Multiple Network sharing issues

Hey guys,

This is my first post here, so sorry if I posted in the wrong place.

I have multiple PCs/laptops that I would like to network together to share folders and a printer. Currently, I have two PCs that I have built myself, one being my personal computer and the second one I plan on using as the central location for the file/printer sharing (this is the PC that the printer is connected to). I had this setup working before, and then something went wrong and everything stopped working.

I currently have all my data on a separate partition named "DATA", that I would like accessible to the 4 other computers on my network. For some reason, I am having trouble viewing this central PC on any other computer.

Let's call the central PC "Media-PC". When I go into my Network folder on any of the other 4 computers, "Media-PC" will not show up. I have checked many things already and am at loss as to why it is not appearing. Here is what I have done so far:

1. Double-check Network and Sharing center settings on all PCs, so they are as follows:
Network Discovery ON
File and Printer Sharing ON
Public Folder Sharing ON
Password-Protected Sharing ON
Use user accounts and passwords to connect to other computers
2. Check Windows firewall settings
3. Uninstall/reinstall all network drivers
4. Do a ping test. It appears the ping is not successful when I try to ping Media-PC. I get a 0% loss, however, I also get an error "Destination host unreachable".

If there is anything I'm missing, please let me know. This has me stumped as to why Media-PC is not showing on the network map.

If you need any more information, let me know.

Thanks for the help, I really appreciate it :)!

Oh, and one more detail I forgot to add.

It seems like whenever I go to view my wireless networks, my home network is viewed with a "2" next to it. For example "Home Network 2" instead of just "Home Network". I have gone into manage wireless networks and there is indeed only one profile there, so I am not sure why this is there. Also, when I go into Device Manager, the Ethernet adapter device is listed with a "#2" next to it. For example, "Realtek PCIe Ethernet #2".

This is only the case for "Media-PC" and one other laptop.

So, no replies anyone?

I understand it is a strange issue, but a very frustrating one. Because of this, I am unable to print from 3 of my 4 PCs, and would like to be able to print and share files between all of them. I have tried running system restore to 2 weeks before, with still no luck. However, the network names are no longer ending with a "2". But still getting the same destination host unreachable ping message.

I guess I may have to try another forum .