Windows 7 Can't Share Files By Computer Name

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wakezero

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For some reason my Windows 7 PC can not find/share files with other computers on our LAN by computer name, but can just fine by ip address.

So \\COMPUTERNAME doesn't work,

but \\#.#.#.# does.

If I ping -a the ip address, it correctly gets the computer name and is able to ping just fine.

I'm lost, any thoughts?
 

My Computer My Computer

OS
Windows 7

My Computer My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Dell C521
OS
W7 Ultimate 64bit W7 Premium 64bit W7 Premium 32bit WXP Home 32bit
CPU
Athlon 64X2 5000+
Motherboard
Dell
Memory
4GB
Graphics Card(s)
ATI X1300
Sound Card
On Board
Monitor(s) Displays
Dell 19" Flat
Screen Resolution
1280x1024
Hard Drives
500GB Western Digital Caviar Green
Mouse
Microsoft Wireless Intellimouse Explorer 2.0
Internet Speed
SBC DSL - 6Mbps
Yes, the network settings all look correct. That should be noticeable by the fact I said I can share files by IP Address. Like I also said, for some reason it does not work by host (computer) name. :rolleyes:

As a side note, file sharing was working by host name a few weeks ago. No change in hardware, and nothing significant in software. And no, rolling back to a restore point does not fix the issue. Every typical support 'tip' as such doesn't appear to work either. Yay windows think-in-a-box support flow charts :party:

Just posting to see if anyone has had any similar problems with networking in 7, and if/how they fixed it. Thanks for your time! ;)
 

My Computer My Computer

OS
Windows 7
It's possible the TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper service is stopped or disabled. It's what Windows uses to resolve computer names to IP addresses. That support is enabled on the WINS tab on the Properties page for the NIC.
 

My Computer My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Dell C521
OS
W7 Ultimate 64bit W7 Premium 64bit W7 Premium 32bit WXP Home 32bit
CPU
Athlon 64X2 5000+
Motherboard
Dell
Memory
4GB
Graphics Card(s)
ATI X1300
Sound Card
On Board
Monitor(s) Displays
Dell 19" Flat
Screen Resolution
1280x1024
Hard Drives
500GB Western Digital Caviar Green
Mouse
Microsoft Wireless Intellimouse Explorer 2.0
Internet Speed
SBC DSL - 6Mbps
RedBirdDad said:
It's possible the TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper service is stopped or disabled. It's what Windows uses to resolve computer names to IP addresses. That support is enabled on the WINS tab on the Properties page for the NIC.
Click to expand...

The default setting was enabled, so I changed it to NetBIOS over TCP/IP. Unfortunatly this does not appear to have solved the problem, I still can't connect by host name.

Ironically, other computers can also only connect to it by ip address.
 

My Computer My Computer

OS
Windows 7
please provide the "ipconfig /all" outputs from both computers.

What anti virus or whatever you have installed to help protect yourself while browsing naughty things on the interwebz?

Also provide what "network" you're connected to ex: public/home/work

Are your windows firewalls enabled, on both computers? (can block dns through fw)
 

My Computer My Computer

OS
7 Pro
Could you open a command prompt on the Windows 7 PC and do an IPCONFIG /ALL and post the results?

Have you made any changes to the firewall at all? Do you have file and printer sharing enabled? Look under Network and Sharing Center and on the left you'll see Advanced Sharing settings. I'd like to see how you have that configured.
 

My Computer My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Dell C521
OS
W7 Ultimate 64bit W7 Premium 64bit W7 Premium 32bit WXP Home 32bit
CPU
Athlon 64X2 5000+
Motherboard
Dell
Memory
4GB
Graphics Card(s)
ATI X1300
Sound Card
On Board
Monitor(s) Displays
Dell 19" Flat
Screen Resolution
1280x1024
Hard Drives
500GB Western Digital Caviar Green
Mouse
Microsoft Wireless Intellimouse Explorer 2.0
Internet Speed
SBC DSL - 6Mbps
brady said:
please provide the "ipconfig /all" outputs from both computers.

What anti virus or whatever you have installed to help protect yourself while browsing naughty things on the interwebz?

Also provide what "network" you're connected to ex: public/home/work

Are your windows firewalls enabled, on both computers? (can block dns through fw)
Click to expand...

WakeZero-PC (Win7 - Problem Computer)
Code: 
Windows IP Configuration

   Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : WakeZero-PC
   Primary Dns Suffix  . . . . . . . :
   Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Peer-Peer
   IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
   WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
   DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : wakezero

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection 2:

   Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
   Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . :
   Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Realtek PCIe GBE Family Controller #2
   Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-24-1D-21-D1-66
   DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
   Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

   Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . : wakezero
   Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Realtek PCIe GBE Family Controller
   Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-24-1D-80-19-ED
   DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
   Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
   Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::f89f:8b97:e305:857e%11(Preferred)
   IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.14(Preferred)
   Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
   Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Friday, March 05, 2010 11:14:46 AM
   Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Monday, March 02, 2020 11:14:46 AM
   Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
   DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
   DHCPv6 IAID . . . . . . . . . . . : 234890269
   DHCPv6 Client DUID. . . . . . . . : 00-01-00-01-12-B4-A3-40-00-24-1D-80-19-ED

   DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
   NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Enabled

Ethernet adapter VMware Network Adapter VMnet1:

   Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . :
   Description . . . . . . . . . . . : VMware Virtual Ethernet Adapter for VMnet
1
   Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-50-56-C0-00-01
   DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
   Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
   Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::4548:f80:93b9:ffaf%17(Preferred)
   IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.168.1(Preferred)
   Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
   Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
   DHCPv6 IAID . . . . . . . . . . . : 402673750
   DHCPv6 Client DUID. . . . . . . . : 00-01-00-01-12-B4-A3-40-00-24-1D-80-19-ED

   DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : fec0:0:0:ffff::1%1
                                       fec0:0:0:ffff::2%1
                                       fec0:0:0:ffff::3%1
   NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Enabled

Ethernet adapter VMware Network Adapter VMnet8:

   Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . :
   Description . . . . . . . . . . . : VMware Virtual Ethernet Adapter for VMnet
8
   Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-50-56-C0-00-08
   DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
   Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
   Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::ddcb:e565:3ba:2e6a%18(Preferred)
   IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.157.1(Preferred)
   Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
   Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
   DHCPv6 IAID . . . . . . . . . . . : 419450966
   DHCPv6 Client DUID. . . . . . . . : 00-01-00-01-12-B4-A3-40-00-24-1D-80-19-ED

   DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : fec0:0:0:ffff::1%1
                                       fec0:0:0:ffff::2%1
                                       fec0:0:0:ffff::3%1
   NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Enabled

Tunnel adapter isatap.{46F239C5-D2B0-42B1-82ED-BE375B35FEBC}:

   Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
   Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . :
   Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Microsoft ISATAP Adapter
   Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
   DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
   Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 11:

   Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
   Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . :
   Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface
   Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
   DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
   Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

Tunnel adapter isatap.{23AEC5C8-8CBE-49BD-8DBB-C6CAE4B88D92}:

   Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
   Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . :
   Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Microsoft ISATAP Adapter #2
   Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
   DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
   Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

Tunnel adapter isatap.wakezero:

   Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
   Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . : wakezero
   Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Microsoft ISATAP Adapter #3
   Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
   DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
   Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

Tunnel adapter isatap.{EF7C024F-3A01-47FD-8C39-E445B5DE99BC}:

   Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
   Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . :
   Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Microsoft ISATAP Adapter #4
   Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
   DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
   Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

Anti-virus software is AVG-Free for all computers. Default windows firewall is enabled on all computers.

I doubt it's the firewall/AVG because the other computers are able to share by host name. Also, I can share files and connect if i type in the ip address (//192.168.1.14).
 

My Computer My Computer

OS
Windows 7
RedBirdDad said:
Could you open a command prompt on the Windows 7 PC and do an IPCONFIG /ALL and post the results?

Have you made any changes to the firewall at all? Do you have file and printer sharing enabled? Look under Network and Sharing Center and on the left you'll see Advanced Sharing settings. I'd like to see how you have that configured.
Click to expand...

Running on "Home Network" but "Work Network" is configured the same.


Network Discovery: On
File and Print Sharing: On
Public Folder Sharing: On
Media Streaming: On
File Sharing Connections: Enabled for 40 or 56
Password Protection: Off
HomeGroup Connections: Allow Windows to manage
 

My Computer My Computer

OS
Windows 7
the sharing is fine, it's the DNS we're looking at.

edit: And I'll need the ipconfig /all for the working computer(s) as well for comparison.

Can you ping "google.com"
 

My Computer My Computer

OS
7 Pro
brady said:
the sharing is fine, it's the DNS we're looking at.

edit: And I'll need the ipconfig /all for the working computer(s) as well for comparison.

Can you ping "google.com"
Click to expand...

K, let me run downstairs and post the ipconfig from that computer. The one I'm posting on is the windows 7 box with the problem.

Code: 
Pinging google.com [66.102.7.147] with 32 bytes of data:
Reply from 66.102.7.147: bytes=32 time=23ms TTL=56
Reply from 66.102.7.147: bytes=32 time=23ms TTL=56
Reply from 66.102.7.147: bytes=32 time=33ms TTL=56
Reply from 66.102.7.147: bytes=32 time=24ms TTL=56

Ping statistics for 66.102.7.147:
    Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
    Minimum = 23ms, Maximum = 33ms, Average = 25ms
 

My Computer My Computer

OS
Windows 7
L337 (WinXP - Normal Computer)
Code: 
Windows IP Configuration

        Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : l337
        Primary Dns Suffix  . . . . . . . :
        Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Unknown
        IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
        WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
        DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : wakezero

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

        Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . : wakezero
        Description . . . . . . . . . . . : NVIDIA nForce Networking Controller
        Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-0B-E0-F0-00-ED
        Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
        Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
        IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.16
        Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
        Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
        DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
        DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
        Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Tuesday, March 02, 2010 3:20:04 PM
        Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Friday, February 28, 2020 3:20:04 PM
 

My Computer My Computer

OS
Windows 7
ok at least your dns is functioning externally, lets see what's blocking it internally...

from your problem computer, please ping -a one of the working xp machines IP's... not the name.

example: ping -a 192.168.1.16
 

My Computer My Computer

OS
7 Pro
brady said:
ok at least your dns is functioning externally, lets see what's blocking it internally...

from your problem computer, please ping -a one of the working xp machines IP's... not the name.

example: ping -a 192.168.1.16
Click to expand...

Code: 
>ping -a 192.168.1.16

Pinging L337 [192.168.1.16] with 32 bytes of data:
Reply from 192.168.1.16: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.1.16: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.1.16: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.1.16: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128

Ping statistics for 192.168.1.16:
    Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
    Minimum = 0ms, Maximum = 0ms, Average = 0ms
 

My Computer My Computer

OS
Windows 7
can you disable your "enabled" vmware adapters for the time being, please?


can you then open cmd and type in: net use k: \\L337\

and post the error please
 

My Computer My Computer

OS
7 Pro
brady said:
can you disable your "enabled" vmware adapters for the time being, please?


can you then open cmd and type in: net use k: \\L337\

and post the error please
Click to expand...

VMWare Network adapters are now disabled.

Code: 
>net use k: \\L337\
System error 53 has occurred.

The network path was not found.
 

My Computer My Computer

OS
Windows 7
seems to be a netbios issue... are you running any sysinternals apps or anything simliar?


now check your hosts file:

c:\windows\system32\driver\etc\hosts

open with notepad...

Is there anything in there "other than: 127.0.0.1 localhost ?
 

My Computer My Computer

OS
7 Pro
There could be a couple issues causing this and unfortunately i'm leaving for the day... there are some workarounds you can do in the mean time...

easiest would be to enter the computers names of your network into your hosts file:
192.168.1.16 -tab key- L337
IP address -tab key- computer name (for the remaining computers on your network)

THIS IS NOT A FIX -- just a workaround.
 

My Computer My Computer

OS
7 Pro
brady said:
seems to be a netbios issue... are you running any sysinternals apps or anything simliar?


now check your hosts file:

c:\windows\system32\driver\etc\hosts

open with notepad...

Is there anything in there "other than: 127.0.0.1 localhost ?
Click to expand...

I don't believe I am running any sysinternals, and the hosts file is empty (besides comments).

I made sure the netbios is enabled, so I'm not sure what could be wrong with it.
 

My Computer My Computer

OS
Windows 7
brady said:
There could be a couple issues causing this and unfortunately i'm leaving for the day... there are some workarounds you can do in the mean time...

easiest would be to enter the computers names of your network into your hosts file:
192.168.1.16 -tab key- L337
IP address -tab key- computer name (for the remaining computers on your network)

THIS IS NOT A FIX -- just a workaround.
Click to expand...

Ok, thanks for the help looking into this!
 

My Computer My Computer

OS
Windows 7
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