NAS server not visible

Hi there

1) First ensure W10 computer has Computer Dscovery settings enabled.

2) from menu enter RUN

3) in the popup box enter \\IPaddress or \\NASservername

you should then see the shared files on the nas server

Windows networking is always dodgy -- sometimes everything works 100% then on one computer identical to others nothing works properly !!!!.

Example Windows computer - Greyfox, Nas server computer name - Brownbear. Brownbear (Nas server) not showing in Computers in Network on file explorer.







An advantage also in using PLEX is that some smart TV's can handle PLEX directly via their built in apps - especially if the smart TV has built in Android OS. Plex is also good for Chromecast devices too (max resolution though limited to full 1080p HD - 4K UHD is possible with PLEX but not via a chromecast device).


The Nas server in my case is a computer running Centos 7 OS (Linux -- approx. equiv to Red Hat Enterprise). Network connections via SAMBA and PLEX media server for multi media files. PLEX media server runs easily on most versions of Linux. Same AFAIK with dedicated NAS boxes too using QNAP or whatever the standard OS is. I just find using CENTOS (Free excellent robust Linux distro) for my server system is just so much more flexible than a dedicated NAS system - however the principle is identical - SAMBA is probably being used on the server box in any case.

Incidentally PLEX will also serve sound - especially FLAC to remote Wifi speakers too -- I'm using Bose Wifi speakers -- much superior to blu tooth -- for decent sound Wifi is viable -- Bluetooth is HIDEOUS by comparison. For the Bose app (runs on mobile phone too) use Sound Touch app on the phone and then select music from your Plex media server music library --works brilliantly.







BTW -if all else fails you might need to enable NETBIOS -- you shouldn't have to these days but depending on how old the OS on your NAS server is you might need it enabled (on Windows).


Cheers
jimbo