Homegroup same username problem?

chirobeliever · 01 Jul 2013

Have 3 computers, Win7 Pro on #1 & #2 and Home Edition on #3.

#2 can see/read #3 and visa versa as long as #1 is not on the network. #1 can see/read #3 and visa versa as long as #2 is not on the network. However #1 can not read #2 or visa versa. So it appears that #1 and #2 have a conflict. Have gone through trouble shooting on each computer and it makes #1 see, but not read, #2.

Possible source of the problem is #2 had same username (it was cloned from #1 originally) as #1 until I transferred #2 settings from previous computer using Windows Easy Transfer.

I went through #2's registry and removed #1's username as much as possible. There were a several places where windows would not let me change it. Could this be the problem or is there someplace where I can remove or change the old username?

Kari · 02 Jul 2013

Homegroup should have no issues because of the same username on different computers. For instance I am using same usernames on every Windows PC I have and my homegroup works perfectly.

However, if two or more computers have the same computer name homegroup can naturally only access one of those.

First thing to check is the computer name of your two Windows 7 Professional computers, change other one if the PC name is the same.

chev65 · 02 Jul 2013

Kari is correct about the User names, you just can't have the same machine name or it will cause problems.

When the Homegroup isn't working right it's best to leave the Homegroup on all machines then create a new one and rejoin it from all machines. :)

Most other Homegroup problem can be fixed by following the link.

Ultimate Troubleshooting Guide for Windows 7 HomeGroup Connection Issues - Help Desk Geek

chirobeliever · 02 Jul 2013

Computer #1 is asus64, #2 is asus64sher, and #3 is drbsam so looks like that is not the problem. I have left the homegroup but not all at the same time before joining. Will try that next. If no solution will try the above guide to see if there is anything I missed.

Thanks for your replies and will let you know tonight.

chirobeliever · 02 Jul 2013

Tried to remove the homegroup on #2 after successfully doing it on #1 and upon restart it said that I did not have permission to view the desktop. I answered yes to grant me permission and a black or dark blue background came up where I normally have Win7 theme pictures. Also my icons in the taskbar were unusable. When clicking on one it could not find the program and asked if I wanted to delete the shortcut. Only way I got my computer back was to restore the registry to yesterday's backup. I removed homegroup again and same thing happened so I had to restore again. Anyone know what is going on here?

chev65 · 03 Jul 2013

drburdi said:

Tried to remove the homegroup on #2 after successfully doing it on #1 and upon restart it said that I did not have permission to view the desktop. I answered yes to grant me permission and a black or dark blue background came up where I normally have Win7 theme pictures. Also my icons in the taskbar were unusable. When clicking on one it could not find the program and asked if I wanted to delete the shortcut. Only way I got my computer back was to restore the registry to yesterday's backup. I removed homegroup again and same thing happened so I had to restore again. Anyone know what is going on here?

I'd say you have some major problems there drburdi. I've never heard of such a problem before so it's not good.

Try running the sfc/scannow command and report back what it says.

chirobeliever · 03 Jul 2013

No integrity violations. Any other suggestions?

chev65 · 04 Jul 2013

drburdi said:

No integrity violations. Any other suggestions?

I don't have a clue but between this strange Homegroup problem and your icon's not working you might try using system restore.

chirobeliever · 04 Jul 2013

Can't do a system restore on #2 since I never got the homegroup working on it.

Tried to redo the homegroup by leaving each computer. Then I made a new homegroup on #2 with #1 shutdown. Upon startup of #1 it had no sound or internet on #1. Nothing in device manager showed yellow. I even deleted the sound and internet drivers and they reinstalled up restart but still no sound or internet. So I turned off #2 and restored #1 from a full backup. Had no choice as I could determine. Looks like I will have to do a clean install on #2 unless someone comes up with a genius thought.