Win Explorer does not show all computers on network


  1. tukatz
    Posts : 20
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit
       New #1

    Win Explorer does not show all computers on network


    I have a DSL modem/wireless router with three PCs connected via Wi-Fi. The router is connected to a hub with a cable. Two additional PCs are connected to the hub via cable. Sometimes (but not always) when I restart my Wi-Fi connected laptop and launch the Win Explorer it 'sees' the other Wi-Fi connected PCs, but not the two cable connected PCs. I have tried turning network discovery on and off and rebooting, but that does not always resolve the issue.
    I can enter \\device name in the Win Explorer address line and it will show all the shares on the entered device. However, if I shut down the Explorer and relaunch it, that device still does not show in the network list.
    I don't use Home Groups and all PCs are members of the same Workgroup. My laptop runs Win 7 Starter, my wife's runs Win 7 Home Premium (and sometimes has the same problem), and the third Wi-Fi connected PC is our Home Theater PC running Win 7 Home Premium (it is currently having the same problem). The two cable connected PCs are a laptop running XP Home and our Windows Home Server.
    Any ideas on how I permanently resolve this problem?
      My Computer
    Quote Quote

  3. Sub Styler
    Posts : 740
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       New #2

    If the machines are always accessible via \\DeviceName\ an easy fix would be to create a folder on the desktop with shortcuts to \\DeviceName(s)\ for each networked machine.

    Not a fix but a simple workaround.
      My Computer
    Quote Quote

  4. tukatz
    Posts : 20
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       New #3

    Sub Styler said:
    If the machines are always accessible via \\DeviceName\ an easy fix would be to create a folder on the desktop with shortcuts to \\DeviceName(s)\ for each networked machine.

    Not a fix but a simple workaround.
    Thanks for the thought, but I am looking for an explanation as to how this happens and information on how to prevent it from happening again. I know your work around would be the easier way, but this bugs me and inquiring minds want to know.
      My Computer
    Quote Quote

  6. tukatz
    Posts : 20
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       New #4

    Update - I disabled the LAN adapter on the XP laptop and connected it with Wi-Fi. My Win 7 laptop still does not 'see' the XP laptop. I am beginning to believe that Win 7 PCs have a problem 'seeing' XP derivative PCs sometimes. I have rebooted my Win 7 laptop a few times since my first post in this thread and the two XP derivative PCs have not yet shown up.
      My Computer
    Quote Quote

  7. Sub Styler
    Posts : 740
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       New #5

    This is commonly reported, although my win7 machine can "see" my wifes XP netbook. I connect to the router by CAT5 and she is using wireless G. I do have her in a homegroup though and we are in the same workgroup.
      My Computer
    Quote Quote

  8. tukatz
    Posts : 20
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       New #6

    How did you get her in a Homegroup? My computer says only Win 7 computers can participate in Homegroups.
      My Computer
    Quote Quote

  10. Sub Styler
    Posts : 740
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       New #7

    Yes that's true, what I mean to say is that I do have my machine as part of a homegroup, although I just access her netbook through "Network" in windows Explorer. It's visible if it's on and it's not when it's not.

    I have an account on her machine with the same user name and password.
    I have Network discovery on
    I have file and printer sharing on
    I have read/write to public folders allowed
    I have 128bit encryption on
    I have password protected sharing on
    I allow windows to manage the homegroup settings (the only thing checked for homegroup use is "printers")
      My Computer
    Quote Quote

  11. tukatz
    Posts : 20
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       New #8

    My settings are the same as yours except that I don't have public folder sharing turned on and don't have a Homegroup. Just for grins I did a Shutdown rather than a Restart on my Win 7 laptop. When I powered back up again the Windows Home Server was back in the Network list but the XP laptop (that I had changed from cable connected to Wi-Fi connected as an experiment) was not. I had not changed any of the Advanced Sharing Options.
    I just checked the Home Theater PC (Win 7). It had been Restarted because of updates. The Windows Home Server is back in its Network list but the XP laptop is not. Guess I'll change the XP laptop back to cable connection and see if it reappears.
    This is what drives me crazy. The problem seems to be random and arbitrary. It must have something to do with whether or not I am wearing socks when I restart my laptop.

    Yep, after I changed the XP laptop back to a cabled connection it reappeared in the Network list on my Win 7 laptop.
    Last edited by tukatz; 16 Dec 2011 at 15:20.
      My Computer
    Quote Quote

 

  Related Discussions
We have several people with Explorer.exe crashes when they open to a network drive. I've tried the folder view reset registry fix. Also used shexview to disable some extensions but still have crashes. It seems to follow the user to a new computer as well. Different users in different departments....
In the network map, the NAS shows as a computer, while the Router shows as a router, but also as a computer that can't be placed in the network. Also, the router shows model #, not SSID. In explorer, when I view the network, both show up as computers, as well as router (infrastructure, but...
Unable to see home network computers in Windows Explorer Network screen. I have a home network with 2 laptops and 1 desktop. The desktop I use as a "file server" in that all work done on the laptops is stored to the desktop. The desktop computer name is HAL. One laptop is fine and sees the...
Greetings traveler! One of many issues I have with Windows 7 is when I select the Network icon I sometimes don't see the other computers that are in the network. Sometimes I do. It's just the name and the icon that won't appear. However, if I type \\COMPUTERNAME I connect to it right away....
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 7 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 7" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

 © Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:33.
Find Us