Won't discover other computers


  1. Posts : 5
    Win-7 64-bit
       #1

    Won't discover other computers


    I have a problem many people seem to have and I have spent many hours/days trying to fix it unsuccessfully. I have one Win-7 SP1 64-bit computer and several other Win-XP SP-3 32-bit computers on a gigabit home network with a Linksys RVS 4000 router.
    • All computers have the same workgroup.
    • All computers have internet access.
    • All XP computers CAN ping the other XP computers and the XP computers CAN browse to the other XP computers by entering the IP address: \\192.168.blah.blah.
    • The Win-7 computer CAN ping the XP computers and CAN browse to the XP computers by entering the IP address: \\192.168.blah.blah.
    • The XP computers CANNOT ping the Win-7 computer and CANNOT browse to the Win-7 computer by entering the IP address: \\192.168.blah.blah.
    • IP6 is DISABLED on the Win-7 machine.
    • Netbios is ENABLED on all machines.
    • Win-7 computer is set to Home Network and all Advanced Sharing Settings permissions are ON; Network Discovery, ON; File and Printer Sharing, ON; Public Folder Sharing, ON.
    • Win-7 computer shows HomeGroup as Joined and will not let me leave the HomeGroup.
    • Windows firewall on XP computers is disabled. Norton firewall is up, but it has always been up and I have tried disabling it with no change. Win-7 computer does not have Norton yet and I have not fooled with Security Essentials.
    I don't know exactly when it started happening, but:
    • The computers do not show each other on the Windows Explorer Network page, In the Win-XP computers, only the folders that were added manually do show up. But there is no AUTOMATIC discovery.
    • The XP computers all get an error if I try to access the workgroup from Network Neighborhood by exploring for computers, saying the Workgroup server is not available or I don't have access.
    • The Win-7 network screen only shows the Win-7 computer itself and none of the XP computers. It also shows other network devices as it should, however.
    • At times, although I can't replicate it right now, the XP computers will show the others, but won't show the Win-7 computer, if I go through the network connection set up wizard in IE8. If i reboot, the access seems to go away...but I cannot make them show up now.
    • At times, but not now, I have been able to see all network computers on the Win-7 computer.
    I have tried everything I can find, including changing one networking key in the registry on the XP machines from an 8 to a 1. This worked for other people, but didn't change anything for me.

    Any suggestions would be appreciated.
    Last edited by brossyg; 13 Mar 2011 at 13:45.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 9,606
    Win7 Enterprise, Win7 x86 (Ult 7600), Win7 x64 Ult 7600, TechNet RTM on AMD x64 (2.8Ghz)
       #2

    Welcome brossyg



    You are using a Business type network (WorkGroup) right ? Not the new win7 Homegroup ? Have you gone over the settings in the win7 computer. Here is mine:
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Won't discover other computers-network_options.jpg   Won't discover other computers-network_options2.jpg   Won't discover other computers-network_computers_13.jpg  
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 5
    Win-7 64-bit
    Thread Starter
       #3

    My Network is set to Home network and my Advanced Sharing Settings are all the same as yours, except for media streaming (mine is on). I tried changing it to a Work Network and refreshed the computer list (also rebooted) and nothing changed. Also, this wouldn't account for the lack of discovery on the XP machines.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 9,606
    Win7 Enterprise, Win7 x86 (Ult 7600), Win7 x64 Ult 7600, TechNet RTM on AMD x64 (2.8Ghz)
       #4

    8 of the above computers are XP, 5 are win7. On the win7 computers I have to set sharing on the individual folders I want shared. Share with Specific people, then Add Everyone , then save with the Share button at the bottom.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 5
    Win-7 64-bit
    Thread Starter
       #5

    DocBrown,

    Yes...this is how I did it as well. Howver, this is folder specific and shouldn't effect how the Network discovery works....should it? My problem is that Network discovery is being blocked somehow. I have no problem sharing files once I navigate to another computer via the IP, but in the Network Neighbor hood, the computers are not displayed automatically as they should be.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 2,913
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1
       #6

    Instead of disabling Norton, remove it and reboot. Configure the XP (and Windows 7) firewall to default settings. See what happens.

    Also, on the Windows 7 computer, hit the Windows key and type "homegroup", then press enter. Do you get a message saying there is currently no homegroup on the network, or do you get a different message?
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 5
    Win-7 64-bit
    Thread Starter
       #7

    Will try uninstalling Norton, but when I type homegroup in, it says "This Computer belongs to a homegroup." and then goes on to say that i haven't shared any libraries with your home group."
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 9,606
    Win7 Enterprise, Win7 x86 (Ult 7600), Win7 x64 Ult 7600, TechNet RTM on AMD x64 (2.8Ghz)
       #8

    Sounds like your win7 computer is still setup as the New win7 Homegroup. This won't share with XP computers.

    Try this tutorial Homegroup - Leave

    Then set up you network as a Work Network
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 5
    Win-7 64-bit
    Thread Starter
       #9

    OK...

    I completely uninstalled Norton on one of the XP computers. I can now ping the Win-7 computer using the IP address from the XP computer, but if I try to view the workgroup in the network part of in Windows Explorer, it still tells me I don't have access and that "A list of servers for this workgroup is not currently available."

    Also, I have tried and tried to leave the homegroup on the Win-7 conmputer and I get "Windows couldn't remove your computer from the homegroup." no matter what I try.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 2,913
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1
       #10

    Some people have had success fixing this problem by running the home group troubleshooter. Some have had a firewall config problem that, when corrected, allowed the Windows 7 computer to leave the home group. Give that a shot.
      My Computer


 

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