network file sharing not working.

[dale5351]

I have three computers I am trying to get networked together.
A is running Win 7 home premium, connected via wireless to router.
B is running Win 7 Pro, connected via ethernet to router.
B has a printer connected via USB.
C is running Win 10 home, connected via ethernet to router.

For all computers:
Network discovery is on.
workgroup name is MSHOME.
File and printer sharing is on.
Password protected sharing is off.
All directories are set for sharing, with full privileges.
No homegroups are set up.
All are set to allow windows to manage homegroup sharing.
The network troubleshooter finds no problems on any computer.

Laptop A has full access to files on desktop B.
Laptop A cannot see C in explorer listing,
but C does turn up on the network map.
A cannot see the directories on C.
desktops B & C can see the directories on A, but cannot read them,
except for one called users.
desktop C can see the directories on B, but cannot read them,
except for one called users.
desktop B has full access to files on C.

Both A and C can use the printer that is connected to B.

 

[GokAy]

Get password protected sharing to on, and create passwords for your accounts. Otherwise you access as a Guest and all kinds of issues arise.

When you access a PC, you will be asked credentials (username/password) - enter the credentials of the PC you are accessing.
Disable firewall on the PCs while you are setting up the network, and enable later and diagnose accordingly if then connection is disrupted.

 

[dale5351]

I'll try that -- password to on, disable firewall -- and report back.

Let me add that the main reason I want sharing is to map network drives on another computer to a drive letter.

Also, I have the Guest account turned off on all of my computers.

 

[GokAy]

Sure, you can do anything you wish as long as the OS allows it.

 

[dale5351]

I set password sharing to on for each of the three computers. I did not mess with firewall. Now when I attempt to access another computer, I get asked for a user name and password. I enter one (even not the one I am logged in as) and the other computer shows up. Good!

I suppose the reason it did not work before is that I had "Guest" disabled on all computers. I'd rather not enable it, and will use what worked :-}} My only hope is that now the credentials will be persistent even after I log off, etc. If not, I'll come back. If so, I'll mark thread solved -- thanks.

 

[GokAy]

Your logged in account won't work in order to access another PC (as the other PC doesn't know/and trust the accounts of other PCs). But if your account names and passwords are same in different PCs, that should work.

In anyway, if you are asked for credentials again, enter an account of the PC you are trying to access and also tick the option to remember the credentials in the window you enter username/password.

 

[dale5351]

It has seemed to work persistently. Thanks again. Solved

 

[dale5351]

after a couple of days, the three computers are back in their original (and unacceptable state). The laptop no longer can even see the Win 10 computer under network. I am at a lost as to what has gone wrong, and why the original solution was not persistent.

 

[GokAy]

On every PC:

Check these services whether they are started:
- Computer Browser
- DHCP Client
- DNS Client
- Network Connections
- Network Location Awareness
- Remote Procedure Call (RPC)
- Server
- TCP/IP Netbios helper
- Workstation
- IPsec

Also:
- Then disable firewall (which firewall are you using?)
- Restart your router.
- Check Network and Sharing Center for network location (Home/Work/Public)
- Also in Network and Sharing Center - Advanced Sharing Options - verify sharing and network discovery is on

 

[dale5351]

Thanks again.

I have checked the services on all three computers. All were on, except that IPSEC was off for the Win10 computer. I started it.

network location was private for the Win10 computer and was home for the two Win7 computers.
sharing and network discovery is on for all threee computers.

I am a bit leary of turning of firewall and of restarting router (restore to factory defaults).

However, I have discovered that if I set up a homegroup on all three computers, then they are able to see and share each others files. I never used homegroup before, rather I used the workgroup sharing (my workgroup is called MSHOME) on all three computers. Now that I have joined homegroup, I can do the "map network drive" which is what I really needed to do.

Once again -- it seems to be working for now. I will wait for a couple of days to see if it falls apart again before I mark it solved.