If you’re like me, you run a MacMini as an HTCP running Boxee, and your main media all resides on a Windows 7 machine.
This never used to be an issue at all, until shortly after Windows 7 launched, microsoft pushed a botched update to users, but we’ll get to that in a moment.
At some point, trying to get Boxee to connect to a Windows 7 network share promted for a username and password, no problem, right? Wrong, because it never worked, even if you entered your proper credentials in. For the longest time I had thought this was a Boxee issue, but boy was I wrong.
It turns out Microsoft pushed an update to “Windows Live Sign-In Assistant” that just BORKED some sources from connecting w/ the proper credentials. The easiest way around this issue is to just uninstall the “Windows Live Sign-In Assistant” That’s right, it’s that simple, just uninstall, and reboot both your HTPC w/ Boxee, and Windows 7 for good measure (Windows 7 reboot is required after the uninstall).
The next time you launch Boxee, go to the network settings and feed it your proper Samba credentials (Windows 7 box’s username and password that has access to the shared) and go from there, from then on out, it shouldn’t even be prompting you for a pass.
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Thanks so much for this post!
I was pulling my hair out trying to isolate the connection issue. I would almost literally never have thought of this. I guess i need to start with specific google searches first next time, rather than just looking to “reset windows 7 samba share”, which had zilch to do with the real problem. I was pretty confused because my work macbook could connect to the smb share just fine, but obviously it’s been patched since April or was more compliant originally.
Ran into this for the first time trying to connect my old Xbox xbmc to the win7 box, so I assumed that it was just being flaky, but it pushed me to research Boxee, and try it out, which gave me the same problem, which eventually led me to your post. Using this current late beta, and getting fed up with nursing an increasingly unsupported 8 yr old mod-job, caused me to preorder the BOXEE box.
Thanks!
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I have been battling with this on and off for a couple months now… thank you!
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Corey DeGrandchamp Reply:
November 23rd, 2010 at 10:25 PM
@Alex, Very welcome!
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Dude, this fixed it!! This issue drove me nuts. Thanks.
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Corey DeGrandchamp Reply:
November 23rd, 2010 at 10:25 PM
@Jeff, not a problem, glad I could be of some help to others, it was driving me nuts too! I’m sure this is helping out some issues with the Boxee Box as well
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Got it figured out. I have to share the whole volume as well as the specific folder on that volume in order for Boxee to be able to browse it.
I am running my SMB Shares from a Win7 Pro machine.
How I got it working:
Create a new Account (On Win7 Pro Machine):
Start > Control Panel > User Accounts > Manage Another Account > Create a New Account (Enter in the name and then go back to this step above (Start > Control Panel > User Accounts > Manage Another Account)) > Create Password.
Enter the password Twice and Save (Add a hint for the account if you want, but pretty pointless for this purpose)
Share the Drive/Volume (On Win7 Pro Machine):
My Computer > Right Click on the Drive/Volume you need to share from> Share With > Advanced Sharing… > Click the Advanced Sharing Button> Check the box to “Share this Folder” Enter a Share name> Permissions > Add > Advanced > Find Now > Search for the user name you created in the “Name (RDN)” Column > Select it and click “OK”> OK > Apply > OK > Apply > OK > OK
Check Your Work (On Win7 Pro Machine):
You should now see that the Folder is marked as “Shared” and if you look at My Computer again, you will see a little square picture with 2 people inside it on the bottom left corner of the Icon for the hard drive you are sharing from
Set Up Sharing (in Boxee):
Settings > Network > SMB Client and entered in the Username / password for the User you created on your Windows 7 box.
Media > Network Sources > Add New Source > Search for the folder you want to Add > Select that folder > Add Source > Choose the settings you desire for this Share
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after that you can use your windows live as well
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Joe Reply:
June 6th, 2011 at 9:09 PM
I tried same method, Sasa. I am using Dune Prime 3.0.
Only way to be able to access my share drive is uninstall Windows Live
I can replace Outlook express with Thunderbird, but Windows messenger..
@Sasa,
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Corey Reply:
June 7th, 2011 at 7:41 AM
@Joe, You can replace Windows Messenger with Pidgin (www.pidgin.im)
however, it’s only the BING BAR and Games for Windows Live, and the sign-in assistant that are currently screwing everything up.
Try removing JUST the Bing Bar and see if your troubles subside.
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Thanks for that solution!
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Corey Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 1:46 PM
@Joey, no problem. I know more recently that the Windows Live Essentials and whatnot mess with things too, as well as IE9…
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You, sir, are a god amongst men. I have been pulling my hair out trying to figure this out. I was able to use the UPnP, but it didn’t show the date the folder was updated and, in fact, was very slow to update (had to open up Windows Media Player just to get it updated).
Thank you for your detective work, and you have made my family very happy!
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finally! thank god! computer was almost through the window. Thanks Corey
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Anonymous Reply:
May 3rd, 2011 at 8:04 AM
@Mark, Not a problem, glad it’s helping people. Another (NEW) issues is that obnoxious Bing Bar as well, if you’re still having issues make sure you uninstall that as well, because it includes the sign-in assistant now.
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Mate, you are a bloody LEGEND !!!!! I have been trying for about 6 months to get the pc and boxee set up. This was exactly what I was after. All the other sites is FarK ed. Thank you and keep up the good stuff.
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