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#1
Win 7 Explorer Not Show Network Drive
I am having a weird problem with networking in Windows 7 x64. I have a router based network that has my Internet connection, a Synology NAS device, a Thecus NAS device, and a Lexmark networked printer along with my computers. All of these devices except the computers stay on all the time (on UPS power). Normally, when I boot up my Win 7 computer, open Windows Explorer from the permanent icon, and select to expand the Network, I see all the devices by name. However, my computer was away for a week getting repaired, and when I booted up after its return Explorer only showed the computer and the Synology NAS (named DS211J). I tried rebooting, but the same thing happened. In particular, the Thecus device (named n7700pro) is no where to be found. After some trials, I discovered that, if I type the exact name of the Thecus NAS (\\n7700pro) in the top bar of Explorer, I get a logon screen, and the device now shows up under Network and its folders are showing in Explorer. However, this does not last. If I move around and do other things, when I come back to Explorer the n7700pro device is missing again until i manually enter it into the top bar. The only difference to my knowledge is that the Thecus has a fixed IP address and the Synology uses DNS from the router for its address. However, before I sent the computer away, they both showed up every time I login. I am at a loss for what to do. By the way, I have no problem finding the Lexmark networked printer. The Thecus does have Samba/CIFS service enabled.
Interestingly, when I go back to my old Win XP computer (I have been using it while the new one was being repaired), that version of Explorer has an option to show the entire network. I can then select Windows networking and it shows two domains (WORKGROUP - most devices and MYGROUP - N7700pro). Under those domains it shows the NAS drives, and I can access them there. With the Win7 Explorer, however, that option is not available. Explorer presumably automates the discovery of devices and shows all that it found. But when it does not find something, I cannot determine any way to manually show the network as with WIN XP.
I searched on this issue, and found some networking threads, but not this one. Some of the threads I found suggest changing administrative settings for local authentication (mine is undefined), but I don't want to do that unless I am absolutely sure it is the issue because it cannot be reversed. Any advice will be appreciated. Thanks.