Solved Homegroup encountered an error / This computer cannot join a homegroup

[tmfk]

I get a "Homegroup encountered an error" message when I try to join my laptop and desktop to a homegroup. It does not matter which one sets it up and which one tries to join. It errors in either direction. I have tried leaving and creating, no use. The desktop is wired to a Belkin 300N router and the laptop is wireless. The desktop uses a static ip address and the laptop uses the router's dhcp server. Both computers are on the same subnet and can ping in both directions. Sharing via workgroup works fine. Why won't this software do it's job?

The desktop is a fresh install of Windows 7 professional 64 bit and the laptop has been running Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit for 4 months. I have followed the suggesstions that I have found in the forums and also the troubleshooter with no success. Any ideas?

 

[tmfk]

I got it to work after I uninstalled McAffey, deleted the static ip addresses, and used wireless to connect both pc's to router. Not sure which one did the trick but I know that if I try to use a static ip address on my desktop/media server, homegroup disappears. I think its not all that great anyway, I just wanted to justify the $50,000 i just spent on classes to get my Bachelors in Networking.