===== Error -36 When Connecting To Windows Server =====


When connecting to some (older) Windows servers you may get this message.

''The Finder cannot complete the operation because some of the data in smb://........ could not be read or written. (Error code -36).
''


The most likely reason for this error is that the authentication handshake failed because the server only accepts clear text passwords. If you run 'Console' (Applications/Utilties) you should see :-

''mount_smbfs: session setup phase failed''

If you see that then you almost certainly have a problem with a server not accepting encrypted passwords. This is the fix.

  - Make sure that you are not currently connected to any Samba or Windows (SMB/CIFS) servers and that you do not have any Samba or Windows-related error messages open.
  - Open the Terminal (/Applications/Utilities/).
  - At the prompt, type: sudo pico /etc/nsmb.conf
  - Press Return.
  - Enter your password when prompted, then press <key>Return</key> again.
  - You should see an empty file and a "New File" notice at the bottom of the pico window. If you do not see the "New File" notice, this file already exists.
  - Enter the following into the file so that it appears as follows:  
     ''[default]  
     minauth=none''  
  - Save the file (press <key>Control-O</key>), press <key>Return</key>, then exit pico (<key>Control-X</key>).
  - Type: ''sudo chmod a+r /etc/nsmb.conf''
  - Press Return.
  - Restart your computer.

After having done this find the administrator of the server and get them to fix the set up so that it accepts encrypted passwords. This is a security hole. You don't need to reverse the above fix when the server is fixed as the Mac will try encrypted first.

(Yes, I know I could fix this in the image but I'd prefer to find broken servers and file sharing in the faculties leaving the Macs more secure. <g>)