Windows 7: Windows 7 x64 losing network drives

I have a small home network with my main PC running Windows 7 x64 Pro, a network printer and a couple of other machines (Vista and XP). Connections are via a Gigabit switch to my router. I am deliberately not using a Win 7 Homegroup because my other machines are not running Win 7.



All was working fine until about 10 days ago, when the Windows 7 PC suddenly started losing the printer and other networked PCs. Internet access was not affected. Other PCs on the network also unaffected.

Strangely the Win 7 PC will rediscover the network if I disconnect the LAN cable from the PC to my gigabit switch and then reconnect. All network functions are then o.k. until the next boot-up of this Win 7 PC.

I'm assuming this is a side effect of some recent Microsoft OS update?

It's more likely to be the effect of an A/V software or a third party firewall blocking Windows 7 from the network.

Thanks for the suggesttion. However, I'm fairly sure it's not my AV/Software package (Agnitum Outpost Pro). I did find some newer drivers for my NIC on Realtek's site (although Windows reported it couldn't find any) and that seems to have improved things. Not sure yet that the trouble is cured... I need to experiment more.

Is a matter of fact the Outpost firewall is already famous for causing problems like this. I've been there and done that with Outpost already. You may need to uninstall the Outpost firewall completely first, then set up shares and make sure it's all working then reinstall Outpost at which point it hopefully will see the network and set up rules accordingly.

The Outpost forum may have more info for you about sharing with Windows 7.

Update: I experimented with network related services listed in Computer Management-Services on my Win 7 PC. If I restarted Netlogon or any of the services listed as Network... it made no difference. However, if I restart DHCP Client (= svchost.exe -k netsvcs) it causes the PC to rediscover its LAN so that I can print and share files with the other PCs on the network.

Not sure what this demonstrates, but at least it's a remedy in software that doesn't involve unplugging and replugging the LAN cable.

chev65, you were right. I found a newer version (6.7.3) of Outpost Security Suite Pro, installed it and the problem seems to have disappeared. Thanks for your help

i'm glad you got it working.

Of course I was right, like I said before, been there and done that.

I'm glad that Outpost came up with an updated version that works better for you.

I'd say that 99 percent of the networking problem are caused by A/V software or third party firewalls. Now if I could only convince everyone else about this fact it would save me so much time and effort.

If the problem comes back it's because third party firewalls can actaully create new rules without the user being aware of it.

Thanks for reporting back in MGatehouse.

Hi Rob, look, i have lost few drives on my couple of times re-installed Win 7Pro x64 (genuine) I am panicking I almost lost few months of work i had on them. Recovery software get images back, but drive is dead. Win 7 is keeping not seeing brain new drives I bought and asking me to format it/them. I choose to go for x64 7Pro to have better work flow, but I got only headache. I have Kaspersky AV, regularly updated Windows 7. Any chance to get advice from you? Thanks in advance.