Symptom
Connecting to one Mac OS 9 computer works as expected, but when you try to connect to another Mac OS 9-based computer via file sharing over IP, a message appears that you are already connected to the computer.
Example: Computer A (using Mac OS X) is connected to Computer B (using Mac OS 9) via file sharing over IP. Computer A then tries to connect to Computer C (using Mac OS 9) via IP, but it is unable to because an alert appears that it is already connected to Computer B.
Solution
This issue occurs when a Mac OS 9 Users & Groups Data File is copied from one computer to another, and used by both. Follow these steps on one of the Mac OS 9-based computers:
1. Turn off file sharing.
2. Delete the Users & Groups Data File (in the Preferences folder of the Mac OS 9 System Folder).
3. Use the File Sharing control panel to recreate the users and groups.
4. Turn on file sharing.
The Users & Groups Data File contains the list of user and group accounts on a Mac OS 9 computer. It also contains data that serves as a "unique identifier" for the computer when file sharing via IP is on. If this file is copied between two computers, they will appear to be the same to Mac OS 9 and Mac OS X clients.
Related documents
106461: "
Mac OS X: File Sharing"
106657: "
Mac OS 8, Mac OS 9: File Sharing"
106658: "
Macintosh: How to Create a Small Ethernet Network"