Symptom
1. Clients cannot connect to the server as expected.
2. Clients connect to a computer that is not the desired server.
3. The Apple File Service log, accessible with the Log Viewer feature of Server Admin, contains the message:
"AppleTalk service couldn't be enabled."
Solution
Each computer sharing files with AppleShare must have a unique Computer Name. The Computer Name field for Mac OS X Server is located in the Server Admin application. For Mac OS 9 and Mac OS X (client), the Computer Name field is located in the Sharing panel.
The exact order of operations required to address this situation in the least number of steps can vary depending on which computer you wish to rename, but these steps cover all situations:
1. Identify all computers that share the same Computer Name.
2. Stop AppleShare (AFP, File Sharing, Apple File Services) on all computers you have identified.
3. Give each computer a unique Computer Name.
4. Restart AppleShare (AFP, File Sharing, Apple File Services) on all computers.