Homegroup - Some computers see all, others see some.

I'm not sure if this is a Windows 7 problem as a result of the laptop itself or not but as it is the last thing I've checked...

I have 3 computers: 1 wired desktop(64-bit), 1 wireless desktop(32-bit), and 1 wired laptop(Lenovo T400 w/ 64-bit) each running Windows 7 Professional. The two desktops are able to view one another fine in the Homegroup and exchange files.

The T400 laptop is having some issues. It can see the wireless desktop and transfer files from that machine to itself, but it is not able to even see the wired desktop in the homegroup. Both desktops are able see the laptop but neither is able to get files from it.

Each of the desktops can see all 3 computers in the standard network location, the laptop is only able to see the wireless desktop.

I've run troubleshooter on all three computers, and I've ensured they are all on the 'home network'. I've also made sure the network discovery/file sharing/etc is on in the 'advanced settings' and they are all apart of the same workgroup.

The problems seem focused on the laptop, and both desktops worked right from the get go but the laptop hasn't. Further, I used to have Windows 7 RC (Build 7100) on both the wired desktop and the wired laptop and homegroup feature worked flawlessly at that time...just not with the release.

Is your wired laptop able to ping any of the other machines?

Also how are they all connected (on your network)?

The laptop is able to ping both desktops. In addition, it is now able to access both desktops using \\ComputerName\, I restarted the computer and it was able to do that. It still is unable to access the Homegroup.

The two wired are connected to a D-Link DIR-655 directly. They are connected as a workgroup named MSHOME.

If you have Network Discovery ON for all, means your laptop is able to see others on the network and vice versa (given).

"Each of the desktops can see all 3 computers in the standard network location, the laptop is only able to see the wireless desktop."

The above theory doesn't apply if this is the case.

The fact that your laptop cannot see the wired desktop, can only mean that the desktop's or Laptop's Network Discovery is restricted, but is it possible to do this?

This is a hard problem to describe because the exact nature of the problem keeps changing and seems to contradict each other.

As of right now. All 3 computers can see one another in the network. But the laptop is only able to see the wireless desktop in the homegroup.

So on the laptop under the 'Network:' in windows explorer all computers show up. But under 'Homegroup:' only the wireless desktop shows up.

I've double checked Network Discovery is enabled on all 3 computers via the "Network and Sharing Center", so I'm not sure what else to check for that if there is anything.

What happened when u use wireless on the laptop as apposed to wired? Will the laptop sees all machines then?

Hi.. I'm not going to even try to help you out as I've been in much the same dilemma for 2 days now. I really feel MS has created a little monster with the Network setup, it's so secure we can't even get to it. Xp was a snap.
I suspect the first Service Pac will have to deal with the problems. I should add I did get all my units on the network, and the files are all there, problem they report empty in every folder. Now that has to be final straw!

The empy folder i would htink implies that you have not shared anything to anyone.

aem said:

What happened when u use wireless on the laptop as apposed to wired? Will the laptop sees all machines then?

Click to expand...

Ya know I didn't even bother to check that assuming that wired was the best option to make it work. Turning it to wireless did work.

I fixed the solution with wired as well. Apparently when looking at the adapter settings my ethernet card(Intel 82567LM Gigabit Network) had "File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks" unchecked by default while my wireless card (Intel WiFi Link 5100 AGN) had the setting checked on by default.

Thank you for helping me narrow it down, it's up and running!

This is important to know and good that u have figured it out. I call for stickying.

empty folders

aem said:

The empty folder i would htink implies that you have not shared anything to anyone.

Click to expand...

It sure looks like it, but the file folders are all named correctly, there all there. It had to share something, I would think. I'm leaving this project for another day as my wife has one bag packed.... . I really don't need this, it was a challenge now it's got stupid. I have my XP machine . I'm please to see the other fellow is set and working. I'll get there another time, another day. Thanks