can't enable file sharing?

[Doug Lassiter]

I'm confused.

iMac 10.6.8.

Can't check the "File Sharing" box in Sys Preferences/Sharing. I used to have this enabled, long ago, but somehow it turned off. Haven't used it in a while. I can check everything else on that screen. Why can't I enable file sharing?? (Can't even do it as Administrator.) This is kind of aggravating, though maybe I'm just being stupid.

[trevor]

You should be able to check the box to enable File Sharing. If you can't, I suspect that some component of your operating system has been removed or disabled in some way.

First, check your logs for error messages that appear when you attempt to click the box. You can easily view logs with your 'Console' app, found in /Applications/Utilities. If the error messages point to anything specific, reinstall that item from your latest backup that includes it. Time Machine can be very helpful in this regard.

Second, try reinstalling the OS X 10.6.8 Combo Update v1.1 overtop of your existing installation, then trying again.

Trevor

[Doug Lassiter]

OK, each time I try to check the "File Sharing" box, and it refuses to put a check mark there, the following messages appear on my console.

com.apple.coreservicesd[41] bind(): Address already in use
com.apple.coreservicesd[41] launch_msg(): Socket is not connected

I will try the Combo Update.

[hayne]

You didn't mention if you have tried just restarting your Mac.

[Doug Lassiter]

Quote: Originally Posted by hayne You didn't mention if you have tried just restarting your Mac.

Er, yes. I really should have done that immediately. I didn't. Now that I did, everything is normal again, and I have complete control of file sharing. Sigh.

That was the "just being stupid" part, I guess. Interesting that just that part of the system can get hosed.

[hayne]

Quote: Originally Posted by Doug Lassiter Interesting that just that part of the system can get hosed.

The error message you quoted indicates that the problem was that some other program was already using the network ports that are usually used for file sharing. This might have been due to a system bug but it is more likely due to some 3rd-party utility that you have installed.

[Doug Lassiter]

Quote: Originally Posted by hayne more likely due to some 3rd-party utility that you have installed.

Thanks. I don't install a lot of 3rd party stuff, but I'll keep that in mind if this happens again.

[hayne]

If it happens again, you should try to get more info about the problem by using one of the utilities that show you which program is using which network ports.