Another Homegroup Problem (Tried Everything)

[Jordank]

Hi there,

I've recently switched ISP, and upon doing so I'm no longer able to use a homegroup.
Each ISP provides a modem/router, which is capable of both wireless and wired networking. My setup looks something like:
PC 1 - Desktop Computer, wired in to the router
PC 2 - Laptop Computer, using wireless (on the same router of course) to access the network.

Before making the router switch I was using a homegroup just fine. I'm not sure if the problem herein lies in the router, or the fact that the network itself has been switched.

I've tried everything I've been able to find online, including:
Running the homegroup troubleshooter on both computers
Leaving, and rejoining the homegroup on both computers
Tried hosting the homegroup on each computer
Deleted my idstore.sst file in my "C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Roaming\PeerNetworking" directory on both computers
Ensured that IPv6 Networking was enabled on both computers by checking my registry value
And more that I'm probably forgetting here

I am able to see networked computers upon checking network places.
I am able to create a homegroup on PC 1, and it is detected by PC 2, and upon entering the correct password, PC 2 is unable to join the homegroup, and it gives the error: "Homegroup has encountered an error"
I am UNABLE to detect a homegroup that is created by PC 2. - That is, if I try to make a homegroup hosted by PC 2, PC 1 still says "There is no current homegroup, would you like to create a homegroup" or something along those lines. That makes me think there is a problem somewhere in the network.
I have checked my router by logging in to it and seeing if there's anything that stands out that may not cause problems with this, but I'm not able to see anything.

Upon running "ipconfig" on both computers, they are both in fact connected to the same router, ie "192.168.0.x"

I understand I could use a Workgroup, but that's not the solution I'm looking for. At this point it has come down to frustration with my lack of understanding of what's going on behind the scenes here, and would like to fix this more so for the knowledge.

Any help is appreciated, and I'm able to post any information regarding my machines, though I won't be able to do so until later tonight.

Thanks for the help,

Jordan

 

[Dave Atkin]

Have you checked your firewall on both machines?

See: Download Details - Microsoft Download Center - HomeGroup and Firewall Interaction

Any new anti-virus installed or anything like that which maybe blocking ports?


Dave

 

[Jordank]

Yes, I've checked the firewalls.
As I said, they were working fine before switching out my router with my new isp. I didn't change any machine settings such as firewall.

Any other suggestions?

 

[Dave Atkin]

What's the make an model of your new router?


Dave

 

[seavixen32]

You haven't said, but do both computers have Windows 7 on them?

If not, you'll need to configure a WorkGroup.

http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?displaylang=en&id=17168

If they do both have Windows 7 this comprehensive Microsoft article may help you.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/help/homegroup-from-start-to-finish

Failing that, have you tried another router?

 

[Jordank]

The make and model of the router is

Cisco
DPC3825

I was given it from Shaw when they installed internet the other day.


And as I said previously, I had a homegroup working before the router was swapped out.
So yes, I do have Windows 7 on both machines.

I've also read everything Microsoft has to say about setting up homegroups, and what they described worked perfectly well the first time I set it up, but now there is evidently a setting that has gone wrong, and is not working with the instructions that Microsoft lists.

I don't wish to use another router, as I'm quite sure I'm able to do it with this one. It is a newer model, and I'm quite sure is IPv6 capable. Also, it would be quite cumbersome to install an additional router on top of my modem/router combo.


Very frustrating issue.

 

[Dave Atkin]

Hello,

Temp disable the firewall on your router to see if it is blocking the homegroup port and try again.

If the above doesn't work, Can you plug PC2 into the router via a wire and see if the problem persists?

Have you setup the router with any settings that is not considered a default installation? For example access restriction of WLAN?



Dave

 

[Dave Atkin]

This is a simular problem relating to the routers firewall.
[Solved] HomeGroup Password Issue - config-customize - windows-7

 

[Jordank]

Hello,

Temp disable the firewall on your router to see if it is blocking the homegroup port and try again.

If the above doesn't work, Can you plug PC2 into the router via a wire and see if the problem persists?

Have you setup the router with any settings that is not considered a default installation? For example access restriction of WLAN?



Dave

I have tried temporarily disabling it, and I get the same message "Homegroup has encountered an error" upon trying to join it. I also tried joining the network via wire with the firewall down, and there's no change.

Wired or wireless seems to make no difference here.
I've not changed any settings in the router that would cause such, that I know of. WLAN is not restricted.



Also, I looked at the [SOLVED] thread that was posted, and added the ports that the user suggested, still with no avail. Same error.

Anything else?

 

[Dave Atkin]

Hi,

Did you disable your anti-virus software?


Dave

 

[Jordank]

Yes. I wasn't running any anti virus software to begin with, the only thing that has changed is the router.

Any other suggestions?

 

[kegobeer]

Have you called Shaw? If your previous router worked, and your current router doesn't (let's assume your equipment is functioning correctly and the new equipment is the problem), then there's something going on with your new router that is preventing ipv6 from working correctly. Give them a call, tell them your homegroup situation, and see what they have to say about it.

In the meantime, can you leave the homegroup on both computers and create a workgroup, have both computers join it, and see if you can share files? If you have questions about advanced file sharing, let us know and we'll help you with those settings.

 

[Jordank]

Have you called Shaw? If your previous router worked, and your current router doesn't (let's assume your equipment is functioning correctly and the new equipment is the problem), then there's something going on with your new router that is preventing ipv6 from working correctly. Give them a call, tell them your homegroup situation, and see what they have to say about it.

In the meantime, can you leave the homegroup on both computers and create a workgroup, have both computers join it, and see if you can share files? If you have questions about advanced file sharing, let us know and we'll help you with those settings.

I've considered calling Shaw about the issue, but I don't know if it's technical failure on their end. I was with Telus previously, and switched over to Shaw, so I can't blame it on a faulty router, as I truly don't know (and don't think) that it is. Telus and Shaw both used different routers.
I'm not overly concerned about the fact that I can't share files, because realistically speaking I can just pop any files needed over to the other computer with a thumb drive, or yes, I could make a work group.
My question here is to gain a better understanding of what is going on underneath, and why in fact it's not working. I'm usually quite savvy with situations like these, so when a problem arises that I can't manage to fix, I like to know the reason why, and I like to find out how, in fact, to fix it.
Which is where you guys come in!

Any additional help is appreciated, but I may give them a call and ask for some support on the issue.
Figured I'd try here first before having someone come out and help me.

 

[Dave Atkin]

It maybe that the Cisco router cannot do IPv6. From my understanding of homegroup IPv6 is needed. Check with your ISP to see if it is.


Dave

 

[kegobeer]

Leaving the homegroup and creating and joining a workgroup is part of the troubleshooting process. I wasn't asking if you knew how to do it - I want to see if there are other networking issues going on.

 

[Jordank]

Leaving the homegroup and creating and joining a workgroup is part of the troubleshooting process. I wasn't asking if you knew how to do it - I want to see if there are other networking issues going on.

Ahh, forgive me, I thought you were offering a solution. I will definitely try this when I get home.

 

[nighttalk]

Hi there,
I have the same issue after changed to Show moldem/router. (same model)
I have the same one as you do, I have also tried everything.

(I have one computer wired to router, and 4 others on wireless)

Today, I digged out my old linksys WRT160N rounter and hook-up 2 of my wireless computer. I successfully created homegroup on one machine and joined the 2nd one.
After the setup, I disconnected the linksys router and connected back to new cisco one.
If I don't change any homegrounp setting, I can access all the folder/HD without issue.

feels like something in that cisco moldem/router blocking the setup request.....

still have no idea how to fix it.

 

[SirfixIT]

its the cisco modem

<SEMI SOLVED>

I have tried everything as well to get the homegroup connected using that modem/router (from shaw), the cisco modem has essentually everything turned off (firewall etc), I've gone through every troubleshooting method on the net....the above poster had done exactly what I did to get it working.

connect the computers to a little linksys router or whatever, join the homegroup. violla. you can now plug back into your cisco modem and still be connected to the homegroup.

I joined this forum just to say that! this Cisco DPC3825 modem/router has something screwy going on.