Intermittant problem browsing Windows shares

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mrjulian

Intermittant problem browsing Windows shares

Post by mrjulian »

Hi

I have a problem browsing Windows shares - sometimes they appear in Nemo, sometimes they don't!
This has been with me for some time now. I had the problem with 18.1 and (I think) with 18, and now also with 18.2

I have not done anything to configure Mint to see these shares - it works (sometimes) out of the box.

In Nemo I click on the Network link in the Network section in the left hand panel.
When it works I see a Windows Network icon, and my printer, and also each Windows device on the LAN that is switched on (there are 2 Win10 PCs here) and my NAS box (an ancient Buffalo Terastation).
When I have the problem all I see is the Windows Network icon and the printer.
In either case if I double click on the Windows Network icon there is nothing in it.
I did not experience the problem for about a month - and actually got round to checking all sorts of stuff while it was working to compare with when it is not ;-)
Then on the 6th December I got the problem and it has been with me ever since. (You might be able to tell that it takes me a while to get round to things, like posting here for help).
When I do have the problem I can type the share I want into the location bar in Nemo to access it, (e.g. smb://192.168.253.149/share/ ) so it's not stopping me working.

About me:
I used to be a Windows NT admin many years ago, but at home started fiddling with Linux. I quickly ditched Windows and have not used it at home since. I have tried various distros (Fedora, Ubuntu etc...) but really like Mint. I have not got the knowledge of Linux that I once had with Windows though.
Since I stopped being a Windows admin I moved into networking (Cisco, Checkpoint, Palo Alto...) which I did for about 15 years. I have now retired from IT.
So, although I still don't know a lot about Linux, I do know about networking :-)

My computer - is an old workhorse. It has been with me for about 8 years and still going strong, as you can see:

Code: Select all

julian@QDM-linux2 ~ $ inxi -Fxz
System:    Host: QDM-linux2 Kernel: 4.8.0-53-generic x86_64 (64 bit gcc: 5.4.0)
           Desktop: Cinnamon 3.4.3 (Gtk 3.18.9-1ubuntu3.3)
           Distro: Linux Mint 18.2 Sonya
Machine:   Mobo: Intel model: D946GZIS v: AAD83227-402
           Bios: Intel v: TS94610J.86A.0087.2007.1107.1049 date: 11/07/2007
CPU:       Single core Intel Celeron 420 (-UP-) cache: 512 KB
           flags: (lm nx sse sse2 sse3 ssse3) bmips: 3196 speed: 1598 MHz (max)
Graphics:  Card: Intel 82946GZ/GL Integrated Graphics Controller
           bus-ID: 00:02.0
           Display Server: X.Org 1.18.4 drivers: intel (unloaded: fbdev,vesa)
           Resolution: 1680x1050@59.95hz
           GLX Renderer: Mesa DRI Intel 946GZ
           GLX Version: 2.1 Mesa 12.0.6 Direct Rendering: Yes
Audio:     Card-1 Intel NM10/ICH7 Family High Definition Audio Controller
           driver: snd_hda_intel bus-ID: 00:1b.0
           Card-2 Creative Labs CA0106 Soundblaster
           driver: snd_ca0106 port: 1140 bus-ID: 04:00.0
           Sound: Advanced Linux Sound Architecture v: k4.8.0-53-generic
Network:   Card-1: Realtek RTL8169 PCI Gigabit Ethernet Controller
           driver: r8169 v: 2.3LK-NAPI port: 1000 bus-ID: 04:01.0
           IF: enp4s1 state: up speed: 1000 Mbps duplex: full mac: <filter>
           Card-2: Intel PRO/100 VE Network Connection
           driver: e100 v: 3.5.24-k2-NAPI port: 1100 bus-ID: 04:08.0
           IF: enp4s8 state: down mac: <filter>
Drives:    HDD Total Size: 500.1GB (3.4% used)
           ID-1: /dev/sda model: WDC_WD5003ABYX size: 500.1GB
Partition: ID-1: / size: 455G used: 13G (3%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sda1
           ID-2: swap-1 size: 4.28GB used: 0.00GB (0%) fs: swap dev: /dev/sda5
RAID:      No RAID devices: /proc/mdstat, md_mod kernel module present
Sensors:   System Temperatures: cpu: 46.0C mobo: N/A
           Fan Speeds (in rpm): cpu: N/A
Info:      Processes: 177 Uptime: 1:15 Memory: 1487.5/3940.9MB
           Init: systemd runlevel: 5 Gcc sys: 5.4.0
           Client: Shell (bash 4.3.481) inxi: 2.2.35 
Not sure if you can tell from this output, but I'm using GNOME.

I followed the checklist in Samba Browsing Problems Checklist
viewtopic.php?f=42&t=88146&start=0
and here is the output of all the tests it required. The output for all of these commands is the same whether I can browse the shares or not - except for one command - smbtree returns no data when I have the problem.

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$ sudo service smbd status
● smbd.service
   Loaded: not-found (Reason: No such file or directory)
   Active: inactive (dead)
$
$ sudo service nmbd status
● nmbd.service
   Loaded: not-found (Reason: No such file or directory)
   Active: inactive (dead)
$
$ hostname
QDM-linux2
$
$ cat /etc/samba/smb.conf | grep order
# smb.conf(5) manual page in order to understand the options listed
$
$ cat hosts
127.0.0.1	localhost
127.0.1.1	QDM-linux2

# The following lines are desirable for IPv6 capable hosts
::1     ip6-localhost ip6-loopback
fe00::0 ip6-localnet
ff00::0 ip6-mcastprefix
ff02::1 ip6-allnodes
ff02::2 ip6-allrouters
$
$ cat lmhosts
cat: lmhosts: No such file or directory
$
$ sudo ufw status
Status: inactive
$
$
$
$ sudo nmap -sS -sU -T4 192.168.253.149

Starting Nmap 7.01 ( https://nmap.org ) at 2017-11-06 19:36 CET
Warning: 192.168.253.149 giving up on port because retransmission cap hit (6).

Nmap scan report for 192.168.253.149
Host is up (0.00014s latency).
Not shown: 1934 closed ports, 50 open|filtered ports
PORT      STATE SERVICE
80/tcp    open  http
139/tcp   open  netbios-ssn
445/tcp   open  microsoft-ds
515/tcp   open  printer
548/tcp   open  afp
873/tcp   open  rsync
3689/tcp  open  rendezvous
8000/tcp  open  http-alt
8080/tcp  open  http-proxy
8873/tcp  open  dxspider
9666/tcp  open  unknown
22939/tcp open  unknown
58080/tcp open  unknown
69/udp    open  tftp
137/udp   open  netbios-ns
5353/udp  open  zeroconf
MAC Address: 00:16:01:BB:19:3E (Buffalo.inc)

Nmap done: 1 IP address (1 host up) scanned in 944.95 seconds
$
$
$
#####
##### this smbtree output is from when the browsing worked
#####
$ smbtree
Enter julian's password: 
WORKGROUP
	\\QDM-W8KITCHEN  		
		\\QDM-W8KITCHEN\Users          	
		\\QDM-W8KITCHEN\IPC$           	Remote IPC
		\\QDM-W8KITCHEN\Ddrive$        	
		\\QDM-W8KITCHEN\D$             	Default share
		\\QDM-W8KITCHEN\C$             	Default share
		\\QDM-W8KITCHEN\ADMIN$         	Remote Admin
	\\HS-DHTGL93E    		TeraStation
		\\HS-DHTGL93E\ADMIN$         	IPC Service ("TeraStation")
		\\HS-DHTGL93E\IPC$           	IPC Service ("TeraStation")
		\\HS-DHTGL93E\LBV            	
		\\HS-DHTGL93E\speech         	
		\\HS-DHTGL93E\pictures       	
		\\HS-DHTGL93E\music          	
		\\HS-DHTGL93E\mp3            	
		\\HS-DHTGL93E\comedy         	
		\\HS-DHTGL93E\share          	
		\\HS-DHTGL93E\info           	TeraStation Utilities
		\\HS-DHTGL93E\lp             	Network Printer for Windows
	\\DESKTOP-8I8FT47	
$
$
$ smbclient -L 192.168.253.149
WARNING: The "syslog" option is deprecated
Enter julian's password: 
Domain=[WORKGROUP] OS=[Unix] Server=[Samba 3.0.21c]

	Sharename       Type      Comment
	---------       ----      -------
	lp              Printer   Network Printer for Windows
	info            Disk      TeraStation Utilities
	share           Disk      
	comedy          Disk      
	mp3             Disk      
	music           Disk      
	pictures        Disk      
	speech          Disk      
	LBV             Disk      
	IPC$            IPC       IPC Service ("TeraStation")
	ADMIN$          IPC       IPC Service ("TeraStation")
Domain=[WORKGROUP] OS=[Unix] Server=[Samba 3.0.21c]

	Server               Comment
	---------            -------
	DESKTOP-8I8FT47      
	HS-DHTGL93E          TeraStation
	QDM-W8KITCHEN        

	Workgroup            Master
	---------            -------
	WORKGROUP            HS-DHTGL93E
$
$
$
$ cd /etc/network
/etc/network $ cat interfaces
# interfaces(5) file used by ifup(8) and ifdown(8)
auto lo
iface lo inet loopback
$
$
$
$ cat /etc/NetworkManager/NetworkManager.conf
[main]
plugins=ifupdown,keyfile,ofono
dns=dnsmasq

[ifupdown]
managed=false

gvfs-backends is installed

Quite a long post for my first one - I hope that I have given all the information you might need to be able to help me.
Thanks
Julian
Last edited by LockBot on Wed Dec 28, 2022 7:16 am, edited 1 time in total.
Reason: Topic automatically closed 6 months after creation. New replies are no longer allowed.
mrjulian

Re: Intermittant problem browsing Windows shares

Post by mrjulian »

Update: Today the Windows boxes appear in Nemo once more, and also in smbtree. Needless to say, no changes have been made.

Julian
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Re: Intermittant problem browsing Windows shares

Post by coffee412 »

Have you gone into the windows boxes and turned off the power management for the network cards? Perhaps the nics are going to sleep and that would keep them from being seen on the network.
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mrjulian

Re: Intermittant problem browsing Windows shares

Post by mrjulian »

Hi. Yes, the windows boxes can be in use but not visible, and the Buffalo NAS box is always on!
altair4
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Re: Intermittant problem browsing Windows shares

Post by altair4 »

I have a feeling this is a networking problem not a samba problem. Samba issues I understand - more or less - networking issues not so much ......

You say you followed the Samba Browsing Problems Checklist yet your output of this command says you did not:
$ cat /etc/samba/smb.conf | grep order
# smb.conf(5) manual page in order to understand the options listed
$
Take a look at your /etc/samba/smb.conf file again and make sure that the following line is present - under the workgroup = WORKGROUP line:

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name resolve order = bcast host lmhosts wins
Maybe you have the line but preceded it with a # sign which commented it out so it's not being used.

Some random observations:
$ sudo service smbd status
● smbd.service
Loaded: not-found (Reason: No such file or directory)
Active: inactive (dead)
$
$ sudo service nmbd status
● nmbd.service
Loaded: not-found (Reason: No such file or directory)
Active: inactive (dead)
You either don't have samba - the server package - installed or it's grossly misconfigured. You don't need the server package installed if you do not want to share your Mint folders to others. If you did install it run this command so that we can see how you are set up:

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testparm -s
According to the output of nmap run against the ip address of the Buffalo device it has an mDNS port open:
5353/udp open zeroconf
MAC Address: 00:16:01:BB:19:3E (Buffalo.inc)
Open a terminal on your Mint machine and enter:

Code: Select all

nemo smb://HS-DHTGL93E.local
And don't forget the .localat the end
If you gain access to the device you might want to Bookmark it in nemo.

Come to think of it you can do the same thing with your Win10 boxes but it will require a firewall rule change - in Win10:
Win10, Linux, mDNS, and Samba File Sharing
Please add a [SOLVED] at the end of your original subject header if your question has been answered and solved.
mrjulian

Re: Intermittant problem browsing Windows shares

Post by mrjulian »

Hi

Sorry it's taken so long to respond - was away for Christmas / New Year, then came back home with the flu. Also I have not had the problem since! But today it is back, so looking into the suggestions.

I have not changed the smb.conf file at all since I installed Mint. The Global Settings section looks like this:

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#======================= Global Settings =======================

[global]

## Browsing/Identification ###

# Change this to the workgroup/NT-domain name your Samba server will part of
   workgroup = WORKGROUP

# server string is the equivalent of the NT Description field
	server string = %h server (Samba, Ubuntu)

# Windows Internet Name Serving Support Section:
# WINS Support - Tells the NMBD component of Samba to enable its WINS Server
#   wins support = no

# WINS Server - Tells the NMBD components of Samba to be a WINS Client
# Note: Samba can be either a WINS Server, or a WINS Client, but NOT both
;   wins server = w.x.y.z

# This will prevent nmbd to search for NetBIOS names through DNS.
   dns proxy = no
   
As I said before, most of the time I can browse the shares on the Buffalo NAS and on the Windows boxes. No changes have been made to anything since yesterday, when I could browse the shares, but today I cannot.
You either don't have samba - the server package - installed or it's grossly misconfigured. You don't need the server package installed if you do not want to share your Mint folders to others
I don't think I have Samba running at all (see the output of service smbd status in my original post). I do not want to share my Mint folders to anything else, I just want to see other shares from my Mint box.


Running nemo smb://HS-DHTGL93E.local from a terminal window does show all the shares, even today when I can't browse them. I have been using smb://192.168.253.149/share/ to achieve this when the browsing is not working, but your suggestion is more concise - thanks.
I'm still baffled as to why Nemo can browse the shares some days but not others!
altair4
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Re: Intermittant problem browsing Windows shares

Post by altair4 »

altair4 wrote:Take a look at your /etc/samba/smb.conf file again and make sure that the following line is present - under the workgroup = WORKGROUP line:

Code: Select all

name resolve order = bcast host lmhosts wins
That line is still missing in your smb.conf.
mrjulian wrote:Running nemo smb://HS-DHTGL93E.local from a terminal window does show all the shares, even today when I can't browse them. I have been using smb://192.168.253.149/share/ to achieve this when the browsing is not working, but your suggestion is more concise - thanks
altair4 wrote:Come to think of it you can do the same thing with your Win10 boxes but it will require a firewall rule change - in Win10:
Win10, Linux, mDNS, and Samba File Sharing
Please add a [SOLVED] at the end of your original subject header if your question has been answered and solved.
mrjulian

Re: Intermittant problem browsing Windows shares

Post by mrjulian »

Thanks for the response

I've not had the problem since your post - as soon as I do, I'll make the change and see if it makes the difference.
Come to think of it you can do the same thing with your Win10 boxes but it will require a firewall rule change - in Win10:
Win10, Linux, mDNS, and Samba File Sharing
Thanks, but I'm not interested in opening a Windows PC share from Mint - I just mentioned that whenever I cannot see the Buffalo NAS server, I also cannot see the Windows boxes - another symptom of the same problem, indicating that it looks like a Mint problem rather than a Buffalo one.

Julian
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