much less share files.

Can anyone help me figure out how to get the two computers speaking to each other?

Thanks.

[Ole Juul]

Re: Kubuntu and Vista machines don't recognize each other.

Do you know the ip address of each computer? Are you using DHCP?

[FlameStrike]

Re: Kubuntu and Vista machines don't recognize each other.

I do know the IP addresses for each machine, and according to the settings on the homeportal I do appear to be using DHCP.

[Ole Juul]

Re: Kubuntu and Vista machines don't recognize each other.

If you can't ping the ip of each machine from the other, perhaps the Homeportal has put them on different networks. I admit that I'm no networking expert, but in my experience if there is an ip, I can ping it, and that means the computers are communicating.

[FlameStrike]

Re: Kubuntu and Vista machines don't recognize each other.

Well, that's something. It appears I was able to ping the Vista machine from the Kubuntu machine. All that's left now is to get them to show up on each other's recognized networks so I can more easily move files back and forth.

[edkwok]

Re: Kubuntu and Vista machines don't recognize each other.

in order for Vista directory to show up on other computer within the same Network. You must share the directory wish other computer to see. I think you right click on the directory icon and make it share... See if you can setup the share on your Vista system first.

Second, on your linux box, I do believe you must run somba. Somba allow linux file system to read and work with windows file system. You are crossing file systems boundary.

You must be able to ping the two system for each other, Vista ping linux and linux ping vista successfully.

I am little confused on your LAN hook-up. Typical Home LAN setup is DSL or Cable modem plugged into router, and all computer within the house plugged into the router (not directly into the DSL or cable modem). How many network connection do you have on your homeport

[FlameStrike]

Re: Kubuntu and Vista machines don't recognize each other.

in order for Vista directory to show up on other computer within the same Network. You must share the directory wish other computer to see. I think you right click on the directory icon and make it share... See if you can setup the share on your Vista system first.

Files are already being shared on both machines. At present, I cannot access them from the other machine.

Second, on your linux box, I do believe you must run somba. Somba allow linux file system to read and work with windows file system. You are crossing file systems boundary.

Already taken care of. Samba is running.

You must be able to ping the two system for each other, Vista ping linux and linux ping vista successfully.

Tested and managed successfully.

I am little confused on your LAN hook-up. Typical Home LAN setup is DSL or Cable modem plugged into router, and all computer within the house plugged into the router (not directly into the DSL or cable modem). How many network connection do you have on your homeport

Simply put, the DSL modem and router are one and the same unit. Two computers are connected by Ethernet cables, and more can connect with a wireless connection if I needed, but only these two systems are connected at present.

Both of the computers are capable of accessing the Internet through the homeportal, and the homeportal reports both computers as being connected to it, they just aren't showing up on the other computer's reported network connections.

[FlameStrike]

Re: Kubuntu and Vista machines don't recognize each other.

Since nothing has been added for almost a month, can I assume no one has any clue how to help me?

[Ole Juul]

Re: Kubuntu and Vista machines don't recognize each other.

I'm not getting the problem. It looks solved to me. You can ping the other machine and to me that means they recognize each other. You can share files on both machines.

Files are already being shared on both machines. At present, I cannot access them from the other machine.

Forgive my thickheadedness but how do you share files without being able to access them? Are you talking about write permissions? Samba may have some special vocabulary that I am not aware of - I've never tried it. I personally use FTP on my home network and that allows me to see all my computers as if they were one - regardless of OS.

There are others here with vastly more knowledge than me. Perhaps they too don't understand. Could you be having a Vista problem that we don't understand here? Just a wild guess. I hope you get some resolution.

-Ole

[FlameStrike]

Re: Kubuntu and Vista machines don't recognize each other.

I'm not getting the problem. It looks solved to me. You can ping the other machine and to me that means they recognize each other. You can share files on both machines.

Except, they don't. The list of computers shown on the network as viewed from the Vista machine does not include the Kubuntu machine, and vice versa. I can ping the IP address for each computer, but that's quite literally all I can do. The computer will say, in effect, "OK, there's something there, but I can't identify what."

Nothing has been changed since I started this topic, nothing has been resolved, all that's happened is that I've learned a little bit more about the condition of the network, such as it is.

Files are already being shared on both machines. At present, I cannot access them from the other machine.

Forgive my thickheadedness but how do you share files without being able to access them?

I mean the files that I want to share across the network have been selected, the sharing function has been activated, and the Linux machine tells me that any other computer on the network can access those files I've selected for sharing on the Linux machine, the Vista machine tells me that any other computer on the network can access those files I've selected for sharing on the Vista machine, but Linux cannot access the files on the Vista machine, and the Vista cannot access the files on the Linux machine. Neither machine can tell me anything except "There's something at the IP address you told me to ping."

Are you talking about write permissions?

I don't know. I just know I cannot access files on the other machine, regardless of which machine I use. Neither machine will even tell me the other one exists except when I use a ping command from the command line. I have no idea what else I need to do, what settings I need to alter, or what, exactly, the slagging problem is.

Samba may have some special vocabulary that I am not aware of - I've never tried it.

And I've only ever successfully set up a functional network though the homeportal with Windows XP and autodetection, which isn't working with Vista or Kubuntu. I suspect the problem is with settings in Kubuntu, but I cannot find, anywhere, anything that will help me identify what settings I need to adjust or even where to find them. Even if the problem's not in Kubuntu's settings, I can't find anything, anywhere to confirm that I have things set up properly.

I've only used for a little over a year, and I've been struggling with this for most of that time, while nearly every other changeover issue I've had with switching to Linux has been resolved.

I personally use FTP on my home network and that allows me to see all my computers as if they were one - regardless of OS.

Yeah, I'd be willing to try that if I knew how to set that up. Since all I want to do is share files between the two computers without having to use flash drives all the time that would work nicely.

If you can point me in the right direction on that one, that might solve everything.

There are others here with vastly more knowledge than me. Perhaps they too don't understand.

Well, if anything is unclear, all they have to do is ask and I'll try to clarify the problem as best I can. Even that hasn't happened for the past month, which is why I figured I'd ask and see if anyone had any idea, either about what was going on or about what more information I could provide.

Could you be having a Vista problem that we don't understand here? Just a wild guess.

Well, when MS and Windows are involved, problems are always inevitable. Nothing good ever comes them, and I'd be happy to get rid of them completely if circumstances permitted. At the moment, they don't.

I hope you get some resolution.

Thanks. I'd say I do as well, but I abandoned hope, on all issues, years ago. Still, I'm going to keep trying and looking. I just figured I'd check on this potential resource before moving on.

I will also be looking into your FTP idea. If I can figure out how to set it up, it might just be the solution I'm looking for. Thanks for the idea.

[Ole Juul]

Re: Kubuntu and Vista machines don't recognize each other.

Nothing has been changed since I started this topic, nothing has been resolved, all that's happened is that I've learned a little bit more about the condition of the network, such as it is.

I would have thought you would tell us what exactly you are doing and in which programs. We already know you have two computers and some kind of switch/router. Have you done anything to find out what is happening? What diagnostic approach are you taking?

. . . but Linux cannot access the files on the Vista machine, and the Vista cannot access the files on the Linux machine.

What program are you using to access the files? Konqueror should work.

And I've only ever successfully set up a functional network though the homeportal with Windows XP and autodetection, . . .

I wouldn't be surprised if your Homeportal is an MS-Windows specific machine. If you can find a forum where people know about that device it might be more helpful.

Well, if anything is unclear, all they have to do is ask . . .

I guess it's hard to know what to ask.

I will also be looking into your FTP idea. If I can figure out how to set it up, it might just be the solution I'm looking for. Thanks for the idea.

There isn't really anything to do exept:

1. Install an FTP server on Kubuntu
(sudo apt-get install proftpd)
Important!: chose ServerType "standalone")
2. Access the Kubuntu box from the Vista box using
either FTP on the command line or IE, or any other
browser or program (Firefox?) which can do FTP.

That takes care of one end. I don't know what Vista offers in the way of FTP servers, but essentially you need to set one up there if you want to do the same from the other box. If you are happy just moving files back and forth while at the Vista machine then you are fine with just proftpd. From the Vista command line, you can type "get" and "put" to move files back and forth. The FTP syntax is universal. On the Vista command line, type FTP and from there type "?" for an extended list of commands. I don't know the clikity thing in IE but it should be drag and drop to move files back and forth.

[FlameStrike]

Re: Kubuntu and Vista machines don't recognize each other.

I would have thought you would tell us what exactly you are doing and in which programs. We already know you have two computers and some kind of switch/router. Have you done anything to find out what is happening? What diagnostic approach are you taking?

I have no idea where to even begin to look under Kubuntu. I've pulled up every Samba or other network setting related program I can find under Kubuntu, and nothing jumps out at me. As for the list if programs I've tried: (from the System Menu) GADMIN-Samba, Network, KNewtorkManager, Samba, Shared Folders, and probably a few other things that I don't recall right now.

What program are you using to access the files? Konqueror should work.

Maybe it should, but it doesn't. I can't even find a way to get to the other computer through Konquerer. There are no icons for it, no address bar entries work, everything I try it tells me there's nothing there.

I wouldn't be surprised if your Homeportal is an MS-Windows specific machine. If you can find a forum where people know about that device it might be more helpful.

It's not Windows specific. Kubuntu has no problems connecting to the Internet through it, since it is also my DSL modem, and there are no drivers needed. I plug it in through my networking port and I'm on the Internet. There are no drivers needed for the homeportal, and I interact with the homeportal's settings though a web browser.

With no special software needed, there's no way it can be system specific. At least not to my understanding. In addition, if it was system specific, I can't imagine why one of the two jobs it's supposed to perform works perfectly for both machines and the other doesn't work at all.

I guess it's hard to know what to ask.

Start with the very basics and work your way up.

Assume, though, that the computer is plugged in and turns on since I'm able to post here using my Linux machine.

[Ole Juul]

Re: Kubuntu and Vista machines don't recognize each other.

First of all, I don't want to lead you on. All I know about is network setup and basic things like that. I am not running Karmic. Perhaps I can inspire you to discover some solution and that's all.

Here's a couple of ideas.

I have a theory that the two machines don't have an ip because there is (maybe) no DHCP server in your router. It would be highly unusual and require special setup for your computers. However, even if there is one, the following information is good to know.

Each machine will have a local ip address. I assume you don't use a static setup. That is where you specify your own ip. It is easy to do but usually what happens is there is a DHCP server on the router, although it could exist elsewhere. That server automatically gives out ip addresses, as well as gateway, and DNS (domain name server) info, to any machine when it connects. In order for machines to connect, they need to have an address, however they got it. Typically it will look like 192.168.1.1. When another machine connects to the network, it will be given the address 192.168.1.2, or similar. It could be something else but almost always it will start with 192.168.

To get information about your local address, the command for a Linux machine is "ifconfig". I think it is "ipconfig" on a windows machine - but don't quote me. Anyway, type "ifconfig" on your Kubuntu machine and it will show an address similar to the one I mentioned above. To connect from the Vista box, you need to use that address. The same goes for the other way around.

If for example, you have installed an FTP server on the Linux box (instructions in my last post), then you can access it from Vista by putting the address in the address bar of IE. Like this: "ftp://192.168.1.1". If you are using the command line you type "ftp 192.168.1.1". I will leave that example at that, but if you want more on that, just ask.

I would be curious to know if you have a DHCP server, and if both machines have ip addresses. Ifconfig is a handy utility, but look also at /etc/network/interfaces.

list /etc/network/interfaces

Edit: My example ftp address above gets mangled by the forum software to include http!!!
Use this:

ftp://192.168.1.1

[sithlord48]

Re: Kubuntu and Vista machines don't recognize each other.

what workgroups are these computers in , cant tell you how to do it in vista but i can tell you that if you have not changed it in the smb.conf file then the samba server is in the "workgroup" workgroup. . they will both need to be in the same work group.

on the kubuntu use dolphin and point it at (right click the location area and change to edit) smb:/<ip or hostname of server> . the kubuntu machine should see the vista server. reguardless of workgroup in this manor. (dolphin may not browse samba correctly atm).

on the vista machine use the same trick w/ explore but instead point it to \\<ip or hostname of server>
again reguardless of the workgroup settings it should see the kubuntu server.

good luck.

[FlameStrike]

Re: Kubuntu and Vista machines don't recognize each other.

First of all, I don't want to lead you on. All I know about is network setup and basic things like that. I am not running Karmic. Perhaps I can inspire you to discover some solution and that's all.

Anything that might help, I'm grateful for, even I'm just answering questions.

Here's a couple of ideas.

I have a theory that the two machines don't have an ip because there is (maybe) no DHCP server in your router. It would be highly unusual and require special setup for your computers. However, even if there is one, the following information is good to know.

Well, I'm about to blow this theory out of the water. DHCP is in use, and both machines have IP addresses. ifconfig and ipconfig both give me the same numbers the homeportal itself reports.

what workgroups are these computers in , cant tell you how to do it in vista but i can tell you that if you have not changed it in the smb.conf file then the samba server is in the "workgroup" workgroup. . they will both need to be in the same work group.

This might actually be something. I'm not sure I used the same workgroup name on both computers. I'm adjusting it now on both, I think. If not, then I'm making the effort to do so.

on the kubuntu use dolphin and point it at (right click the location area and change to edit) smb:/<ip or hostname of server> . the kubuntu machine should see the vista server. reguardless of workgroup in this manor. (dolphin may not browse samba correctly atm).

Okay, now we seem to be getting somewhere. I tried this on Kubuntu, and managed to see the contents of the shared folders on the Vista machine. I couldn't copy anything, but that may be more because I'm unused to dolphin. I'll try again through Konquerer. Thanks for that.

However, it was not possible to see anything on the Kubuntu machine from the Vista machine. Vista still does not recognize that there's something there to connect to, and I am beginning to suspect it's a problem in configuration on the Kubuntu machine, though I know so little about this that I could easily be wrong.