Cannot make my two computers belong to the same homegroup

yankleber · 21 Feb 2017

I am with difficulty to setup a home network. Basically I have two computers (a desktop and a laptop) both running Windows 7 and accessing Internet via wifi. When I installed the OS on them I didn't pay attention for the network because by the time there wasn't any intention of share stuff between the two PCs but now I have a laser printer connected to the laptop and every time I need to print something from my desktop I have to generate a PDF and bring it to the laptop in a pendrive.

The desktop scenario - checking the NSC (Network and Sharing Center) it says that I am connected to a home network called "Wi-Fi casa" (casa means home in portuguese) that happens to be the name of the wifi connection.

The laptop scenario - checking the NSC (Network and Sharing Center) it says that I am connected to a home network called "Wi-Fi casa 3".

Now the weirdest part. In the laptop when I click the link 'Joined' it says that there is another network available (Wi-Fi casa) that is the one that belongs to my desktop and shows a small button aside labeled "Join". So when I click this button it asks for the password. So I enter the password and after a few seconds it says "Windows cannot setup a homegroup on this computer" and nothing else at all.

I tried to make the same thing from the desktop (join to the laptop homegroup) but the desktop doesn't detect the laptop network, therefore no "Join" button.

I am lost here. Any idea on how to force both computers to belong to the same homegroup?

PS: I removed and recreated the network from the laptop but it just recreated it as "Wi-Fi casa 3" (same name as before) so I got no progress.

RolandJS · 21 Feb 2017

The only solution I can think of at this moment is: in reverse order, from newest to oldest homegroup creation, unjoin the newest homegroup on X computer, then unjoin the oldest homegroup on Y computer. Restart both computers, allow Windows time to fully come to Desktop, ensuring no homegroup residuals remain. Then starting fresh, carefully, thoughtfully create the homegroup you want on computer Number One. Windows does like it better when one computer is the primary, the number one, go figure. After getting it settled, after writing down the exact name and password you assigned, go to the secondary computer and I think you simply join the existing homegroup.

Barman58 · 21 Feb 2017

There is a known issue (if not bug), with Windows 7 version of Homegroup, that often prevents the creation of a working Homegroup from a device using Wireless networking connection

If you can connect one of the systems, (the desktop is more practical), via an Ethernet cable and create your homegroup from there you should be able to connect the other, (laptop), without problems.

Also ensure that IPV6 is installed and active (as well as IPv4) on both systems for Homegroup

If this is not possible you would be better off setting up a traditional windows network. Create a user on both systems with the same password, do this for each user on either of the systems. switch on file and printer sharing and network discovery on both systems, (in Network and sharing centre ), and ensure that the workgroup is set the same on both systems, ( Set in System properties and requires a re-boot - the default of Workgroup should be on both systems and is acceptable to use ). Share the printer on the system physically connected to it and add as a network printer on the other system and it will be usable on both systems as long as the printer and connected system are on. It will also allow file sharing between the systems

By the way the "Wi-Fi casa" and variations are just the WI-Fi name or SSID and is not directly relevant in the windows network set-up, the IP address segment and / or workgroup is what is important ( every time the system sees a network as new it will append a number to the name I've seen this into two figures in the past)

yankleber · 21 Feb 2017

Barman58 said:

If this is not possible you would be better off setting up a traditional windows network.

Nigel, how could I do that on Windows 7? Would you point me a tutorial?

Barman58 · 21 Feb 2017

there is not a single tutorial on our forum that i know of as each part of the setings for networking has it's own tutorial

All our tutorials on networking are here ... https://www.sevenforums.com/tutorial...x7.html?filter[2]=Networking%20Internet

I have found a basic guide to windows networking setups Here ... Windows Networking: The Basic Concepts in Network Sharing which should guide you through the basic set-up if you get to a point where you need more specific help have a look in our tutorials at the above link or post back here and we'll help you through it

yankleber · 21 Feb 2017

Thank you very much, Nigel! I will go through this article, I think that it will help a lot!

:)

Although apparently it doesn't worth to struggle with a pair of computers in home only to share a printer perhaps it DOES worth anyway: I am back to the computer technician life as a freelancer and sooner or later a customer will require such config.

I used to mess with network several years ago (along the XP realm era) but it was over 10 years ago and I totally forgot the basics. Maybe it's time to refresh this knowledge!

Barman58 · 21 Feb 2017

If you look at it in a slightly different way, Even with only two computers it has advantages - as long as you have the computers on the same network to connect to the internet a LAN means

You can share files, (you do not need a pen drive to do it

)
you can share a printer
You can view the contents of one PC from the other (RDP) and even assist another user through problems
You can practice a skill that may earn you money in future