Windows 7 - Cannot join Homegroup

I have two computers: Dell Inspiron Laptop connected wirelessly and a Desktop with wired connection to router. I have been trying for 4 hours to connect to the homegroup with my desktop so I can view the files on my desktop on my laptop. Now I will detail the steps I have done.

1. I tried going to network sharing in control panel on the desktop. I created a new Homegroup and it gave me a password. I then went to the control panel on my laptop and went to network sharing and then went to homegroups. Now from my reading, I should have an option that says "join homegroup". I do not have that option, only "create Homegroup".

2. I have tried going to the folder I want to share on the desktop. Still cant find it on my laptop.

3. Removed AVG. Still cant join.

Thanks in advance

Welcome to SevenForums, kbussen.

Instead of using Homegroup, try switching all the machines to the same Workgroup.

(There seem to be a lot of problems with Homegroup use, mainly they seem related to IPv6.)

From an earlier posting I made:

Here is a how to from MS. Might be some info you have not tried. Good luck to you. And welcome to SevenForums
Networking home computers running different versions of Windows

Thank you. I tried your method and still a no go. I have a feeling at this point, its my router. I have another router laying around that Im gonna swap out and try. Ill report back.

Did you set at least one folder as shared? If you don't have any shared folders, the other machine probably won't show up.

This Homegroup walkthough shows how to fix most of the problems that you might run into while setting up a Homegroup. The registry adjustment and the time/date settings are very important. You will need to check the important settings on both machines.

Ultimate Troubleshooting Guide for Windows 7 HomeGroup Connection Issues

So I found out my issue but have run into a new one. Apparently 2 computers cant have the same name on the same network, confuses the whole set up. Lol.

Now I have a new issue. I shared a folder on my main computer so that my laptop can see it through the network. I am able to see the folder on my laptop but when I click on it to access the files I get an error.

\\HOME-PC\Downloads is not accessible. You might not have permissions to use this network resource. Contact the administrator of this server to find out if you have access permissions.

Logon failure: the user has not been granted the requested logon type at this computer

What the hell is going on. LOL. I thought Windows 7 was supposed to be easy?

That is most likely a permissions issue. The walkthough in the link below can help you with that.
Sharing and Permissions

Thanks. I was able to fix the issue by sharing my whole user folder over the network.

Sounds like you got it working kbussen. I often share the entire user folder also just because it's so easy. Thanks for reporting back in.