Windows 7 not detecting shared files/computers

Draik · 24 Apr 2011

I just bought an Alienware laptop with windows 7 home premium 64bit.

As soon as I got it, I connected it to my network and attempted to access my shared files, but it wouldn't detect any of my computers on the network.

I have an iMac with Snow Leopard, sharing a few hard drives, & an old Qosmio with Windows XP Media Center Edition, sharing one hard drive.

The iMac and Qosmio both detect each other with no issues, sharing files has never been better.

I don't remember doing anything special, other than sharing files, on Windows XP, for the files to be present on other devices.

On Snow Leopard, I added the XP account, & the Win7 account. I enabled sharing files, specifically, AFP & SMB. And then checked both XP & Win7 accounts to assure accessibility.
The Group (Workgroup) is the same across all 3 devices.

XP detects my iMac & can access the files, & the iMac can detect XP & access the files.

Now, my iMac can SOMETIMES detects the Alienware/Win7, but since I'm not sharing any files/folders on it, it can't access it.

My main problem(s):
Win7 never detected XP.

Once, Win7 detected & accessed all files on the iMac, but after shutdown/restart (Possibly updating Win7 to Service Pack 1), Win7 does not detect or show any computer on the network folder other than itself.

If I turn on "PS3 Media Server" on the iMac, Win7 detects it, but when I open it, it takes me to Windows Media Player, which then tells me that the PS3 Media server is empty.

On Win7, Advanced Sharing Settings, "Home or Work" network settings (I'm have my network set to "Home Network"), Network Discover is ON. File & f=printer sharing is ON. Public Folder Sharing is ON. Media Streaming is ON. File sharing connection is set to 40- or 56-bit encryption. Password protected sharing is OFF. HomeGroup connections is set to "Use user accounts and passwords to connect to other computers".

I've looked everywhere for a fix. I went through all possible settings I could find. For the life of me, I can't tell why it's not detecting my shared files...
& what's ticking me even more is that it used to work, but then stopped.

I have Kaspersky Internet Security 2011, if that matters. XP has it as well.

It's probably something simple & right there, but I just can't figure it out.....

Anyone know what the problem might be?
I'd appreciate any form of help.

Jacee · 24 Apr 2011

I had to add my Windows 7 address to my Windows XP's firewall in order to see and share. I'm using Avira Premium Secutity Suite on both computers.

Draik · 25 Apr 2011

I didn't share any files from Win7, so viewing Win7 on XP wasn't a problem (at least not one that I had faced yet), but you gave me a thought.

My Firewall on win7 is disabled by Kaspersky Internet Security. I turned off Kaspersky, fortunately, was then distracted by company coming over.

After they left & I came back to check on this, I noticed the laptop detected both iMac & XP, & I was able to access all files. I then turned on Kaspersky. Both XP & iMac disappeared.

Realizing it was a Kaspersky issue, I googled it, finding the following:
Network/File Sharing - Kaspersky Lab Forum

Which told me to adjust Kaspersky Settings.
After adjusting Kaspersky Network Trust issues, I can detect the iMac, but there are still issues with XP.

Hopefully this helps someone who faces the same issue here. But I still need to fix the XP issue. Being on the right track, I'm sure I'll figure it out after midterms. Haha!

Edit:
XP issues fixed with a few more tinkering in the Kaspersky-Firewall & Network settings.
My Win7 is fully compatible with my network now. (At least until I start sharing files on it. No predictions there. :P)

Jacee · 25 Apr 2011

Thanks for reporting back! :)