Windows 7: Can't join Homegroup

I've heard a lot of people say how easy and simple it is to join computers to a home group. However, I see here that a lot of other people are having similar problems to mine.

Problem: Unable to join any of my computers to a home group. The problem exists in both directions. I can create the home group on either computer; the other computers can detect the home group, but cannot join. “Windows cannot create Home Group on this computer.”
PC1 HP Pavilion DV6000 Laptop | Windows 7 Home Premium 32 Bit Service Pack 1
PC2 Dell Inspiron620 Desktop | Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit Service Pack 1
PC3 Dell XPS 410 Desktop | Windows 7 Home Premium 32 Bit Service Pack 1

Users:
administrator account on both computers, same password

Network Configuration: D-Link DIR 825 Wireless Router
All computers are in the same "workgroup" and set to "Home network".



Symptoms:
1. Home Group is detected on all computers, but none of the computers are able to join it. For the most part, I receive the ‘Windows cannot create home group on this computer.
Currently, the Dell Inspiron is displaying an ‘incorrect password’ message. I made sure that the password is exactly the same as the computer where the home group was created.
I’ve deleted the idstor.sst file with no results. I’ve stopped and started the home group services to no avail.
I appreciate all of the suggestions in advance.

My issue was caused by my router. Replacing the router was my solution until dd-wrt firmware was compatible with DIR-601. You may have the same issue with your d-link router.

Guys, I don't know if this was actually answered, but there's also a problem with the PC names. (I didn't want to read 11 pages )

You must have different PC names.
For changing this or verify go to :

Computer>System Properties>Advanced System Settings.

Under the tab "Computer Name" you should see the Full computer Name. This MUST NOT match the other computer which you were trying to access. If they do, just change one of them by clicking "Change..." and writing a different name where it says "Computer name"

Reboot, and that shall do it .

Make sure to read the post I just made. You need to verify that the three computers you are using have different PC names. This happened with my laptop and netbook. Hope that it helps .

Windows 7 HomeGroup not working? Try these quick fixes | News | TechRadar UK

Number 9 on the list worked for me. I tried it on my laptop which couldn't see my desktop, then once I was finished it worked just fine.

Be sure to leave the Homegroup first, then clear the folder contents. Join the Homegroup again, give it a minute to share it's contents, and then give it a shot. Hopefully this works for others!! Took me a few days to find it.

I was unable to join a Homegroup on my netbook, and found no help anywhere, but stumbled on a solution. on my own. Here is what fixed my homegroup problem.




Go to Control Panel and click on Adminstrative Tools
Scroll down and click on Services
Scroll down and right click on Homegroup Provider Service.
Click on Start the Service....

If got this messsage:


“Windows could not start Homegroup Provider Service on Local Computer.
Error 1079: The account specified for this service is different from the account specificied for other services running the same process.”


Here is what I did next....


Cancel error message and right click on Homegroup Provider Service again.
Scroll down and click on Properties
Click on Logon tab
Click on This Account button
Click on Browse
Click on Advanced
Click on Find Now
Double Click on Local Service
Click on OK
[Local Service then appears in a box on the Logon tab. Beneath it are two boxes with rows of asterixes.]
Delete all of the asterixes then click on Apply, then click on OK.
Right click on Homegroup Provider Service
Click on Start


Homegroup Provider Service then started, and I was able to join a homegroup.

I know this sounds like a crock of crap, but if the times on the Computers you are linking up are not the same time and date the Homegroup will reject you without any will and will give you the, "Invalid password, password is case-sentive."


I had the problem for a while and Troubleshoot said to change the Date and Time Accordingly, and waaalaaa.

just thought id mention...all computers that are accessing the homegroup must be on the same time zone as well as the router you are using with the homegroup...i had to login to my routers config and change the time zone...here is a pic:

In the 'network and sharing center' screen, look on the right hand side where it says Access type, and next to the HomeGroup: it should say 'Available to Join', click on that.

I tried to join network but nothing worked for me until I saw the above option, it works for me now.