Windows keeps asking for Network Password to access computer

dre2112 · 21 Oct 2011

I have a small home network set up with 4 PCs (1 laptop & 3 desktop). I can see all my computers in my networks but I cannot connect to one of my desktops using my laptop. All the other computers/laptops can read and transfer files without a problem except for the laptop connecting to one of the PCs.

Both the laptop and the PC that is asking for a network password are on the same version of Windows 7 Home. I have file and printer sharing enabled. All are on the same workgroup. I have firewall off and I have turned off password protected sharing yet when I try to connect or print from my laptop to the one PC it asks for a password and I can't figure out why.

This only started recently a week ago. Prior to that never had this problem and shared files/printer without a problem

dre2112 · 24 Oct 2011

Anyone?

MilesAhead · 24 Oct 2011

Do you have a restore point older than the problem on the PC that has the problem? Most likely some registry setting changed. Unless you had a power glitch. Restore point is the easiest fix to try.

Other thing is did you install any OS updates when the problem started? If so I'd try to back them off.

dre2112 · 24 Oct 2011

Ya, I tried system restore but it was a newer PC and the setting was disabled

MilesAhead · 24 Oct 2011

Have you checked all the settings? I noticed some software will do stuff like turn firewall on or make other changes without asking. Nothing else is coming to mind. Hopefully someone more network savvy will chime in.

Don't ask me why but one thing I found useful when trying to get XP and Vista/W7 to network with no passwords was to not share any folders at first. Just use the default shared folders, All Users and Public. For some bizarre reason it seemed like once I got those going, then I could enable sharing on a regular folder. Go figure! :) I'm just grasping at straws at this point.