I'm a beginner with Linux and am trying Ubuntu 5.04 after giving Fedora a go. My problem is always the same; trying to get Samba to work. The only time I ever succeeded was with Fedora Core 1 then never again.

Anyway, I used synaptic to install Samba on Ubuntu and it said the installation was successful. I then re-booted (Windows habits die hard!) but I can't get the Linux box to see the Windows boxes or vice versa.

All of the users have the same names and respective passwords on the different machines and they are all under Workgroup.

I think I may be missing something in the configuration steps, maybe not using the correct syntax to name a machine or something in trying to set up the Samba shares on the Linux machine.

Can anyone help me on this? At this point, I'm just thrashing around.

Thanks.

I find that the best way to use SAMBA between Linux - Linux or Linux - Windows is to use IP Addresses rather than names, unless you have a good domain system set up?

Before you can use Samba, you need firstly to start the Samba service when you want it, or at boot time.

These (may not be exact..?):
will start certain parts of SAMBA for you.

Once started, any changes you make to /etc/samba/smb.conf, need to be put in place by restarting the service - just swap the word "start" with "restart" above.

If you are having more specific trouble, ie - with your smb.conf file, perhaps you could post it here? Or search the forum for more specific details. But generally as long as you and your windows machines are in the same workgroup, same subnet, and can ping one another - samba should work.

there's a section on samba here:
http://ubuntuguide.org/#sambaserver

If you have prob seeing windows machine from linux, try this method:
http://ubuntuguide.org/#accessnetworkfolderswihoutmount

above that, make sure you have configured your network correctly. try ping the network/windows machine