I have samba running on a fresh install of 9.2, it's tricky to get going for a newbie. From my XP machine I can find the samba server but when I click on it I get the message \\LocalHost is not accessible.

In the init.d directory logged on as root I first typed "service smb stop", which stopped samba. I then typed "smbpasswd -a username" where username is my xp login id, I filled in the password and confirmation but i then got a message that this user is not in the system passwords file which is usually contained in /etc/passwd (I can't se that).

I had previously successfully added a user, the name of my xp computer, rather than the login. Why is it not letting me add this user? I assume this is the reason I'm getting the message in xp.

When I tried to run Swat from Configuration | Networking | Samba Configurationthat I get : An error occurred while loading h t t p : / / localhost:901/: Could not connect to host localhost (port 901)

I then downloaded swat 2.2.8a on rpmfind.net, installing this gives Some package requested cannot be installed: swat-2.2.8a-1.i386 (due to unsatisfied cups-lib) do you agree ?

The Linux install was such a breeze I should have expected a hiccup such as this, seems like you need to be a Linux guru to get samba working. Any recommendations from here?

Thanks a lot, Tom.

try using webmin to configure samba

and please report any output such as errors, etc.

Hi

Also you need to go to the rpm installer and install SWAT as this doesnt happen by default (mmm??)
or at least check if it is installed !

Cheers

Are you sure your machine is doing internal name resolution properly? What is the content of /etc/hosts?

When you setup samba, you will typically be adding the user name twice, once to unix/linux, and once to samba using smbpasswd (or pdbedit, depending upon which version samba you're using)

- on the samba site - www.samba.org - there is a howto guide on getting samba running that is available as a PDF. There is a troubleshooting chapter that should be able to assist you in getting it going properly.

Another good thing to look at doing would be to install the version of SWAT that's on your install discs. It's usually on the third disc, in the Mandrake/RPMS directory

Put in the disc, mount the drive, and type (as root)

once you find the swat rpm file try to run

after that restart the xinetd service (/etc/init.d/xinetd restart), and then trying to go to http://localhost:901 and see if that yeilds results.

Stupid question, I know, but have you named your Linux host, or left it as the default LocalHost? From the quote above, it looks like you've left it as the default. Windows also uses \\localhost (not case-senstive) to mean the local machine, so it might be getting confused...

I use webmin to configure samba, it works soo easily. hint: make sure samba is open on your built in shorewall firewall : )

Thanks for the replies. To be honest, as a newbie most of them were over my head.

>>try using webmin to configure samba
>>and please report any output such as errors, etc.

I had a look for webmin on my system and could not find it.

>>Also you need to go to the rpm installer and install SWAT as this doesn't happen by >>default (mmm??) or at least check if it is installed !

I googled for rpm installer but could not find it, I don't know what this is. Would running the swat rpm I installed not be the same? That was the one that gave me the unsatisfied cups-lib error.

>>Are you sure your machine is doing internal name resolution properly?
How do I check this?

>>What is the content of /etc/hosts?
I haven't changed the default setup....I don't seem to have this directory.

>>Another good thing to look at doing would be to install the version of SWAT that's on >>your install discs. It's usually on the third disc, in the Mandrake/RPMS directory
>>Put in the disc, mount the drive, and type (as root)
>>ls *.rpm | grep swat

I hadn't downloaded the 3rd CD,a ls without the grep swat gives lots of rpm files but with it none.

>>rpm -ivh samba-package-version.whatever.rpm

This package is on the 2nd cd, should I run it to try and reinstall samba?

>> but have you named your Linux host, or left it as the default LocalHost? From the >>quote above, it looks like you've left it as the default. Windows also uses \\localhost >>(not case-senstive) to mean the local machine, so it might be getting confused...

It probably is as I have not changed the default installation. Can't figure out where in the control centre to do this.

Wow, it looks like the breeze of an installation was a red herring. I'm a programmer who has worked with computers for 10+ years. What chance does the regular joe have of deciphering this very un newbie friendly os.

I'll keep trying. I'm reading the samba pdf trying to figure out what to do but not getting anywhere for now.

Thanks for ye'r help.

Cheers, Tom.

1.Webmin is a configuration tool. Once you install it, you open konqueror and type https://localhost:10000 then login as root. Explore to the servers and try editing it a little bit.
2. rpm installer is rpmdrake (also called Install Software) you can use this to get SWAT Webmin, etc.
3. The lib-cups error will automatically be fixed when using rpmdrake
4. I have heard that changing your host name is a pain.
5. try doing: urpmi ksambaplugin. This is a module that plugs into KDE control center
Webmin:

make sure if you have a firewall, that webmin is allowed (port 10000)
When you first start it, you will be prompted with some certificate questions. allow the certificates
click on servers
click on samba windows filesharing

This will allow you to configure samba.
Hope it helps

Thanks for the tips. In RpmDrake I found nothing for swat or webmin. I found webmin-1.121-2mdk.src.rpm from rpmfind.net and downloaded it. Logged on as root I tried :

rpm - ivh webmin-1.121-2mdk.src.rpm

and was given warnings: user flepied does not exist - using root.

I have a default instalation of madrake 9.2 with practical everything installed. Would someone be able to point me where I can find something? ANy advice much appreciated.

Thanks, Tom.

Don't download the source files -src.rpm
get this webmin-1.2.1
do rpm -ivh webmin-1.121.noarch.rpm

Great, thanks. I did that. Going to url https://localhost:10000 in Konqueror gave me an error : the server certificate failed the autenenticity test (localhost), I accepted and continued, logging on as root when it asked.

I navigated to https://localhost:10000/samba/ and there I will continue my journey over the next few days. Thanks for the start.

Cheers, Tom.

P.S. In the mandrake control center ("mcc") make sure that the firewall is open for Samba : ).

Thanks guys. I have no firewall on while I am getting everything setup, I'll add it once everthing is working. However. there is a built in one of my router which I use to give all3 machines a net connection (it also has a printer port). Does this matter?

Webmin is fantastic, so nice to have an interface on all those file, huge help to a newbie and, maybe I am wrong, but I would imagine everyone....

Ok. I can edit the password of the user I added already but I can't figure out how to delete this user and add another in webmin?

I want to add one to correspond to my windows login name. I am now getting the login screen on my xp machine so hoefully I just need to add this user!

Cheers, Tom.