Help with sharing files across computers (XBMC)

[SomethinAmazinn]

I'm a total noob so sorry in advance.
I currently own a PC and a laptop. I have an external HD on my PC and I'm trying to be able to access those files through my laptop via XBMC. I've followed many tutorials online to no avail. I don't know much about networking or file sharing so there's my first downfall. I've tried setting up a home group on my main PC but the join home group option is grayed out on the laptop. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
PC is windows 7 Professional x64
Laptop is Windows 8 x64

 

[chev65]

I'm a total noob so sorry in advance.
I currently own a PC and a laptop. I have an external HD on my PC and I'm trying to be able to access those files through my laptop via XBMC. I've followed many tutorials online to no avail. I don't know much about networking or file sharing so there's my first downfall. I've tried setting up a home group on my main PC but the join home group option is grayed out on the laptop. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
PC is windows 7 Professional x64
Laptop is Windows 8 x64

Getting into drives on other machines sometimes requires adding Everyone to the NTFS permission settings "Security Tab".

You also need to put the check mark for read/write access using the Sharing tab as well.

It's a bit safer to work from the User folder rather than the actual C: drive but it depends on the level of access that you require.

http://www.sevenforums.com/network-sharing/92521-hdd-sharing.html#post798310

 

[SomethinAmazinn]

Followed your steps but I'm not able to see the external HD appear under Computer on the laptop. Also tried the address \\Home\e and was not able to navigate there through the laptop.

 

[Parman]

Is the name of the share e? Look under your sharing for the share name and then try accessing it via \\home\"share_name".

replace "share_name with the name retrieved remove quotes..

You can also verify it by typing net view in a command prompt to see all shares on your network.

 

[chev65]

Followed your steps but I'm not able to see the external HD appear under Computer on the laptop. Also tried the address \\Home\e and was not able to navigate there through the laptop.

I'm sorry did you say external drive access from a Windows 8 laptop?

Sorry I was thinking PC to PC drive access because the title was stuck in my head.

Apparently with Windows 8 Pro and external drives it requires that you make some adjustments in the Local Security Policy. This same problem just came up earlier today so maybe the fix will work again.

Lots of problems recently with Windows 8 not being able to access certain external drives so lets hope this is the fix for it.

This type of problem usually requires that you change the Lanman server parameters in order to get Windows 8 working with older servers and certain types of external drives.

Perform these adjustments on the Windows 8 machine that needs to connect to the external drive.

Control Panel - Administrative Tools - Local Security Policy

Local Policies - Security Options

Network security: LAN Manager authentication level
Set to Send LM & NTLM responses only

Set the Minimum session security for NTLM SSP
Disable Require 128-bit encryption

Reboot all machines after making the adjustment.