Samba: Can't connect

When I try to connect to a computer or my network, or visa-versa, it entirely fails to connect, so I decided to investigate the matter. I've configured /etc/samba/smb.conf, rebooted (samba starts upon booting) - nothing happens. I've tried to perform a 'smbfind' in the console, but it doesn't list any client/host, although I can still connect to my own computer through smb://computer. What could possibly be wrong? Do I need additional services running besides SMB?

start here

http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/samba/chapter/book/

http://hr.uoregon.edu/davidrl/samba/

post your smb.conf

have you added samba users via

smbpasswd -a username

are the other computers on the network configured properly? what type of network is it? what type of clients?

there are a number of reasons that it maynot be working. do some reading and try to answer these ?'s.
good luck.

Originally posted by PEACEDOG post your smb.conf

Here it comes:

[global]

   workgroup = HOME


   server string = Linux


   security = user


  hosts allow = 192.168.1. 192.168.2. 127.
  load printers = yes
;   printcap name = /etc/printcap
;   printcap name = lpstat
;   printing = cups
;  guest account = pcguest
   log file = /var/log/samba.%m
   max log size = 50
;   password server = <NT-Server-Name>
;   realm = MY_REALM
;   passdb backend = tdbsa
;   include = /usr/local/samba/lib/smb.conf.%m
   socket options = TCP_NODELAY 
;   interfaces = 192.168.0.7/24
   local master = no
;   os level = 33
;   domain master = yes 
;   preferred master = yes
;   domain logons = yes
;   logon script = %m.bat
;   logon script = %U.bat
;   logon path = \\%L\Profiles\%U
;   wins support = yes
;   wins server = w.x.y.z
;   wins proxy = yes
   dns proxy = no 
;  add user script = /usr/sbin/useradd %u
;  add group script = /usr/sbin/groupadd %g
;  add machine script = /usr/sbin/adduser -n -g machines -c Machine -d /dev/null -s /bin/false %u
;  delete user script = /usr/sbin/userdel %u
;  delete user from group script = /usr/sbin/deluser %u %g
;  delete group script = /usr/sbin/groupdel %g


#============================ Share Definitions ==============================
[homes]
;   comment = Home Directories
;   browseable = no
;   writable = yes

[Share_Dump_1]
   comment = Home Share 
   path = /storage/shared 
   only guest = yes
   public = yes
   writable = yes
   printable = no

Originally posted by PEACEDOG have you added samba users via smbpasswd -a username

Just did. No change.

are the other computers on the network configured properly? what type of network is it? what type of clients?

The two other computers in the network are running Windows XP and Windows 2K, both working fine. All computers (including this one) are connected through a switch, sharing a DSL connection that is also connected directly to the switch.

Is the O'Rilley book the best one to learn Samba or is there a better one. In fact is Samba the best way to connect to printers and shares in a Windows 2000 server w/ Active Directory or is there a better way?

may i suggest again some reading at the provided links. in the meantime here is a basic smb.conf that i use to start from when setting up the samba, it was saved from a successful mandrake setup, so that's where i start every time.

[global]

   workgroup = yourgroup
   netbios name = yournetbiosname
   server string = Samba Server %v
   security = SHARE
   encrypt passwords = Yes
   map to guest = Bad User
   log file = /var/log/samba/log.%m
   max log size = 50
   socket options = TCP_NODELAY SO_RCVBUF=8192 SO_SNDBUF=8192
   printcap name = cups
   dns proxy = No
   printer admin = @adm
   printing = cups

[homes]
   comment = Home Directories
   path = /home/yourhome
   public = yes
   browseable = yes
   writable = yes

the above is only an example, you will need to do some research and modify it accordingly. some other things to keep in mind are your users, the windows machines setup, and, any firwalls. as i stated before there could be a ton of reasons it's not working. start from scratch w/the file i've provided and do the reading. come back w/some specific ?'s.
good luck.