I am new to Linux but experienced in Windows (and DOS for that matter). I have just loaded Fedora FC1 on a computer that was surplus to my needs and would like to connect it to my existing Windows XP home network (4 stations). The computers on the XP network share a DSL connection to the INet by a router, and share an Epson Stylus Color 640 printer connected to one of the Windows computers (TREVOR1).

The Linux machine connects to the INet just fine.

I have encountered two problems, probably connected. First, although I can see the Linux computer as Samba Server (Linuxhost) in XP's network neighborhood when I open the Microsoft Windows Network, I cannot open Samba Server. I get the following message: \\Linux host not accessible. You might not have permission to use this network resource. Contact the administrator ....". I have yet to figure out how I find out if I can "see" the XP computers from my Linux machine.

Second, I have had no success in adding the Epson Stylus as a SMB printer, not surprising given the network problem above.

After much trial and error I adapted a smb.conf file I found in a message thread posted in these forums by Dolphin2005 on 10-09-05. It enabled me at least to see the Linux com[puter in XP, but still left me unable to access the network from either end.

Here is my smb.conf file:

[global]

workgroup = OWEN OFFICE
netbios name = linuxhost
server string = Samba Server

printcap name = /etc/printcap
load printers = yes

cups options = raw

log file = /var/log/samba/smbd.log
max log size = 50

security = user

password server = none

unix password sync = Yes
passwd program = /usr/bin/passwd %u

socket options = TCP_NODELAY SO_RCVBUF=8192 SO_SNDBUF=8192

local master = no

wins server = w.x.y.z
idmap uid = 16777216-33554431
idmap gid = 16777216-33554431

dns proxy = no


[homes]
comment = Home Directories
read only = no

[printers]
comment = All Printers
path = /var/spool/samba
browseable = no
printable = yes

[tmp]
comment = Temporary file space
path = /tmp
read only = no
guest ok = yes

[public]
comment = Public Stuff
path = /usr/tmp
public = yes
read only = no
guest only = yes
guest ok = yes

g[root directory]
comment = root's account on Linux machine
path = /home
valid users = root
read only = no

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Trevor

Install smb4k on your linux box and then run it by su'ing to root. It will sniff out your Windoze shares and you can then mount them from within smb4k. Very simple.

Cheers.

NonStop

One Canuck to another, what is smb4k, and where can I get it? I'm that new to Linux

Trevor

It is available for most distros that I'm aware of. However your version handles adding new packages. I assume you have some tool there to add new software? Do a search within it for smb4k. Sorry, can't be more specific as I'm not familiar with the distro you're using.

Cheers.

NoStop

Found it , installed it via the RPM manager, and ran it. No joy. It shows no network at all. Since documentation available on line was sparse (non-existant?), ditto for the application "Help" file, I'm not sure if I should have done anything other than just run the program.

Any info you can provide.

BTW, I'm running Fedora FC1 (Wasn't sure my old machine could handle anything else).

Trevor