Windows 7: NOTHING other than Win7 machines can connect to file server

I have a Windows 7 machine (64bit Ultimate) I'm using as a file server... but only other Windows 7 machines can connect to it, NOTHING else can.

I'm at a dead end here, I've tried reinstalling formating everything and it's still the same. I've tried disabling the firewall and it still can't connect. I've also tried setting the power settings to never turn off, but it's still not working. Tried changing the advanced sharing settings to using lowe encryption and turned off password sharing and nothing.

My Macbook can't connect to it at all, but when I run bootcamp into Windows 7, it can connect to it fine. Even my Nexus 7 can't connect to it...

NOTHING is working and I've tried everything I can think of.

This machine is used for media sharing as well, so I can't run WHS on it. It needs iTunes and some other UPnP programs that just don't run on WHS.

Oh and if I run remote desktop from the Macbook, it connects fine... It's just when I try to connect to the server it just can't.



Only work around I've gotten is to restart the machine...

The following link shows you how to gain access to that drive from your other networked machines.

HDD sharing

I've already done that.

Everything I shared, I can access through Windows 7 and other devices (Android Tablets, Macbook etc) for around the first 24 hours (Rough estimate). After that, the computer just blocks anything that's not Windows 7 from accessing the shared drives/folders.

I've setup a scheduled daily restart, but I want to find a solution to this.

If that is the case then Windows 7 isn't the cause. It's most likely an installed program or A/V software that is causing the problem. Starting up in safe mode with networking might be a good place to start.

I've installed the same exact programs in WinXP and haven't gotten a problem.
The only other program I installed was SkyDrive, but on my main rig I have SkyDrive and it isn't giving me problems.

How might safe mode with networking help me figure out what's going on? I've never gone into safe mode before.


On the system, I'm using Windows Firewall with Microsoft Essentials as the A/V.