Solved Windows Firewall Blocking Network Discovery and File Sharing

[brack]

I have a wired network consisting of 3 Windows 7 Profesional computers and one WHS server. My network configuration has been in place for over 2-years without an issue. One of my Windows 7 computers has developed an issue where I can no longer access the the other two Windows 7 computers through Windows Exployer. When you go into the control panel and Networking and the Advanced network sharing and file sharing button are off, when I attempt to turn them on it does not let me turn them on (with Adminstrator privileges of course), keeps returning to the disabled position. If I disable the Windows firewall everything works, no problems.

I have ran the troubleshooting for network sharing and it ends up with the the Windows Firewall settings as incorrect, however the troubleshooter attempt to fix fails..

I am running Microsoft Security Essentials and also use Malwarebytes for virus and malware security. I have ran both these on full scans without an issue.

Any suggestion would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[chev65]

There are many causes and solutions for this problem but it usually has to do with Windows services being disabled or not set to Auto, or the firewall needs to be reset to default settings.

Other solutions in the link below. Look to the right and you will see many other links with more solutions for this problem.

Cant turn on network discovery on windows 7 ! - Microsoft Community

 

[brack]

Thanks for the information, However I have tried all that seems applicable without success, including:

I have made sure all these services are enabled:
- TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper service
- DNS Client
- Function Discovery Resource Publication
- SSDP Discovery
- UPnP Device Host



I have attempted to reset the firewall to default settings but end up in a error 03 message.

Any other ideas?

 

[Parman]

How to Repair Windows Firewall Files | eHow.com

 

[chev65]

Thanks for the information, However I have tried all that seems applicable without success, including:

I have made sure all these services are enabled:
- TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper service
- DNS Client
- Function Discovery Resource Publication
- SSDP Discovery
- UPnP Device Host



I have attempted to reset the firewall to default settings but end up in a error 03 message.

Any other ideas?

Running the sfc/scannow command might reveal some file integrity problems.

 

[sdowney717]

If I disable the Windows firewall everything works, no problems.

You can create a firewall exception using scope rule, so set it to pass all data on the lan's ip
like
192.168.1.0/24 in the box.

 

[essenbe]

Are you going to try to RMA it back to the retailer or to Gigabyte. Depending on which and who they are, you will usually find it easier if you have run the complete memtest86+. It is the one thing that is almost universally accepted. It just takes a lot of time to do it properly, but will also assure you that the board is the problem.

 

[brack]

Thanks for everyone's suggestions... After 4 - 5 hours of attempting all sorts of recommendations.. I finally bit the bullet and just restored my drive from my WHS backup. Would of preferred to figure it out but... time was an enemy this week.