Windows 7: Win 7 PC can't access workgroup pcs but can use printers

I have a Windows 7 Pro 64bit SP1 laptop that for over a year was happily on our hardwired work workgroup. A couple of weeks ago I formatted the laptop and ever since I am able to see and use the networked printers but can't see any computers on the network through the Network section on the Windows 7 pc.

I am so blocked out that even my own pc, which does show up in networking, rejects my connection attempts.

I can access the internet.
I can ping other pcs.
I can remote access to other pcs.
I only can't access shares and browse other pcs.



The other pcs on the network are a combination of WinXp and Win server 2003.

I have tried the network sharing and registry edit fixes that are regularly proposed. I have turned off the win firewall and uninstalled Norton.

I have also renamed the workgroup on the Windows 7 pc and set it back again without fixing the problem.

i had similar issue only difference was one was windows 7 PC and one was windows 8 PC. i have setup the work group on both PC. one day i was on windows PC in the computer management window under Local User and Groups under user and disable the work group user thinking i don't need this user. long story short i was not able to access windows 7 PC from Windows 8 PC. i don't know if this is any help or not but check if your work group user is disable or not.

Thanks for the tip but that wasn't the problem.

You will want to use the Norton uninstall tool to remove Norton completely from your system, this is by far the most likely problem.

Click on your version of Norton in the link below, it will take you to the site with the uninstall tool link.

https://www-secure.symantec.com/nort...us&pvid=f-home

Thanks for the idea but it didn't fix the problem.