I'm new to Linux. Used windows many years. Just ran an update using the update manage and now running Linux Mint Cinnamon 19.3 version 4.4.8 with the Kernel at 5.4.0-generic. I have a Windows 10 version 2004 (the latest) laptop and an old desktop running Linux. I have them networked together using my wifi router and all worked well prior to this update. Both machines could see other and I could move file from one to the other with no problem. The first time I attempted to connect from the Linux machine to the Windows machine, I had to enter my password on the Linux machine which is normal. However this time the password screen is in a loop and will not connect. Each machine can ping each other. The Windows Machine can see files on the Linux machine and can grab them but the Linux machine can not see files on the Windows machine. Since I'm new to Linux, where do I begin to do additional troubleshooting? (I hope all this makes sense)

Did you update Linux Mint or Windows 10? It would be VERY hard to help you with the small amount of information you provided. If the update was on linix mint, did you set-up timeshift? If you set-up timeshift did you try to roll back to a time it was working? If the update was windows 10 you can go to the update settings to revert the update. How did you connect the machines? (what method) The better you can explain the issue the more likely someone will help.

It's a long shot, but you might take a look at the files in /etc/var/log/samba, as the samba client would be what makes the connection to the Windows host.

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Updated windows 10 last week and all still worked. Updated mint today and now Linux does not work. I do have timeshare installed but have never used it. It does have 3 entries in it. I can certainly try to roll it back to the latest restore point from last week.

OK, more information. The popup window in the screenshot continues to repeat over and over when I key in the correct password for MYHOMENET. I'm using the same password as the initial login to Mint.

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If Davidslaptop is the Windows 10 computer you would use the password for david that is used to login to the laptop not the login to mint.

I assume that myhomenet is the workgroup name which is just used as a way to organize computers and that you are not actually using a domain.

Did you reboot after the upgrade?

Yes, I've rebooted multiple times even on Windows. I've made sure both machines share the same network on my wifi. MYHOMENET is the network name on my Linux machine. The netbios name on the windows machine is LINUXMINT. Windows can see the files on my linux machine and can actually update them. The password on my Linux machine and windows machine are the same except windows has a capital "R" for it's login. There have been no changes except that I've upgraded both machines. The smb.conf files has not changed. Linux can ping Windows but can not login. When logging in previously, linux required that I put in my linux password to gain access to the network. Of course I've tried both passwords without success. I read about an issue a long time ago with the .Xauthority file that caused a behavior like I'm experiencing. After checking the permissions, all appears to be correct. Now, with all this said, let me remind you that I'm really a novice at linux! I'm a retired IT guy with over 45 years experience in the computer world, all with IBM and Windows. I can follow directions LOL! This is an issue with two home computers and a shared printer. The Linux machine was an old dead XP machine that now has new life! Amazing how much better it preforms with linux.

.Xauthority file is for authentication of X sessions i.e desktop not samba.

A Windows 10 version 2004 (the latest) laptop

An old desktop running Linux.

The workgroup name from what I can tell is MYHOMENET. Both computers should be configured with the same workgroup name.

It would make sense the laptop's netbios name is davidslaptop and the desktop's netbios name is LINUXMINT. If there isn't a netbios name directive in the smb.conf file samba will automatically use the hostname.

There could be a mismatch between the SMB versions between the two computers which might be causing the problem but both Mint 19 and Windows 10 should be using version 3x.

From the linux PC try the following.

smbclient -L davidslaptop (or use IP address if not computer not found)

If the user name is not the same between as the Mint desktop use

smbclient -L davidslaptop -U username

At the password prompt enter the laptops password. If successful you should see the shared folders/printers on Windows computer otherwise post the error messages.

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Your title should be a thesis statement to your problem.

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michaelk It's working now. The problem was Windows...I guess...or me. Here is what I did.

Verified that the work group name on both computers is MYHOMENET.

Ran the commands you suggested and received no errors. I could see the folders from the windows machine.

Did some research on workgroups in windows using Google and found the following that worked.

On Windows I did a right mouse click on "Network"

Selected "Change Advanced Settings"

Selected "All Networks"

Under "Password Protected Sharing" which was on, I turned it off

Went back to Linux and tried again and it worked!

I had made no changes on either machine since I did the upgrade on both. But I had not tried to connect to windows from linux since the Windows 2004 upgrade last week. It very well could be that with my limited Linux experience (very little) I was just lucky before and with the upgrades, a problem was created. All of you that offered suggestions, I very much appreciate it. My next post will be better in that I'll create a better title. I think I'm supposed to something like "solved" somewhere. Thanks again...David

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