Windows 7: Why is Windows so bad at networking

I have a small three PC home network. Two PC are running Windows 7 and one running Vista.

All three machines have the same homegroup settings. The ability to view machines on the network is very patchy. One machine can see the others, while another machine can only see one other machine. Sometimes machines cannot see any others on the network.

All machines are connected wirelessly with strong signals through a BT 2700HGV Business Hub router. All of the machines can access the internet without problems.

All machines run Eset Smart Security with the Windows firewall is turned off.




Any advice to create a stable network would be appreciated.



The Captain

Have you tried Homegroups over IPv6? Or are you using an old-school IPv4 network?

Btw, welcome to the forums. Asking a question if the form of a troll generally isn't helpful. But since it's your first post, I won't publicly flog you and force you into therapy.

Hi Captain,

My advice, Stop using the RC (7100) and use the RTM (7600) where all these bugs are fixed and all features are complete and stable

Steven

Does the RTM allow an 'upgrade' to let me keep all of my programs and settings?

you are kidding about the stable part, right? LOL

Seriously though, a brand new PC, supports Windows 7 per the manufacturer, yet the networking is HORRIBLE, can't keep a connection, etc. I am having to revert back to Vista Business 64 bit b/c Windows 7 in my opinion is a piece of garbage right now.

Hopefully by the time October rolls around, they will have a service pack out to fix the crazy things.

Well, let's see what we have here...

Remember that public flogging I mentioned earlier? Especially that part about asking for help in the form of a troll?

Strike One.

Secondly, you find yourself among a group of highly knowledgeable people who have been using Windows 7 for over a year, in many cases. Trust me, if there's an issue, it can resolved here. Even your silly and "HORRIBLE" networking issue.

Strike Two.

You're running what can be describe, at best, a very early RC. That is, software that has greatly matured since that inception. Does it occur to you that, perhaps, you're running into issues that have already long been resolved? These "crazy things" you want to point out only exist in your environment. The rest of us have installed countless builds since 7100 and matured along with the OS.

Strike Three.

Upgrade to 7600...

Capt S

Hi and welcome. I realize you are new here and jusst wanted to give you a heads up. You would get alot more feedback if you hadn't started with why is win 7 so bad at networking. I have experience in both ends of the spectrum. A small homegroup (5 computers) and a huge workgroup/domain. If you really look at win 7 network problems here you will see that most are from ppl who are relatively new to the OS.

Is win 7 networking perfect, nope but its not even released yet.

Ken

I dont think vista supports homegroup, Only windows 7 supports Homegroup.
As the three machines can access Internet then your network connection is ok.
The problem is that one of our machine is running vista it is obvious that the vista machine machine will not see other two Windows 7 machine and the other two machine also cannot see vista machine.


Sourav.

You need to put the machines in WORKGROUP.. not HOMEGROUP.. it's a difference.

Like my colleague above mentioned, HOMEGROUP only works on Windows 7.