Cannot Join Windows 7 HomeGroup - have tried almost everything
I have seen many many threads about homegroup issues, but no one seems to give enough data regarding their initial problem, the threads get hijacked by other users with similar non-descriptive homegroup issues, and I'm seeing the same 'solutions' being given that don't seem to help. Please! I'm going crazy with this.My issue:When I create a home group on any computer, none of the other computers can see it. Each computer only offers the 'Create a home group' option.Details:- I'm running 2 Windows 7 Home Premium (64 bit) desktop computers. No laptop involved.- Both computers can see each other over the local network.- IPv6 is enabled on both.- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip6\Parameters\DisabledComponents = 0- Windows Firewall is enabled on both.- AVG Free Anti-Virus on both (not AVG Internet Security/Firewall)- Network type is set to 'Home' on both.- Network discovery is ON on both computers.- 128-bit encryption is ON on both computers.- Password protected sharing is OFF on both computers.- Windows is set to manage the homegroup.- Workgroup is same on both computers- HAVE run the Home Group troubleshooter on both computers. Once it complained about the clocks not syncronized but they are set to exactly the same time, (17 seconds difference between the 2 computers). No luck there obviously.- Router is Linksys WRT610N vers. 2Services running on both computers (Set to Automatic):- DNS Client - Function Discovery Provider Host - Function Discovery Resource Publication - Peer Networking Grouping - HomeGroup Provider - HomeGroup Listener - SSDP Discovery - UPnP Device Host There was 1 time when suddenly a HomeGroup was visible to the other computer. After joining and later restarting, the computers could not see each other via the HomeGroup.Any help would be greatly appreciated.
February 27th, 2010 9:01am

Unfortunately I have no answer. My T61 and my HP both running Win 7 x64, will only occasionally connect via network and verry very occasionally connect via Homegroup even with both set exactly the same way. I think the simplest answer for me is going to be Apple. And this is the new and improved version of Windows we are told. There should be a Homegroup for Dummies setting that matches each of 2, 3 or 4 computers if you have admin privileges on each and that resets the 80-11 different settings that need to be tweaked. Good luck, but I have invested 12 hours in this today and am reverting to the old tried and true sneaker net settings that worked in the days of DOS and 5.25 floppies. Perry
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February 28th, 2010 5:44am

Is there no Microsoft expert here who can give me an idea of where to go next? I'm obviously not the only person experiencing these types of HomeGroup issues.There is another HomeGroup thread running at the moment that moderators are repling to, but I don't want to hijack that users thread. His problem may not be identical to mine.
February 28th, 2010 10:00am

Hi, Here are some suggestions you can try: 1. Temporarily turn off firewall and antivirus program on each machine. 2. Assure the Time Zone and Time/Date are the same on each machine. 3. Reset HomeGroup. a. Click the Start Button, type "cmd" (without quotation marks), in the search result list, right click on Cmd.exe and select Run as administrator. Note: If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type your password, or click Continue. b. In the popup window, type the following commands and press Enter one by one: Net stop p2pimsvc c. Access t he following folder and clear all files inside: C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Roaming\PeerNetworking d. Click the Start Button, type "cmd" (without quotation marks), in the search result list, right click on Cmd.exe and select Run as administrator. Net start p2pimsvc If the issue persists, please run "Ipconfig /all" in Command Console on each machine and post the result here for research. Thanks, Novak
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March 1st, 2010 9:50am

Thanks for your reply Novak :)So I did as you requested on both computers and then created a HomeGroup on one computer, but the other computer still cannot see the HomeGroup and says only 'Ready to create'. I then restarted both machines and same thing. Then with the HomeGroup still created I did the same process all over again and nothing.Here are results of each step (which were identical on both computers), with the IP Config results at the bottom:net stop p2pimsvc:The PNRP Machine Name Publication Service service is stopping.The PNRP Machine Name Publication Service service was stopped successfu The Peer Networking Grouping service is stopping.The Peer Networking Grouping service was stopped successfully. The Peer Name Resolution Protocol service is stopping.The Peer Name Resolution Protocol service was stopped successfully. The Peer Networking Identity Manager service is stopping.The Peer Networking Identity Manager service was stopped successfully.net start p2pimsvc:The Peer Networking Identity Manager service is starting.The Peer Networking Identity Manager service was started successfully.ipconfig /all (computer with homegroup):Windows IP Configuration Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : Slytherin Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . : Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : socal.rr.com Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection: Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : socal.rr.com Description . . . . . . . . . . . : NVIDIA nForce Networking Controller Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-04-4B-18-CF-49 DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes IPv6 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 2002:4881:4707:0:98e8:f46e:c519:998(Prefe rred) Temporary IPv6 Address. . . . . . : 2002:4881:4707:0:bcca:6836:516a:68c1(Pref erred) Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::98e8:f46e:c519:998%12(Preferred) IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.100(Preferred) Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0 Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Monday, March 01, 2010 8:35:20 PM Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Tuesday, March 02, 2010 8:35:20 PM Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : fe80::225:9cff:fec4:d3b8%12 192.168.1.1 DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1 DHCPv6 IAID . . . . . . . . . . . : 285213771 DHCPv6 Client DUID. . . . . . . . : 00-01-00-01-12-E2-EE-E1-00-04-4B-18-CF-4A DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1 209.18.47.61 209.18.47.62 NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Enabled Tunnel adapter isatap.socal.rr.com: Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : socal.rr.com Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Microsoft ISATAP Adapter Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0 DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes Tunnel adapter Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface: Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0 DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes IPv6 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 2001:0:4137:9e76:240b:1975:b77e:b8f8(Pref erred) Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::240b:1975:b77e:b8f8%11(Preferred) Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled ipconfig /all (computer without homegroup):Windows IP Configuration Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : Gryffindor Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . : Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : socal.rr.com Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection: Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : socal.rr.com Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Generic Marvell Yukon 88E8057 PCI-E Gigabit Ethernet Controller #3 Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-1F-BC-08-80-34 DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes IPv6 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 2002:4881:4707:0:6908:dec4:1b4f:900b(Preferred) Temporary IPv6 Address. . . . . . : 2002:4881:4707:0:bd74:ab6c:29ff:5209(Preferred) Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::6908:dec4:1b4f:900b%12(Preferred) IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.101(Preferred) Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0 Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Monday, March 01, 2010 8:36:40 PM Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Tuesday, March 02, 2010 8:36:40 PM Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : fe80::225:9cff:fec4:d3b8%12 192.168.1.1 DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1 DHCPv6 IAID . . . . . . . . . . . : 285220796 DHCPv6 Client DUID. . . . . . . . : 00-01-00-01-12-E1-DD-52-00-1F-BC-08-80-34 DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1 209.18.47.61 209.18.47.62 NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Enabled Tunnel adapter isatap.socal.rr.com: Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : socal.rr.com Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Microsoft ISATAP Adapter Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0 DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 9: Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0 DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes IPv6 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 2001:0:4137:9e76:2845:3346:b77e:b8f8(Preferred) Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::2845:3346:b77e:b8f8%11(Preferred) Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled
March 2nd, 2010 7:54am

Still not working but something just happened:I restarted both computers and suddenly the 2nd computer had the option available to join the HomeGroup. I entered the password, but it told me HomeGroup had encountered an error and could not join the HomeGroup. It told me to run the troubleshooter, which I did on the same machine, and it didn't fix anything. Now the computer is back to telling me that there is no HomeGroup on the network, with the usual 'Ready to create' option.I should also add that the 'Play to...' feature does not work in Windows Media Player which gives the error of 'Device is not responding'.Also in the first computers Windows Media Player the other computer showed up twice in the libraries list.Please note the ipconfig information I posted as requested, in the previous post.Thanks!
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March 2nd, 2010 8:04am

Hi, Based on my research, I would like to suggest the following: 1. On both computers, are all the network profiles set to “Home?” 2. Please also try the following method: Why can't I join a homegroup? Meanwhile, I would like to share the following with you as well: Windows 7 HomeGroup: Frequently Asked Questions Hope this helps. Thanks.
March 3rd, 2010 5:18am

After I saw those links I have to admit that I laughed so hard that I choked on my saliva. They are probably the first pages I found online when I was at the basic troubleshooting stage. Again, In my first post I noted that I have done and checked all those basic things.Please, I don't mean to come across rude, but the problem I'm having is definitely not as basic as checking which network profile I'm using.- I take it that you did not see anything awry in the ipconfig information I posted?- Are there any router settings I should be looking out for? In case its relevant, I'm using a Linksys WRT 610N which I know do support IPv6.I don't know if this helps, but my Windows Media Player "Play to" does not work either. I can select "Play to..." and then the other computer but I get a "Device is not responding" error. Then if I try to access a media library via "Other libraries" I get "The remote media library did not allow the connection".I found some suggestions to turn on "Filter multicast" in the router settings and after setting this I was able to create a HomeGroup and then join it from the other computer. But then when I tried to access the HomeGroup the 2 computers stopped seeing each other again via the HomeGroup. Doh!
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March 3rd, 2010 8:24am

After analyzing the Ipconfig result, I did not find any wrong information. At this stage, I suggest you assign a static IP address on each machine for a test. Before we proceed, I would like to let you know some general router IP addresses., In most cases, the router address is “192.168.1.1”, “192.168.0.1” or “192.168.18.1”. If we know the IP address of the router, please perform the following steps. 1. Click "Start", input "NCPA.CPL" (without quotation marks) and press Enter. 2. Right click on the connection that you use for the local connection, and then click "Properties". 3. Click “Continue” to verify the administrator permission. 4. Click to select "Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)", and then click "Properties". 5. Select “use the following IP address”. Manually set “IP address” (For example, if your router IP address is 192.168.1.1, we can type the IP address as 192.168.1.22. If the router IP address is 192.168.0.1, we should type in 192.168.0.22.) Manually set “Subnet mask” as 255.255.255.0 (Note: We can use this address as the default subnet mask.) Manually set “Default gateway” (Note: Default gateway is the IP address of the router.) Manually set “preferred DNS server” (Note: Preferred DNS server is also the address of the router.) 6. Click “OK”. Then, please create a new HomeGroup and join it on another machine. If the issue persists, I suggest you restart each machine to Safe Mode with Networking and check the result. Thanks, Novak
March 4th, 2010 9:36am

I've just made those changes and the HomeGroup cannot be seen on the second computer. I'll give it a couple of minutes.In the meantime, I wanted to post a screengrab of my network window. One thing that confuses me is why one media device uses the computer name ('SLYTHERIN') and the other uses the user name ( 'Craig (GRYFFINDOR: Media Player)' ).http://www.eveningarwen.com/external/network_window_screenshot.jpghttp://www.eveningarwen.com/external/network_window_screenshot_2.jpgAlso, the Media Devices and Computers will randomly disappear at times, but not all at the same time. Maybe this will indicate something.Update: After setting the static IP address HomeGroup was still not seen by the second computer.
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March 4th, 2010 9:54am

Hi BadMonkey (lol, i like it)In the Network and Sharing Center, Advanced Sharing Settings, review the settings:Network Discovery ONFile and Printer Sharing ONPublic Folder Sharing ONFile Sharing Connections- Try lower encryption, higher after homegroup worksMedia Streaming ONPassword Protected Sharing OFFHomeGroup Connections-Allow Windows to manageCheck this on both computers.I looked at the AVG users guide and couldn't determine if Resident shield or Link Scanner could be blocking something. You may want to try to temporarily disable the AVG on both computers to determine if it is blocking something Homegroup uses. I doubt it, but it's an easy rule out.
March 4th, 2010 5:26pm

Thanks Nano Warp, but as I pointed out in my first post, I've already checked those things, and disabling my firewall and antivirus was a test we did about half way through this thread.The basics have definately been checked.I'm thinking I might need to test with a different router, but that means going and buying another one after spending $160 on my linksys WRT610n.I don't know if it helps, but I do keep creating a HomeGroup on one computer (A) and every now and then the other computer (B) sees it and is able to join it. But computer A never sees the B on the HomeGroup once it is joined and after restarting neither computer can see the other on the HomeGroup.
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March 5th, 2010 10:58am

OK, The longshot. Have you tried a hard reset of the router. The Linksys typically has a button for that function. Disconnect the cable from the modem. Power off any computers or devices connected to the router and reset it to factory settings. Connect it to you modem, then power on your computers and devices.If not, then you must perform the reset from Adminstration\Diagnostics in the router with all connected.I also noticed that your ip addresses are 192.168.1.100. Have you set the range to begin there? The router should default to 192.168.1.2 for the first device and on.(192.168.1.3, 192.168.1.4....) So, that's why I am thinking a reset and test on the default settings may help.If you are connecting the Linksys to a modem\router device from your ISP, then the IP range of the Linksys should start at 192.168.100.1 (daisy chain routers) Modem only from ISP, then 192.168.1.1 for the Linksys. (default)
March 6th, 2010 4:14pm

Yeah, I've done several hard resets on the router. IP settings are also all correct. I have also tried static IPs which gives me the same results as using DHCP.I think I'm starting to go mad. Will try the different router option tomorrow. At least that will confirm whether the router is or is not the problem.Novak, you given up on me? :)
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March 7th, 2010 4:56am

As the router has storage server functionality with the default name of WRT610N, perhaps changing the joined Workgroup name to WRT610N would solve this.Do this on each computer in the network. 1. click Start button2. right-click computer3. select properties4. Computer name, domain, workgroup settings, select Change Settings5. select last button to rename or change...workgroup6. change to WRT610N (caps used in manual)7. select Ok8. close out9. a reboot is usually required10. reboot 11. create homegroup on computer 012. join homegroup on computer 1Any help?
March 7th, 2010 4:21pm

Thanks for your help Nano Warp. Completely uninstalling AVG fixed everything....which I discovered after buying a new router, reinstalling Windows 7 on both computers and going half insane!AVG is the anti-HomeGroup and anti-Play-To!!!!!!! As you suggested, I think that the "LinkScanner" feature may be the culprit, but I got rid of the app completely. During our previous testing I had only deactivated "ResidentShield" which didn't do the trick obviously.Again, thanks for you help.
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March 9th, 2010 3:44pm

gawwd i m having the same prob n pulling my hair ..i ve a node32 smart security on both comps n one is 32 n 64 bit ...i cant see join only create ..i ve disabled the firewall n everything but it still is the same ..this win 7 sharing sucks big time and this is the biggest drawback of it so far ...i really dunno watta do i did try it on 32-32 bit version as well but it couldnt acess tho it could see each other ...any help since u ve worked it out i hope !!!plz let me know too (:
May 3rd, 2010 10:39am

I think I have found the solution: try changing your computer name - Step 1) On your Keyboard Press the "Windows key and pause break" to bring up the "System Menu" Step 2) When the "System menu" comes up on the bottom right corner click "Change Setting", Step 3) Click "Change" on "System Properties". Step 4) Change the "Computer Name" (must be DIFFERENT!! to other Computers) Step 5) Press "ok" (you will get a pop up just press ok) Step 6) On the Systems Properties "Change" the "Computer name" to the same one on (Step 4) Step 7) Click "Ok" and let the computer restart (if it doesn't Restart Just log out and log back in) Follow These Steps and you shouldn't have a problem. Cheers Mani :)
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July 30th, 2010 7:14pm

I also have a problem with Homegroup after installing the latest Windows Updates (today is Aug 15, 2010). Since these updates, every time I restart any computer on the network, Homegroup cannot find any of the other computers. The only way I can get Homegroup to recognize the other computers is to leave the Homegroup and create a new Homegroup. Anyone know which of the updates is creating this problem? BTW, I HATE Windows 7 (I have both Professional and Home Premium). It is supposed to be better than XP. What a joke. I never had networking problems with XP; nor did I have problems with Explorer locking up. I have to agree with Perry Kincy. My next computers will be Apple or Linux. The only reason I keep using Windows is because of my investment in Windows Apps. If I keep having problems with Windows 7, I'll go back to XP until I can afford to switch to another operating system. The worst thing about Microsoft is that they are so arrogant that they don't have a way to report bugs/problems. If it were my company, I would have a dedicated team to investigate complaints and resolve them. Internet Explorer, since version 7 also have major problems. Why when saving to favorites, does the tree open fully expanded. It is not expanded when opening favorites. Just plain stupid. I complained about this when IE7 first appeared. The IE7 team was taking feedback and I actually got a call from an engineer who said a fix would be ready in a couple of days after he contacted me. Obviously this was a blatant lie.
August 16th, 2010 3:31am

I also have a problem with Homegroup after installing the latest Windows Updates (today is Aug 15, 2010). Since these updates, every time I restart any computer on the network, Homegroup cannot find any of the other computers. The only way I can get Homegroup to recognize the other computers is to leave the Homegroup and create a new Homegroup. Anyone know which of the updates is creating this problem? BTW, I HATE Windows 7 (I have both Professional and Home Premium). It is supposed to be better than XP. What a joke. I never had networking problems with XP; nor did I have problems with Explorer locking up. I have to agree with Perry Kincy. My next computers will be Apple or Linux. The only reason I keep using Windows is because of my investment in Windows Apps. If I keep having problems with Windows 7, I'll go back to XP until I can afford to switch to another operating system. The worst thing about Microsoft is that they are so arrogant that they don't have a way to report bugs/problems. If it were my company, I would have a dedicated team to investigate complaints and resolve them. Internet Explorer, since version 7 also have major problems. Why when saving to favorites, does the tree open fully expanded. It is not expanded when opening favorites. Just plain stupid. I complained about this when IE7 first appeared. The IE7 team was taking feedback and I actually got a call from an engineer who said a fix would be ready in a couple of days after he contacted me. Obviously this was a blatant lie. Personal try what ive written above and see if it makes a difference, personally ive done all the updates and not having a problem at all. so try the above settings im sure it will work
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August 16th, 2010 3:22pm

I think I have found the solution: try changing your computer name - Step 1) On your Keyboard Press the "Windows key and pause break " to bring up the "System Menu " Step 2) When the "System menu " comes up on the bottom right corner click "Change Setting ", Step 3) Click "Change " on "System Properties ". Step 4) Change the "Computer Name " (must be DIFFERENT!! to other Computers) Step 5) Press "ok" (you will get a pop up just press ok ) Step 6) On the Systems Properties "Change" the "Computer name" to the same one on (Step 4) Step 7) Click "Ok" and let the computer restart (if it doesn't Restart Just log out and log back in ) Follow These Steps and you shouldn't have a problem. Cheers Mani :) This worked! I just created an account just so I can respond and say thanks. Both my PCs had the same name. Renaming one did the trick. Silly, how simple it was, after all the more technical routes we were taking. Thanks Manminder!
October 8th, 2010 12:37am

I also have a problem with Homegroup after installing the latest Windows Updates (today is Aug 15, 2010). Since these updates, every time I restart any computer on the network, Homegroup cannot find any of the other computers. The only way I can get Homegroup to recognize the other computers is to leave the Homegroup and create a new Homegroup. Anyone know which of the updates is creating this problem? BTW, I HATE Windows 7 (I have both Professional and Home Premium). It is supposed to be better than XP. What a joke. I never had networking problems with XP; nor did I have problems with Explorer locking up. I have to agree with Perry Kincy. My next computers will be Apple or Linux. The only reason I keep using Windows is because of my investment in Windows Apps. If I keep having problems with Windows 7, I'll go back to XP until I can afford to switch to another operating system. The worst thing about Microsoft is that they are so arrogant that they don't have a way to report bugs/problems. If it were my company, I would have a dedicated team to investigate complaints and resolve them. Internet Explorer, since version 7 also have major problems. Why when saving to favorites, does the tree open fully expanded. It is not expanded when opening favorites. Just plain stupid. I complained about this when IE7 first appeared. The IE7 team was taking feedback and I actually got a call from an engineer who said a fix would be ready in a couple of days after he contacted me. Obviously this was a blatant lie. Personal try what ive written above and see if it makes a difference, personally ive done all the updates and not having a problem at all. so try the above settings im sure it will work Try it, I just did and it worked!
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October 8th, 2010 12:37am

I think I have found the solution: try changing your computer name - Step 1) On your Keyboard Press the "Windows key and pause break " to bring up the "System Menu " Step 2) When the "System menu " comes up on the bottom right corner click "Change Setting ", Step 3) Click "Change " on "System Properties ". Step 4) Change the "Computer Name " (must be DIFFERENT!! to other Computers) Step 5) Press "ok" (you will get a pop up just press ok ) Step 6) On the Systems Properties "Change" the "Computer name" to the same one on (Step 4) Step 7) Click "Ok" and let the computer restart (if it doesn't Restart Just log out and log back in ) Follow These Steps and you shouldn't have a problem. Cheers Mani :) Although I was confused by number 6 as you have just done that on number 4 and cannot change it again until the computer is restarted, I followed these instructions disregarding numbers 6 and 7 and it finally worked. I have spent hours and hours and hours over this. Whoever at Microsoft thought that Homegroup was an easy way to connect computers must have been out of his/her mind at the time. Judging by my experience and the sheer numbers of people on the search engines who cannot get this to work you can safely say that this is far far harder than most people can possibly achieve to work. As from tonight I am the only one of numerous friends who have finally got it to work thanks to ManminderB. I do have to say that I am disappointed by the entry comment by Novak Wu who quite clearly never bothered reading the thread at all and I thought their comments were a little bit insulting to BadMonkey_NoBanana and he/she is clearly way about the level of those suggested links which, to be honest, are a waste of space as they help no one. Thanks ManMinderB.
October 23rd, 2010 8:26pm

Read this forum through -and performed the suggestions TWICE. The first time I kicked off Homegroup it worked fine, like someone else stated, after I rebooted-the Win7 x32 Laptop recognized the Win 7 x64 Desktop, but the DT did not recognize the LT. On my third attempt; looking at my D-link router, I realized my router's time was off. I had made some config changes recently and had to reset it but never synched the time with my PC. After making sure all three items were in time sync, I removed both PCs from the Homegroup, rebooted them and started a new Homegroup. So far it is working like a champ. If that changes I will repost.
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December 12th, 2010 3:31pm

I have just been through volumes of forums discussing the problem of computers not seeing one another on the network. I have a decent computer background and work at a college that does computer training. My two computers ... a desktop (using Windows 7 Pro) and my laptop (using Windows 7 Home Premium) initially setup Network Sharing using home group initially very easily and worked flawlessly. Suddenly without cause or explanation, one could not see the other. I have never been more frustrated than trying to get both of them to see one another again. I have gone through every F&Q, forum, and everything else one could imagine and shared the frustrations many other had found also ... nothing seemed to work. All settings were as recommended, all clocks were in sync, the router was reset, I left homegroup on both computers and set back up a homegroup and got a new password on the Windows 7 Pro, and I then tried to join on the laptop (which initially would not let me join), all planets the solar system were were aligned, the proper chants and sacrifices were made and nothing seemed to work. Argg! This is what I did discover and there is one item in another forum string that did work: After I created the new homegroup on my desktop, got the new password and checked everything I wanted to share, I found the laptop still could not see the homegroup to join. I did discover, however, that if I went back to the desktop, went to my libraries, right clicked one of my libraries, in the menu selected "Share With" and selected "share with Homegroup" suddenly the laptop could find a homegroup to join. I followed the "join homegroup" process (on the laptop)and put in the newly created password I created from the desktop. The laptop now saw my desktop. It was a sort of "Eureka!" moment. I then found the desktop still could not see the laptop even if went to the laptop libraries to do the same right click sharing and selected a "share with homegroup" option . I thought then that perhaps a reboot of both computers might resolve the problem. I did that very thing and upon reboot, I was back to square one. Neither computer could see the other. Now, the moral of this story ... I tried one thing mentioned in another forum that instantly allowed both computers to see each other. My desktop is directly connected to my router. The laptop feeds to it wirelessly. I connected my laptop directly (hardwired) to my router and poof, both could see each other and the "homegroup" was a happy family again. I am wondering how many people that have the problem of their computers not seeing one another have a desktop directly connected to their router and a laptop that connects wirelessly. It could well be that there is a bug in the wireless connection process or a setting that has changed (something not covered in all of these forums) that is causing the problem. Connecting both computers directly to the router seems to work, however. Any thoughts?
December 12th, 2010 5:48pm

10 days later-still working....
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December 22nd, 2010 4:27pm

Have discovered everything you have just discribed wierd and anoying.
December 23rd, 2010 10:17am

This is not a good answer. Homegroup does not support ipv4 and requires ipv6 so I fail to see how setting a static ipv4 address would resolve the issue.
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January 25th, 2011 1:05am

After messing with everything, I noticed that my router had the wrong time. I am using DD-WRT and all I had to do was change the timezone to the correct one for me and restarted both computers. I was able to see the Join button right away!
January 25th, 2011 3:53pm

Hi, Yes going to Apple is a viable solution. Operating system (that works) $26.00. Simple program to install windows XP, Vista, or 7 on it as well. Apple hardware is more expensive but it actually delivers. One should also note that the operating systems and suites seem to be downgrading...in prep for new version? Anyway nothing is perfect, and I have shown patience for quite some time (years), and since I got an iPhone and iPad, it changed everything...and no I have no affiliation with Apple, just I am also choosing to not play the MS game any longer.
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April 5th, 2011 5:03pm

I'm using Win7 H/P and I have the same problem stated above. However when trying to go to C:\ServiceProfiles\Localservice\ there is no Roaming etc. Local Service brings up some folders. All I get is This computer can't connect to a homegroup. And I can't create one either. Can I create a group on my other computer which is running XP?
May 3rd, 2011 5:28pm

I am having a similar problem to Brad's except for the fact that I'm using Win7Pro64 on both my desktop and my wirelessly attached HP4510s laptop. I can see and access shared folders on the laptop from my desktop with no problem. The laptop can access the router configuration browser page and my Ready NAS Duo, but not my desktop shared folders, instead I get "\\Centurion is not accessible. You might not have permission to use this network resource. Contact to administrator...... THE SPECIFIED NETWORK PROVIDER NAME IS INVALID" UPDATE: All my problems were solved by reinstalling the "Client for Microsoft Networks" on the laptop!!!! I must have somehow disabled it.
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June 5th, 2011 4:12pm

I am having a similar problem to Brad's except for the fact that I'm using Win7Pro64 on both my desktop and my wirelessly attached HP4510s laptop. I can see and access shared folders on the laptop from my desktop with no problem. The laptop can access the router configuration browser page and my Ready NAS Duo, but not my desktop shared folders, instead I get "\\Centurion is not accessible. You might not have permission to use this network resource. Contact to administrator...... THE SPECIFIED NETWORK PROVIDER NAME IS INVALID" UPDATE: All my problems were solved by reinstalling the "Client for Microsoft Networks" on the laptop!!!! I must have somehow disabled it.
June 5th, 2011 4:12pm

I am having a similar problem to Brad's except for the fact that I'm using Win7Pro64 on both my desktop and my wirelessly attached HP4510s laptop. I can see and access shared folders on the laptop from my desktop with no problem. The laptop can access the router configuration browser page and my Ready NAS Duo, but not my desktop shared folders, instead I get "\\Centurion is not accessible. You might not have permission to use this network resource. Contact to administrator...... THE SPECIFIED NETWORK PROVIDER NAME IS INVALID" UPDATE: All my problems were solved by reinstalling the "Client for Microsoft Networks" on the laptop!!!! I must have somehow disabled it.
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June 5th, 2011 4:12pm

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