Logon issues in Mac/Windows environment

[FartKnocker]

I actually have 2 issues, the first is simple but all the Google suggestions I have seen haven't worked.

1) I want to create a shortcut to a network location on the Macbook's desktop- ie, there is a shared folder on the network and I want to be able to access it from an icon on the desktop. This is a total breeze in Windows and I cannot get it to work on the Mac. I have tried all forms of drag/drop, apple key+drag, apple+L, etc.- all suggestions I have seen when searching for an answer- and can't get it to work. I know it can be done, I have seen it on other machines, but those folks didn't set them up and cannot help.

2) Our situation is a little unique. We are running SBS 2003 SP2 (just upgraded to SP2 to try and combat this problem, no luck) for our server, and using all Macs for client machines. We are seeing a problem with being able to consistently log in to the network. What I mean is, if we boot the machine, get to the login prompt and login in quickly, we get connected. If we let it wait for 30+ seconds, or say log off when we go to lunch and come back and log in, we cannot- we have to turn the machine off and back on and log in quickly to connect. When it won't connect, it does the thing where it shakes the login box signaling that it cannot log in. This would seem to point to a replication issue, possibly with Active Directory on the SBS, but we're not sure. It could be that it is just using cached credentials when it successfully logs in, we don't know. We've run the SBS analyzer to make sure everything is working properly, and it is- we are completely in line with MS best practices.

Any ideas, or links to possible solutions?

 

[viggen9]

It could be a network connectivity issue. When you get back from lunch, click repeatedly on the grey text at the login window (typically it displays the computer name). After 4 or 5 clicks you should see the IP address of the computer --- is it a valid IP? After another click or two, you should see "Network Accounts Available" or "Network Accounts Unavailable".

 

[Sky Blue]

It could be a network connectivity issue. When you get back from lunch, click repeatedly on the grey text at the login window (typically it displays the computer name). After 4 or 5 clicks you should see the IP address of the computer --- is it a valid IP? After another click or two, you should see "Network Accounts Available" or "Network Accounts Unavailable".

Only if they're bound to an OS X Server.

When you log in, and go to directory utility do you see and red dot or a green dot next to the domain name?

 

[pkreadsalot]

I am having the same issues as the #2 problem listed above. Did anyone ever figure out how to fix it? We have to make the computer (mac) go to sleep and then wake it up to make it re-bind with the network. It keeps losing it's bind when left alone for a bit. If it goes to sleep on its own, once you wake it up it's fine, but if it just sits for a spell after a student logs off - before it goes to sleep - we get the red light and the Network Accounts Unavailable message. ?? It's very sporadic! Thank you for any assistance!

 

[lie2me]

Red Network Accounts Unavailable

Without any centralized login authorization, just a LAN -

I see the red dot with "network accounts unavailable" on a Power PC Macbook running Mac OSX 10.5.8.

I see the green dot with "network accounts available" on an Intel Macbook running Mac OSX 10.6.5.

Apple's old Power PC computers can't be upgrade to Mac OSX 10.6.

I suspect there is an issue with the version of OSX and the older hardware with these "network accounts unavailable" messages.

You may want to check the type of hardware and versions of Mac OSX that are being used. Try a computer with the latest hardware and software to see if that is sucsessful.

Good luck.