W8.1: Can't open files on SMB folder shared by a Mac

Gary King

New Member
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3
I have a PC with Windows 8.1 and a Mac with Mavericks. I have a folder on the Mac that is shared with the PC. When I'm on the PC and I try to open a file that is shared by the Mac, such as an ISO file (a disk image), then I get a message saying that I cannot open the file, or the file is in use (it depends on the app/filetype). I have the same problem when I open a video file. Strangely, text files and PDF files are just fine. And if I copy any of the problematic files to the local Windows disk, then I can open them just fine.

The specific error messages are:

- AVI files opened in VLC: "Your input can't be opened. VLC is unable to open the MRL."
- ISO files opened by Windows Explorer: "Sorry, there was a problem mounting the file."

This only started happening after I upgraded to Windows 8.1 on the PC and Mavericks on the Mac. Mavericks upgraded its SMB version from SMB1 to SMB2, so perhaps that is related?
Does anyone know what the problem might be, and how I could fix it?

Thanks in advance!
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
Welcome to Eight Forums,

The upgrade seems to be an issue in your case. I'd suggest for you to download the latest driver from the manufacturer's site for your network adapter, see if that helps. I don't think that there's a way to revert your Maverick's SMB version.

Please post an update or your progress.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1 Enterprise
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo
    CPU
    Intel i5
Welcome to Eight Forums,

The upgrade seems to be an issue in your case. I'd suggest for you to download the latest driver from the manufacturer's site for your network adapter, see if that helps. I don't think that there's a way to revert your Maverick's SMB version.

Please post an update or your progress.

I already updated my network driver (from Realtek) to the latest one, which supports Windows 8 and 8.1. The problem still occurs.

Here's a few things I noticed:

  • If I put an ISO file on a Windows 7 PC I have, then mount it from my Windows 8.1 PC, then it works.
  • If I put an ISO file on my Mac OS X Mavericks computer, then mount it from my Windows 7 PC, then it works.
  • If I put an ISO file on another Mac OS X Mavericks computer that I have, then mount it from my Windows 8.1 PC, then it does NOT work.

So there seems to essentially be a pretty with Windows 8.1 networking with Macs. I'm not sure if this is only limited to Mac OS X Mavericks, or all Mac operating systems.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
Sorry for the late reply, I just need to confirm that you have the Admin permission from your Windows computer. Also, if I may suggest for you to create a new User Account from both Mac and Windows computer with Admin permission and try to replicate the issue.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1 Enterprise
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo
    CPU
    Intel i5
Yes I have admin permissions on both computers. It's definitely not a permissions issue. I had this problem after upgrading to Windows 8.1. It worked fine before. And text and PDF files work fine still, but not ISO and AVI files.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
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