Work group problem

[Petey7]

I have two 7 laptops and a XP desktop in our workgroup. After adding the second 7 laptop, neither 7 computer can see the XP computer in network places. Usually I wouldn't care, but with out being able to see the XP computer, the others cannot print to our printer. Keep in mind it was working before adding the second computer. When on the XP computer, I can see the two 7 computers and access files on them with no problem. I tried the some tutorials on here and Microsoft.com about setting up workgroups and solving common problems. This is starting to annoy my parents and me a great deal. Does anyone know what would cause only one computer to see all of them, and how to solve this?

 

[chev65]

Which anti virus do you have installed on your machines?

 

[Petey7]

MSE on mine, McAfee (gag) on the new one, and AVG on the XP.

 

[zigzag3143]

I have two 7 laptops and a XP desktop in our workgroup. After adding the second 7 laptop, neither 7 computer can see the XP computer in network places. Usually I wouldn't care, but with out being able to see the XP computer, the others cannot print to our printer. Keep in mind it was working before adding the second computer. When on the XP computer, I can see the two 7 computers and access files on them with no problem. I tried the some tutorials on here and Microsoft.com about setting up workgroups and solving common problems. This is starting to annoy my parents and me a great deal. Does anyone know what would cause only one computer to see all of them, and how to solve this?

Is the printer the only issue? Or is there a sharing issue as well?

 

[Petey7]

I can't see my dads computer at all in the workgroup from the 7 computers. It was there on mine two days ago.

 

[chev65]

McAfee is causing your problem. The firewall for McAfee needs to be set to allow the range of IP's that your router is using for DHCP. Either that or you can uninstall it. McAfee is famous for causing problems like this. Happens all the time here in the networking section.

 

[Petey7]

I turned the firewall for McAfee off temporarily and nothing changed. Does the new computer need to be restarted after changing the firewall settings?

 

[Petey7]

I'd just uninstall McAfail if I thought my dad wouldn't mind. He bought the computer for my mom to have and him to use occasionally. As its not mine, I don't feel right uninstalling stuff.

 

[chev65]

Turning off the firewall all too often won't fix these sorts of problems, you need to either uninstall McAfee or configure the firewall to allow the range of IP's that your router is using. Restarts are always required after making changes.

We had three other problems with McAfee causing problems like this just last week. Basically, it's not a Windows 7 problem but an A/V problem. If you want the problem fixed then you will need to deal with McAfee first.

 

[Petey7]

I can't figure out how to change any firewall settings. I followed the instructions in th ehelp thing and I see no "advanced settings" link to click. I hate McAfail so much. Why won't it just die?

 

[chev65]

I ask myself that all the time LOL, everyone has been having problems with McAfee lately. The only fix seems to be either uninstalling it or going into the McAfee firewall settings to allow for the IP range the router is using.

 

[Petey7]

Couldn't I just set McAfee to not run at start-up? This will at least confirm whether it is the problem or not. Since you know more about it than me, I'll be awaiting your reply. Also, if it does turn out to be the cause, I can add it to my very long list of reasons to uninstall McAfee and get AVG or MSE.

EDIT: after restarting my computer, I can't see my moms computer in network places, but it does appear on the network map, also my dads computer does not appear on the map. I read about on fix for this on Microsoft.com, but when I try to install the update, it says the update is already installed.

 

[Petey7]

I disabled McAfee so that it would not run at start up. Problem fixed. Now I just need to convince my dad to let me install MSE and I'll be done.

EDIT: a mcafee icon showed up, but no detected change so far.

EDIT2: McAfee managed to still start itself, and i'm still having probs I hate it so much.

 

[Barman58]

Try Autoruns to checkout your start-ups there are loots of little nooks and crannies where things start up

Autoruns for Windows

No need to install as it's a portable app

 

[Petey7]

I made sure that we would be able to reinstall McAfee if needed and made sure it was cool with my mom. Dads at work for the next 12 hours. McAfee is being uninstalled and the new MSE beta is going on there.

 

[Barman58]

Don't forget to switch the windows firewall back on and set the win7 machines to Home network to open the sharing ports.

Also make sure that the XP machine is running SP3 as this includes updates to the sharing system to make it more compatible with win7 & Vista

Also make sure that on the XP machine you use advanced sharing not simple sharing as Win7 does not support simple sharing

 

[Petey7]

Getting rid of McAfee and installing MSE solved all my problems.

 

[chev65]

Well what a surprize. It's like a recurring nightmare with McAfee LOL. Anyway glad I could help you to narrow the problem down, or in this case pinpoint the actual problem.

Too bad that nobody realizes the value of having this knowledge about A/V's and the problems they cause or I would be getting repped a lot more often I think. Sure seems to save on time wasted while trouble shooting anyway.