i type this command and get this:

/etc/rc.d/init.d/smb status
smbd (pid 3581) is running...
nmbd dead but pid file exists

needless to say my samba isn't working right.. why isn't nmbd starting back up again? could it be something that i changed in my smb.conf file?

no it just means that it has died. Just stop smb, remvove the pid file the start it back up again

where is the .pid file? i have sm-client.pid.. is that it?

ok.. found the file.. it was in /var/run when smb was running.. and nmbd.pid is there when i stop it.. so i removed it as you said. when i start smb back up again nmbd fails to start.. so i stopped smb and removed the file again.. i now tried smb reload. and it says that smb.conf failed.. is there something wrong with my smb.conf file? i don't think i've done anything 'extreme' to it.

Are there any odd entries in your samba logs?

Perhaps you could post a copy of your smb.conf file.

Running "testparm" should check your smb.conf file for errors.

this is what my testparm comes up with:

[root@Linux samba]# /usr/bin/testparm
Load smb config files from /etc/samba/smb.conf
Processing section "[files]"
Loaded services file OK.
Server role: ROLE_STANDALONE
Press enter to see a dump of your service definitions

# Global parameters
[global]
workgroup = MSHOME
server string = Linux
interfaces = 192.168.0.1/24, 192.168.2.1/24
security = SHARE
log file = /var/log/samba/%m.log
max log size = 50
socket options = TCP_NODELAY SO_RCVBUF=8192 SO_SNDBUF=8192
dns proxy = No
wins server = 192.168.0.1
hosts allow = 192.168.0., 127.0.0.1

[files]
comment = Stuff
path = /home/james
read only = yes
guest ok = yes


i've looked through the nmbd.logs and it seems like it keeps looking for a domain master.. and then assigning itself to being master.. i could post up what my smb.conf says.. but i think the above says it all. if not i'll post the uncommented parts of it.

i can see winxp fine for the first few minutes when i first start up but then it goes away. on linux it can't see linux.. and winxp can't see linux either.. i assume that's what nmbd controls.

ok fixed it for the most part.. there are still a few "funny things"

[root@Linux samba]# /usr/bin/testparm
Load smb config files from /etc/samba/smb.conf
params.c:Parameter() - Ignoring badly formed line in configuration file: Un-comment the following to provide a specific roving profile share
params.c:Parameter() - Ignoring badly formed line in configuration file: the default is to use the user's home directory
Processing section "[webpage]"
Processing section "[files]"
Loaded services file OK.
Server role: ROLE_STANDALONE
Press enter to see a dump of your service definitions

# Global parameters
[global]
workgroup = MSHOME
server string = Linux
interfaces = 192.168.0.1/24, 192.168.2.103/24
security = SHARE
log file = /var/log/samba/%m.log
max log size = 50
socket options = TCP_NODELAY SO_RCVBUF=8192 SO_SNDBUF=8192
preferred master = Yes
domain master = Yes
dns proxy = No
wins server = 192.168.0.1
hosts allow = 192.168.0.2, 127.0.0.1

i don't like those 'Ignoring badly formed line' bits.. not sure what they have a problem with..

i made linux to be a perferred master and doman master and changed interfaces 192.168.2.1 to 192.168.2.103 which is actually the right one.. so i think that cured somethings.

also briefly i had access to every that's on the router from winxp. which is weird as winxp is connected to linux.. linux to router.. router to everyone else.. and i didn't allow samba's need TCP and UDP's on the router.. but if i could do that again and keep it.. that would be awesome.

the last thing now is. i can't see winxp from linux.. no a big deal as i can do and see everything from winxp anyhow. but it would be nice.

thanks for the help so far!

How did you edit the config file? perhaps it has a few DOS EOL characters.

What happens when you try to mount an XP share in linux? Do you get a specific error?

more things cleared up.. and linux is listed once again on both winxp and linux..

i just use the 'network services' on fedora's "start" menu to find what networks are available.. who do i mount a networked drive? it would save me some time if i were to have a direct link to it on my desktop ..

i think everythign else is under control now..