Workgroups problem with Win 7 and Win XP

[majorm]

I have three computers im trying to set up to talk with each other and I am having some issues. I've read numerous threads on here and other places about networking with win 7 and xp and havent found a fix yet. My issue is both of my win 7 computers can share just fine but the xp computer cant be seen or see the win 7 computers.

Everything branches off of a 8 port switch that also has a printer and external backup drive attached. All the computers can see and write to the backup drive and print on the printer. They also can all connect to the internet without any issues. Ive verified i have the win 7 computers set to Workgroup instead of homegroup and all the workgroup names match. I dont have any extra firewalls installed other than windows firewall and i tried disabling that with no change.

If there is another way to network the computers that will work easier im open to that as well. I just need to be able to access the computers and each of then needs to be able to access the internet as well.

Thanks for any help,

Major

 

[2xg]

Welcome to Seven Forums,

Can you please provide an ipconfig /all output of one working computer and an XP computer for review? Please attach a .txt file on your next post. Here's an ipconfig /all Tutorial.

 

[majorm]

Sorry for the delay. I have attached the two ipconfig files.

Thanks,

Major

 

[Roderunner]

Hi Major, Here's how I do it. View attachment File Sharing.pdf

 

[majorm]

I just tried you tutorial but still dont have any changes. Thats good to know about the 128 bit part though because i did have that set to 128 before.

The error message i see when i try to explore the workgroup on the XP machine is: "Workgroup is not accessable. You might not have permission to use this network resource. Contact the administrator of this server to find out if you have access permissions."

"The network path not found"

The odd thing about all this is that the initial time i brought that screen up i did see the network for about 1 or 2 seconds and then it changed to just show an icon called "my websites on MSN". Doing a clean install of win 7 isnt an option on it because i need the 32 bit version of xp to run some of the programs. I would also need to upgrade some of the hardware to run 7 smoothly as well. The part about the network being not found has me pretty confused since i have access to the printer and backup drive on the same network.

Added:

I decided to ping the computers again just to recheck them and it works both ways with no lost packets. I still cant see them as far as being shared in the network or my computer window though.

 

[Jacee]

Make sure your Anti-virus program isn't causing the problem.

 

[majorm]

I just tried it with no antivirus up and still didnt get any change. I shut it down in task manager to be sure it was off too. All I use is Microsofts Essentials software.

Thanks for the idea though. Im definatly up to trying anything.

Major

 

[seavixen32]

Click Start>Help & Support then type Workgroup Setup in the Search field for loads of useful information for setting up a Workgroup.

 

[2xg]

Hi Major,

Sorry for being late. Thanks for the ipconfig /all output. I don't see that Netbios is enabled in your XP computer, the working computer has the Netbios enabled.

Click on Start and type ncpa.cpl press enter
Right click the Local Area Network connection and click Properties.
Double click Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)
Click Advanced
Click WINS
Click the Enable NetBIOS Over TCP/IP button

Also, please create an Identical User Name and Password on all the computers that will be doing File/Printer sharing.

Please give us an update and see if they are now communicating.

 

[Roderunner]

Hi Major,
when I started attempting to use homegroup, I was as baffled as you are. Then I found how to do it as in my PDF, I also failed the first time or two. On my desktop pc I had Outpost FW Pro. It is set to allow connection by default.



On my Laptop, I can't remember what FW I was using, but tried a few freebies including Outpost Security Suite and none of them would let me connect. I eventually got it to work & that was when I made my PDF.