I help a non-technical nonprofit with using FM (since FM 2) but at a distance. I just received this appeal for help:

"There is a intermittent problem with the front e-mac and the server e-mac. When we access the files on the Filemaker Server 8 by opening Filemaker 7 and then opening remote in the file menu. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. The dialog box opens up but none of the files on the server e-mac show up in either the local server or the favorite server. It is programed to show up in the local server. No other computer in the office seems to have this problem."

The "server eMac" hosts FM 8 Server and the "front eMac" is host to the shared documents, etc. from all applications. The "other" computers (4) are Indigo iMacs. All machines are on OS 10.3.9.

Can anyone get me started on a potential solution while I get more information from the users?

First, an eMac is a very poor choice for a CPU to run FileMaker Server. I'd recommend a more reliable machine.

Second, the CPU running FileMaker Server needs a static IP address. The problem you're describing is symptomatic of a dynamically assigned IP address.

Third, it is possible that there are problems with cables, ports on the hub/switch, network cards on the eMac, etc. These have to be ruled out largely by the process of elimination.

Steven

there is tech info article 6099 "cannot see hosted databases"

http://filemaker.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/filemaker.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=6099&p_sid=9N3S7Aci&p_lva=6097&p_accessibility=0&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPTEmcF9zb3J0X2J5PSZwX2dyaWRzb3J0PSZwX3Jvd19jbnQ9MTQ0JnBfcHJvZHM9MCZwX2NhdHM9JnBfcHY9JnBfY3Y9JnBfc2VhcmNoX3R5cGU9YW5zd2Vycy5zZWFyY2hfbmwmcF9wYWdlPTEmcF9zZWFyY2hfdGV4dD1yZW1vdGUgZmlsZXM%2A&p_li=#

also, check if that one client machine has a fixed IP address

you could try running a "demo" copy of FM8 on the EMac client. Mixing & matching the various FM versions ( & mac hardware ) can have unpredictable results