PC1 can see PC2 but not other way round.

[orenzai]

Hello,

I have 4 computers connected to Linksys WRT54GL router. All are on Win7 64bit. Problem is that 2 laptops can be accessed by all 4 laptops on the network, BUT there are 2 laptops that cannot be accessed. Which means, PC3 and PC4 can see files from PC1 & PC2 but not vice-versa. I tried connecting PC3 to the Homegroup that PC1 created. It managed to join successfully but I still cant see PC3 on PC1. What could be the problem?

Notes:
-All PC1-4 have the network set to home network and file discovery turned on.
-All are running on Win7 64bit.

Help is much appreciated. Thanks

--------------------------
Updated from 3rd post:

Hello there

Before this, PC1 and PC2 were accessible by the other computers even though they were not in a homegroup. Then, I decided to join all of them into the same homegroup create by PC1. At first, I saw a glimpse of hope. The 4 PCs showed up in the network. But that was all there was. When I tried to access PC3 and PC4, it just takes stone age to load and then come up with an error saying that "the network path doesnt exist".

I then did what you said and disband the whole homegroup and rebooted the computer. I created a homegroup using PC1 and then connected PC3 to it. Still the same story. PC3 could access PC1 but not the other way round.

I also tried to create a homegroup using PC3 (the pc that couldnt be accessed) but PC1 couldnt detect the homegroup.

 

[epbit]

I had a similar issue where my laptop could not see my PC, but my PC could see my other two laptops. What I ended up doing is deleting my Homegroup completely, reset it up on my PC (main holder/creator of the Homegroup), then adding each laptop one by one to the home group, disabling password protected shares, then rebooting both laptops. After a reboot and a 5 min wait all computers were able to access each other.
It was driving me crazy, all I was yelling was "I thought homegroup was suppose to make network sharing easier!"

 

[orenzai]

I had a similar issue where my laptop could not see my PC, but my PC could see my other two laptops. What I ended up doing is deleting my Homegroup completely, reset it up on my PC (main holder/creator of the Homegroup), then adding each laptop one by one to the home group, disabling password protected shares, then rebooting both laptops. After a reboot and a 5 min wait all computers were able to access each other.
It was driving me crazy, all I was yelling was "I thought homegroup was suppose to make network sharing easier!"

Hello there

Before this, PC1 and PC2 were accessible by the other computers even though they were not in a homegroup. Then, I decided to join all of them into the same homegroup create by PC1. At first, I saw a glimpse of hope. The 4 PCs showed up in the network. But that was all there was. When I tried to access PC3 and PC4, it just takes stone age to load and then come up with an error saying that "the network path doesnt exist".

I then did what you said and disband the whole homegroup and rebooted the computer. I created a homegroup using PC1 and then connected PC3 to it. Still the same story. PC3 could access PC1 but not the other way round.

I also tried to create a homegroup using PC3 (the pc that couldnt be accessed) but PC1 couldnt detect the homegroup.

 

[epbit]

Very strange, your setup is very close to mine, windows 7, and even the same router. I doubt this will change anything but perhaps dissable windows 7 firewall by entering firewall advanced, and dissable the 3 levels - domain, private, & public. Or do you have other firewalls installed that are blocking network traffic or the network discoverable ping to your homegroup.
My problem seemed to disappear on it's own after a new homegroup was made and I waited the 5 mins or so for it to populate, cause the path did say it was invalid, but I tried again just before I was going to log off and it worked.
I see you said you disbanded the homegroup and reboot, but you didn't say you rebooted after you connected all the computers to the new homegroup.
Try using the Network tree in your start menu instead of Homegroup, to see if the other computers are there.
The only other way is to just make manual shares and use the Network tree instead of the Homegroup tree, setting share users to "everyone" with read/write access.

 

[orenzai]

Its driving me up the wall. I have restarted the computers and tried using PC1 to connect to PC3 without being in the homegroup. It just wont work. I have been using manual sharing all the while. I just though homegroup might be the source of the problem. Now, PC3 and PC1 need not even be in the same group, but PC3 can still see PC1. Its so damn frustrating!!! Argh!!!

 

[dood]

Personally..I think the whole 'homegroup' stuff is junk...
Be that as it may...

Considering that they are all win7(And you dont have to worry about NTLM auth levels), just make sure they are all part of the same workgroup. If simply doing that doesnt do the trick, look to the firewall..
(Off hand, I dont recall what to target with the firewall because I dont use em. My security is handled at the perimeter of the network with a 'real' firewall. ). But..simply 'sharing' out a public dir on all boxes should make them visible.

 

[chev65]

Its driving me up the wall. I have restarted the computers and tried using PC1 to connect to PC3 without being in the homegroup. It just wont work. I have been using manual sharing all the while. I just though homegroup might be the source of the problem. Now, PC3 and PC1 need not even be in the same group, but PC3 can still see PC1. Its so damn frustrating!!! Argh!!!

Homegroups works perfectly I can assure you. The problem is that most every A/V or third party firewall will not work properly with Homegroups. So which ever A/V you are using is most likely causing the problem. Other than that you can try going through this Homegroup check list to make sure everything else is set correctly.

Also be sure you have added "Everyone" to the permissions list.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/24232-sharing-permissions.html?filter

Ultimate Troubleshooting Guide for Windows 7 HomeGroup Connection Issues

 

[orenzai]

Personally..I think the whole 'homegroup' stuff is junk...
Be that as it may...

Considering that they are all win7(And you dont have to worry about NTLM auth levels), just make sure they are all part of the same workgroup. If simply doing that doesnt do the trick, look to the firewall..
(Off hand, I dont recall what to target with the firewall because I dont use em. My security is handled at the perimeter of the network with a 'real' firewall. ). But..simply 'sharing' out a public dir on all boxes should make them visible.

Thanks for replying. I have made sure that they are all on the same workgroup. And yes, I am used to manually sharing files by right-clicking into the properties and then share check the "share this folder" checkbox and then set the permissions to everyone.

Its driving me up the wall. I have restarted the computers and tried using PC1 to connect to PC3 without being in the homegroup. It just wont work. I have been using manual sharing all the while. I just though homegroup might be the source of the problem. Now, PC3 and PC1 need not even be in the same group, but PC3 can still see PC1. Its so damn frustrating!!! Argh!!!

Homegroups works perfectly I can assure you. The problem is that most every A/V or third party firewall will not work properly with Homegroups. So which ever A/V you are using is most likely causing the problem. Other than that you can try going through this Homegroup check list to make sure everything else is set correctly.

Also be sure you have added "Everyone" to the permissions list.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/24232-sharing-permissions.html?filter

Ultimate Troubleshooting Guide for Windows 7 HomeGroup Connection Issues

I don't think A/V is the culprit here. This is because PC1 and the other unaccessible PC3 & PC4 are all Dell laptops which comes with McAfee. So, if it were the A/V, then PC3 & PC4 wont be able to see the shared folders of PC1 & PC2.

Problem is most probably caused by PC3 & PC4 itself. This is because both PC1 (Dell) and PC2 (Acer) could not see PC3 & PC4 on the network. It doesnt even show up. So strange.

Thanks again.

 

[chev65]

McAfee is famous for creating problems just like this. Happens in here at least 5 times a week. In fact here is one where the McAfee firewall caused this problem. I have about a thousand posts like this.
http://www.sevenforums.com/network-sharing/95911-network-win-7-xp.html#post827996


Take the advice as you will but the fact of the matter is the any and all A/V's can cause these types of problems to occur. Try bringing down the McAfee firewall then retest. I just pass on the facts when the questions are asked.

 

[orenzai]

zomg it worked!! What I did:

1) Turn off McAfee Firewall. The computers showed up immediately. But I couldn't leave the computer firewall-less.

2) Turned it back on. Clicked on manage network > trust this network. It didnt work.

3) Went into the settings of the McAfee Firewall. Added a rule to trust all IPs on the network ranging from 192.168.1.2 - 192.168.1.255. That did the job.

End of the Firewall problem. But just a tip for anybody who doesn't know out there just like I did, to share a folder, you have to.

1) right-click folder > properties > sharing > advance sharing > tick share this folder > permissions > everyone >full control

AND (or you could only see the folders but not access them from other computers)

2) right-click folder > share with > specific people > add everyone

Then only can you see the files properly and smoothly

+rep for chev65~!!! thanks!!!

 

[chev65]

Good deal orenzai, thanks for pointing out that McAfee uses IP ranges for firewall rules. That will make it easier for others to figure out, I will pass that info on next time it comes up. I'm glad that I could point you in the right direction to help you figure that one out.

No doubt that the adding "Everyone" part throws people off all the time. If I only had a nickle for everytime I posted that information....

Will mark as solved.

 

[BOBDALLAS]

Reported Post by BOBDALLAS

This half worked, but in the right direction. Turning off the firewalls I was able to start the HomeGroup on my desktop, and then the Laptop was able to join. However the desktop can only see the laptop but not access the hard drive which is “shared”. My laptop can see everything on my desktop.
Window 7 Home Premium 64 on both machaines.

 

[chev65]

This half worked, but in the right direction. Turning off the firewalls I was able to start the HomeGroup on my desktop, and then the Laptop was able to join. However the desktop can only see the laptop but not access the hard drive which is “shared”. My laptop can see everything on my desktop.
Window 7 Home Premium 64 on both machaines.

Sharing an entire Harddrive has different permissions than just a regular folder. You need to go into the Advance security settings and enable the drive to be shared. Although this isn't a good practice from a security standpoint. You would be better off sharing the entire User folder instead.

To share the entire drive:
Open My Computer -> right click Local Disk D or which ever drive letter your drive is using -> select Properties -> select Security tab -> click Edit button -> click Add button -> enter the name of the User you want to set Security permissions (it is the same user name you've set the sharing permissions for, ex. Everyone will set the read permissions to every user. Put check marks in the boxes for full access and control -> click OK hit apply-> select the desired permissions -> click OK -> wait while permissions are set -> and your Done.

You will also need to use the Advanced sharing tab Sharing>Advanced put a check in the box to share the drive, then click on the permissions tab and "add Everyone" then use the check boxes to allow Everyone full access. Hit the apply button on both windows.