Solved Some Windows 7 Networking and Homegroup questions

[cytherian]

I'm setting up a small wireless network of newly purchased Windows 7 Home Premium desktop computers, that will replace the aging computers already at the location. I figured it would be a snap with Homegroup. However, there's a bit of a snafu.

One of the existing computers was used to define the current Homegroup. So, when you attach yourself to the wireless router and indicate that it is a Home network, the Homegroup dialog only gives you the option to join the existing Homegroup. When you elect to join, you are told which computer defined it and that there is a password. There doesn't appear to be any way to coax the interface to allow you to create a new Homegroup. Unfortunately, the person who controls that computer is not presently available, so I can't find out what the Homegroup password is.

So, is the way the Homegroup architecture works is that when connected to a router with computers already attached, there can be only ONE Homegroup? Or is there something I'm missing here?

Also, what if the computer that defined the Homegroup is to be retired? How do you "transfer" the Homegroup control to another computer?

 

[chev65]

I'm setting up a small wireless network of newly purchased Windows 7 Home Premium desktop computers, that will replace the aging computers already at the location. I figured it would be a snap with Homegroup. However, there's a bit of a snafu.

One of the existing computers was used to define the current Homegroup. So, when you attach yourself to the wireless router and indicate that it is a Home network, the Homegroup dialog only gives you the option to join the existing Homegroup. When you elect to join, you are told which computer defined it and that there is a password. There doesn't appear to be any way to coax the interface to allow you to create a new Homegroup. Unfortunately, the person who controls that computer is not presently available, so I can't find out what the Homegroup password is.

So, is the way the Homegroup architecture works is that when connected to a router with computers already attached, there can be only ONE Homegroup? Or is there something I'm missing here?

Also, what if the computer that defined the Homegroup is to be retired? How do you "transfer" the Homegroup control to another computer?

You can only have one Homegroup per network.

To join the current Homegroup you would need the Homegroup password.

To create a new Homegroup you would need to leave the current Homegroup from all Homegroup machines first. It helps to have all Homegroup machines turned on for this.

 

[seavixen32]

You cannot transfer the Homegroup control to another computer.

What you need to do is get the old computer to leave the Homegroup. Once all the computers have left the old Homegroup, it will no longer exist , and you can then create a new one.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/help/homegroup-from-start-to-finish

 

[cytherian]

Thanks, Chev & seavixen.

As it turned out, I was able to access that lone Windows 7 laptop. It was the only Windows 7 machine on the "network" prior to adding these other machines. So, apparently a Homegroup was defined automatically and a password generated (with a rather strong password, e.g. Xe71Akcl23).

I was able to reset the password to something much more "intelligible" yet still strong.

So, I do have another question... who essentially "owns" the Homegroup? Is it the first computer that creates it? If the Homegroup creator is off the network, does one other computer on the network now have control over the Homegroup, meaning has the ability to change the password? I'm just wondering if it might be a good idea to have the laptop leave the Homegroup, and then have a dedicated workstation define a new one. As you can probably tell, I'm new to using the Homegroup networking feature. I haven't found a lot of info on-line, other than the raw basics.


EDIT: Well, I see how that no one really "owns" the homegroup. It's kind of like a shared accessory. After joining the Homegroup I see that any computer on it can opt to change the Homegroup password (which will kick everybody off of it). Interesting. I can see why this is fine for very small networking, but is too weakly controlled for anything beyond that.

 

[seavixen32]

Check this Microsoft article.

HomeGroup from start to finish - Help & How-to - Microsoft Windows

A homegroup is created as soon as you configure the first computer to join one and it is then that the homegroup password is created. You'll need that password for each computer that then joins the homegroup.

If you decide you no longer want a homegroup you would need to get every computer to leave the homegroup. The homegroup will no longer exist once all the computers have left it.

 

[chev65]

Thanks, Chev.

As it turned out, I was able to access that lone Windows 7 laptop. It was the only Windows 7 machine on the "network" prior to adding these other machines. So, apparently a Homegroup was defined automatically and a password generated (with a rather strong password, e.g. Xe71Akcl23).

I was able to reset the password to something much more "intelligible" yet still strong.

So, I do have another question... who essentially "owns" the Homegroup? Is it the first computer that creates it? If the Homegroup creator is off the network, does one other computer on the network now have control over the Homegroup, meaning has the ability to change the password? I'm just wondering if it might be a good idea to have the laptop leave the Homegroup, and then have a dedicated workstation define a new one. As you can probably tell, I'm new to using the Homegroup networking feature. I haven't found a lot of info on-line, other than the raw basics.

It doesn't matter too much which machine creates the Homegroup although sometimes if the machine that created the Homegroup then leaves the Homegroup it sometimes causes connection problems though this isn't typical.

In either event if there are any Homegroup connection problems you can just leave the Homegroup on all machines and create a new one from the machine of your choice. This also clears the credential cache for the Homegroup.

 

[cytherian]

Check this Microsoft article.

HomeGroup from start to finish - Help & How-to - Microsoft Windows

A homegroup is created as soon as you configure the first computer to join one and it is then that the homegroup password is created. You'll need that password for each computer that then joins the homegroup.

If you decide you no longer want a homegroup you would need to get every computer to leave the homegroup. The homegroup will no longer exist once all the computers have left it.

Thanks for the link, very useful.

Ah, and I see how the Libraries are managed through this. Very nice!

 

[seavixen32]

You're very welcome.

It's very pleasing when our efforts are acknowledged.