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Resolving 'Connect to Server...' connection problems Network
If you have problems connecting to a server using the "Connect to..." dialog box in the Finder (with the server known to be functional, and working from other accounts on the same machine), try deleting the invisible file ~/Library -> Preferences -> .GlobalPreferences.plist by typing the following in the terminal:
rm ~/Library/Preferences/.GlobalPreferences.plist
Back story: When connecting to my local file server, I entered the IP address in the Connect to... dialog, and clicked Connect. When the login window popped up, I clicked on the Options button and entered some (apparently) bad settings and saved. Im my case, I turned off 'Clear text passwords' and enabled SSH. Normally, if this doesn't work, the Finder will tell you. In my case, it didn't, and it saved those prefs.

Result: I couldn't log into that server at all from the Finder, whether it be via AppleTalk or SMB. The same server worked fine from other accounts on the system. After lots of preference-juggling, I stumbled across this invisible file that made the difference.
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Resolving 'Connect to Server...' connection problems | 7 comments | Create New Account
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Typo alert
Authored by: momerath on Nov 02, '04 10:19:45AM
I think you mean GlobalPreferences instead of GlobapPreferences.

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Resolving 'Connect to Server...' connection problems
Authored by: mm2270 on Nov 02, '04 11:48:01AM

Thank you!

This did the trick! I too was having problems logging in to a local server from my account. I had been thinking about reinstalling the OS and setting up a whole new account as I hadn't been able to correct the problem. Now I don't have to!



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Resolving 'Connect to Server...' connection problems
Authored by: slykking on Nov 02, '04 03:13:24PM

Well this was touched on previous topic:
http://www.macosxhints.com/comment.php?mode=display&sid=20040914105540389&title=Resolve+Windows+server+connection+issues+via+UAM&type=article&order=&pid=46240
Might have saved you some time.



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Resolving 'Connect to Server...' connection problems
Authored by: tych0 on Nov 02, '04 04:25:45PM
Actually, MacOSXHints was the first place I looked when I encountered the problem. Unfortunately, the previous story didn't have any of the keywords I was searching for. I could not connect to my file server under ANY protocol from this user account... So while the culprit is the same file, there was no way I would've stumbled across the solution without knowing which file was corrupt...
Thanks for the pointer though :)

So, why is this file hidden in the first place? Why doesn't it have a more explicit name?

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Resolving 'Connect to Server...' connection problems
Authored by: ericnentrup on Nov 02, '04 10:42:07PM
Hey there...SIMILAR problem...I have a PowerMac hardwired to my wireless router and a PowerBook connecting to it via AirPort Express. I sit and swivel between the two while working and am often grabbing files from one and copying them to the other. And part of that "highway" has broken down:

My PowerMac all of the sudden, doesn't want to allow my PB to access SOME of the volumes, INCLUDING my user folder. But it's not ALL of the volumes.

Via the Network Pane, I get to the password, and the volumes list pops up. I click on some and they mount on my PowerBook. But my PM's user folder, and a couple of the other drives DON'T MOUNT and when I double click on the PM's shortcut again, the Volumes list shows THOSE volumes as greyed out.

I've reinstalled OS X on the PM...I've created a new "dummy" account to see what was up. I fear either a corrupt file or an invisible file is the culprit....thoughts?

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PowerMac G4 1ghz (OWC Merc Extreme)
768mb Ram
360GB storage (over 4 HD's)
OS X.3.4

PowerBook 12" 1.33ghz
768mb Ram
60gb HD
OS X.3.5

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Permissions?
Authored by: EatingPie on Nov 03, '04 07:58:45AM

You may have thought of this already, but are the permissions set properly? And do you log in as ... well ... you when you connect?

Not sure if that will help, but may be worth a look.

-Pie

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-Pie
<http://www.storybytes.com>



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BE CAREFUL!!!
Authored by: EatingPie on Nov 03, '04 07:55:44AM

A simple solution to a complex problem. Great!! Thanks tych0!

HOWEVER, there are some SERIOUS caveats here that may have "severe" consequences. The GlobalPreferences have a lot of random stuff in there, so it's important to know what this is. Here's an (incomplete) list of what the GlobalPreferences holds, and you may or may not be effected by these.

The Default System Font.

Mouse and Trackpad "Scaling" - sensitivity / speed.

Trackpad tap-to-click.

Scrollbar Arrows - two arrows at top of scroll bar? One arrow at top/bottom? etc.

Font size at which Smoothing gets applied. For example, I have this set to 128 (points) because I'm basically DISABLING font smoothing.

Selection highlight color.

The list of recent folders, appearing in the Apple Menu.

Favorites for font styles.

Favorites for colors, including styles and colors you've saved in the grid at the bottom of the Colors dialog.

That's only a partial list, but if you have any such settings it may be better to lonly delete the appletalk preferences. They are actually indented and begin with the following in the .Globalpreferences.plist:


	<key>com.apple.AppleShareClientCore</key>
	<dict>

Just open the .GlobalPreferences.plist with your fave editor, and have at it.

-Pie

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-Pie


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