Intermittent network connection problem

[Fred Roller]

Jim Byrnes wrote:
> I have only been a Ubuntu(9.10) user for about a week now so my
> terminology may not be completely correct.
>   

No problem, welcome to the community.
> I need to be able to connect to Ubuntu from my other machine that runs
> OS/2 and about half the time I can. Other times OS/2 responds that the
> network path is incorrect despite the fact that it is correct.  The
> times that I can connect if I go to the network places  with the network
> -> file browser I see 2 entries. One is a windows network entry with a
> file folder for an icon and the other I assume is an unix-nfs entry that
> has an icon that looks like a server rack
>   

I am assuming that by "connecting" you are just trying to get a network 
shared folder.  Without knowing how your network is setup I will also 
assume each machine has a share for moving documents.  Does the windows 
system have the same trouble with the ubuntu?
> The times I cannot connect the unix-nfs entry is missing.  I have looked
> for ways to enable it but have been unsuccessful.  So far the only
> solution is to reboot until I get a connection.
>
> I don't understand why sometimes I can connect and others I cannot. Any
> help would be appreciated.
>
> Regards,  Jim
>   

I don't know why OS/2 would have the connectivity problem.  Have you set 
up "Samba" on the Ubuntu sytem?  Samba is a windows compatible file 
sharing setup, read more here 
http://www.samba.org/samba/what_is_samba.html .   If you have not set up 
Samba it's easy:

    1. Right click on your desktop and choose "Create Folder"
    2. Name it "Share Ubuntu"
    3. Right click this folder and choose "Sharing Options"
    4. For now check ALL three boxes

At this point if you do /not/ have Samba installed on your system you 
will be prompted to do so.  Once Samba is done then the "Share Ubuntu" 
folder should have a hand under it indicating sharing.  If not then just 
repeat steps 3 and 4 again.

Go to your other system and go to "My Network" (or equivalent) you 
should see your folder in "Workgroup".  If this proves stable for you 
then repeat as necessary on the folders you want to share from Ubuntu.  
Good luck and let us know how it goes.

-- 
Fred
www.fwrgallery.com

"Life is like linux, simple.  If you are fighting it you are doing something wrong."