Windows 7: Another Homegroup Problem (Tried Everything)

Hi there,



I've recently switched ISP, and upon doing so I'm no longer able to use a homegroup.
Each ISP provides a modem/router, which is capable of both wireless and wired networking. My setup looks something like:
PC 1 - Desktop Computer, wired in to the router
PC 2 - Laptop Computer, using wireless (on the same router of course) to access the network.

Before making the router switch I was using a homegroup just fine. I'm not sure if the problem herein lies in the router, or the fact that the network itself has been switched.

I've tried everything I've been able to find online, including:
Running the homegroup troubleshooter on both computers
Leaving, and rejoining the homegroup on both computers
Tried hosting the homegroup on each computer
Deleted my idstore.sst file in my "C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Roaming\PeerNetworking" directory on both computers
Ensured that IPv6 Networking was enabled on both computers by checking my registry value
And more that I'm probably forgetting here

I am able to see networked computers upon checking network places.
I am able to create a homegroup on PC 1, and it is detected by PC 2, and upon entering the correct password, PC 2 is unable to join the homegroup, and it gives the error: "Homegroup has encountered an error"
I am UNABLE to detect a homegroup that is created by PC 2. - That is, if I try to make a homegroup hosted by PC 2, PC 1 still says "There is no current homegroup, would you like to create a homegroup" or something along those lines. That makes me think there is a problem somewhere in the network.
I have checked my router by logging in to it and seeing if there's anything that stands out that may not cause problems with this, but I'm not able to see anything.

Upon running "ipconfig" on both computers, they are both in fact connected to the same router, ie "192.168.0.x"

I understand I could use a Workgroup, but that's not the solution I'm looking for. At this point it has come down to frustration with my lack of understanding of what's going on behind the scenes here, and would like to fix this more so for the knowledge.

Any help is appreciated, and I'm able to post any information regarding my machines, though I won't be able to do so until later tonight.

Thanks for the help,

Jordan

Have you checked your firewall on both machines?

See: Download Details - Microsoft Download Center - HomeGroup and Firewall Interaction

Any new anti-virus installed or anything like that which maybe blocking ports?


Dave

Yes, I've checked the firewalls.
As I said, they were working fine before switching out my router with my new isp. I didn't change any machine settings such as firewall.

Any other suggestions?

What's the make an model of your new router?


Dave

You haven't said, but do both computers have Windows 7 on them?

If not, you'll need to configure a WorkGroup.

http://www.microsoft.com/download/en...ng=en&id=17168

If they do both have Windows 7 this comprehensive Microsoft article may help you.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/w...tart-to-finish

Failing that, have you tried another router?

The make and model of the router is

Cisco
DPC3825

I was given it from Shaw when they installed internet the other day.


And as I said previously, I had a homegroup working before the router was swapped out.
So yes, I do have Windows 7 on both machines.

I've also read everything Microsoft has to say about setting up homegroups, and what they described worked perfectly well the first time I set it up, but now there is evidently a setting that has gone wrong, and is not working with the instructions that Microsoft lists.

I don't wish to use another router, as I'm quite sure I'm able to do it with this one. It is a newer model, and I'm quite sure is IPv6 capable. Also, it would be quite cumbersome to install an additional router on top of my modem/router combo.


Very frustrating issue.

Hello,

Temp disable the firewall on your router to see if it is blocking the homegroup port and try again.

If the above doesn't work, Can you plug PC2 into the router via a wire and see if the problem persists?

Have you setup the router with any settings that is not considered a default installation? For example access restriction of WLAN?



Dave

This is a simular problem relating to the routers firewall.
[Solved] HomeGroup Password Issue - config-customize - windows-7

I have tried temporarily disabling it, and I get the same message "Homegroup has encountered an error" upon trying to join it. I also tried joining the network via wire with the firewall down, and there's no change.

Wired or wireless seems to make no difference here.
I've not changed any settings in the router that would cause such, that I know of. WLAN is not restricted.



Also, I looked at the [SOLVED] thread that was posted, and added the ports that the user suggested, still with no avail. Same error.

Anything else?

Hi,

Did you disable your anti-virus software?


Dave