Network Sharing Issue

[ShadowFactoryX]

Recently I purchased a new Desktop, running W7 HP 64bit.
I have an external hard drive plugged into that desktop and I want to share the files on it across the network, primarily to my laptop using the same version of windows.

I have the same work group for both, same network and neither computer shows up on each others' network locations.

Though for both my xbox 360, when on does show up on both.

Im not running any third party firewalls.
Network sharing and discovery are both on.

I've also tried using the homegroup feature with no luck on either end.
Something is blocking both or one the computers to communicate (probably the new one)
I used to run workgroup with my previous desktop running xp, and it worked fine.

Help, solutions, suggestions?
Thanks

 

[2xg]

Hi ShadowFactoryX and Welcome to SF,

Verify that all your Network Services are Started from Control Panel=> Performance and Maintenance=> Admin Tools=> Services:
• COM+ Event System (for WZC issues)
• Computer Browser
• DHCP Client
• DNS Client
• Network Connections
• Network Location Awareness
• Remote Procedure Call (RPC)
• Server
• TCP/IP Netbios helper
• Wireless Zero Configuration ( XP wireless configurations only)
• WLAN AutoConfig ( Vista wireless configurations only)
• Workstation

Also, create an Identical User Account on all your of your computers in your Network.

If you're using the Windows built-in Firewall, make sure that Files and Printer sharing is Excluded.

Verify that Netbios is enabled on all the computers in your Network.
Enable NetBIOS over TCP/IP « TTC Shelbyville – Technical Blog

Disable Password Protected Sharing.
Disable Password Protected Sharing — MAXIMUMpcguides – Windows 7 tips, tricks, help, and how-to guides

Please post an update.