3 PC's on Win7 Ultimate - One not connecting b/c Username / password

[HexusOdy]

If anyone can help me here I'd appreciate it in the extreme! I've spent 2 days trying to resolve this pretty much full time!!

I have 3 Windows 7 systems - An HTPC in my Lounge, and VAIO Laptop and a VAIO Desktop I use mainly as a Server.

Until 2 days ago the Server was on Vista but decided to upgrade for speed and so all machines were the same. So I installed the upgrade and it went as simply as the other machines did in the past.

So all 3 machines now have Win7 with the same network shares I had set up before. The Laptop with access the HTPC and Server shares, the Server will access the HTPC and Laptop shares but the HTPC will only access the laptop shares, not the server!

Every time I try to access the server from the HTPC it asks for a Username and Password (and it won't accept correct ones) but I have Password protected sharing turned off on all 3 machines, and the laptop gets in without a hitch.

All 3 machines have the same Group policies for security such as Guest account turned off, LAN authentication all match. Every policy is identical. I've tuned off the tick box in netplwiz for requiring user authentication and all those other tips.

I've put the same user accounts and passwords on all machines and it didn't make a difference to the HTPC accessing the Server, and the others all access each other fine without the same account on all of them.

I only have Windows firewall on the system I can't access and I've tried it while disabled and still no joy.


I can't see it being the server as the laptop connects without a hitch, what could be causing the HTPC to keep asking for a password that isn't required? I've even done a new install on the HTPC and I get the same thing!

Any help GREATLY appreciated!

 

[Lemur]

Are you using workgroups? Do all three have the same workgroup name?

 

[chev65]

Have you checked the time/date on all machines to make sure they are set correctly? You sometimes need to check the bios time also to make sure it's correct.

Did you upgrade from Vista or was it a clean installation of Windows 7?

 

[HexusOdy]

Are you using workgroups? Do all three have the same workgroup name?

Yep, all 3 are in the default WORKGROUP. As I say 2 of them can see both ways, and the last 1 can see one way but as look would have it the one I can't access is the only one I really need!

 

[HexusOdy]

Have you checked the time/date on all machines to make sure they are set correctly? You sometimes need to check the bios time also to make sure it's correct.

Did you upgrade from Vista or was it a clean installation of Windows 7?

The windows times are the same, I've checked them twice and they are all spot on. I haven't checked BIOS times but would that really make a difference? Anyway it can't be that. All 3 machines can access each other in all directions except HTPC to server.

The server that I cannot access was an upgrade from Vista Ultimate x32. It worked fine before that.

 

[chev65]

Upgrade installations can cause problems such as you are describing. It might be worth while to try a clean install from the upgrade CD.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html

 

[HexusOdy]

I have just noticed that in Network and Sharing Centre on the Laptop and Server they both say they are connected to BeBox (my router) but on the HTPC it says Network instead of BeBox.

So connected to Network. Could that have a bearing? It still sees all the other systems so its obviously on the same network but could the name be an issue and if so how do I fix it?

 

[chev65]

You can change the name by clicking on the little house. Shouldn't make a difference though.

 

[HexusOdy]

Just discovered that even using HomeGroup which is supposed to make things fool proof it still asks for a username and password on anything I share in Homegroup from the server.

Surely anything in Homegroup should never ask for a password because you already joined the Homegroup with a password?

 

[Lemur]

Are you using workgroups? Do all three have the same workgroup name?

Yep, all 3 are in the default WORKGROUP. As I say 2 of them can see both ways, and the last 1 can see one way but as look would have it the one I can't access is the only one I really need!

Did you hard code any ip addresses? Are all unique?

 

[HexusOdy]

Resolved by doing a clean install on the server. Only way I could fix it.

 

[chev65]

Upgrade installations can cause problems such as you are describing. It might be worth while to try a clean install from the upgrade CD.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html

Resolved by doing a clean install on the server. Only way I could fix it.

Glad to hear that my suggestion worked for you. You are welcome for the help.

These types of problems are fairly typical for an upgrade installation.

By the way, the only Windows server software that works with Windows 7 Homegroups is Windows VAIL home server.

 

[HexusOdy]

Upgrade installations can cause problems such as you are describing. It might be worth while to try a clean install from the upgrade CD.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html

Resolved by doing a clean install on the server. Only way I could fix it.

Glad to hear that my suggestion worked for you. You are welcome for the help.

These types of problems are fairly typical for an upgrade installation.

By the way, the only Windows server software that works with Windows 7 Homegroups is Windows VAIL home server.

Cheers Chev.

When I say its a server its just a high end PC with lots and lots of storage that I use for backup and storage.

 

[chev65]

Upgrade installations can cause problems such as you are describing. It might be worth while to try a clean install from the upgrade CD.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html

Resolved by doing a clean install on the server. Only way I could fix it.

Glad to hear that my suggestion worked for you. You are welcome for the help.

These types of problems are fairly typical for an upgrade installation.

By the way, the only Windows server software that works with Windows 7 Homegroups is Windows VAIL home server.

Cheers Chev.

When I say its a server its just a high end PC with lots and lots of storage that I use for backup and storage.

I kind of figured that was the case, thats how my server is set up for the time being, you might try using Windows server VAIL, it's free for now anyway.