One computer can neither be seen nor access othe computers' folder/files
Hi, I have 5 W7 computers connected to a network and the same Homegroup. One computer, ComputerA, cannot be seen under the Homegroup list on any of the other computers. Q1) How can I make this computer visible to the others in the Homegroup? Q2) How can I let other computers allow ComputerA to read their files/folders. Thanks. Andy PS More details =============== 1) The other 4 computers can all connect and share FILES well with each other. 2) The other 4 computers can see each other under Homegroup in explorer -- only ComputerA is missing 3) In explorer there's "Network" in the bottom left: ComputerA cannot see itself The other 4 computers can all see themselves and all other computers -- including ComputerA 4) ComputerA can Ping ComputerB and ComputerB can ping ComputerA 5) Although ComputerA is not listed under "Homegroup": ComputerB can access ComputerA's files and folders under "network" in explorer. I could also type "\\ComputerA\FolderA" in explorer, and the files will all be listed. 6) On ComputerA's "Network" in the bottom left of explorer, clicking ComputerB to open its folders produces this error: "\\ComputerB is not accessible. You might not have permission to use this network resource. The specified network provider is invalid" Similarly typing "\\ComputerB\FolderB" in explorer produces the same error. 7) All 5 computers have Internet access. What I've done ============== 1) Help suggested I create a new Homegroup: so I clicked "Leave the homegroup..." on all 5 computers and I turned them off. I turned on ComputerA and created a Homegroup on it, and the others joined it. 2) ComputerA has at least one folder with Homegroup access. [I've double-checked :)]. 3) Homegroup advanced sharing settings for all 5 computers are: Home or Work * Turn ON Discovery * Turn ON file and printer sharing * Turn OFF public folder [I didn't touch streaming options...] * Use 128-bit * Turn ON password protected sharing * Allow windows to manage... Public * Turn OFF Discovery * Turn OFF file and printer sharing * Turn OFF public folder [I didn't touch streaming options...] * Use 128-bit * Turn ON password protected sharing
December 6th, 2009 7:11pm

Is there any 3rd party firewall / security suite installed on computerA?
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December 6th, 2009 7:23pm

In the Computer A please temporary disable anti-virus and firewall and check the result. If the issue persists, I suggest you check and make sure that NetBIOS over TCP/IP is enabled. How to disable NetBIOS over TCP/IP by using DHCP server options Also please let us know if you have same username/password on every computer.Arthur Xie - MSFT
December 7th, 2009 1:09pm

Thanks Arthur and Eugene, First, I'll answer a few questions: 1) I don't have any security suites on any computer 2) None of the computers have a password at the moment. 3) I did have the same anti-virus running on all five computers, but I've uninstalled it from ComputerA for testing purposes. 4) I also disabled Windows' firewall. Now: Homegroup: 3 Computers are listed Network: all five computers are listed However, I still can't access folders on these computers. Homegroup error: "Check spelling, otherwise there's a problem with the network." Network: "Not accessible, might not have permission..." Disabling NetBios I've read article 313314 but can't find DHCP under AdministrativeTools. I was here: Control Panel\System and Security\Administrative Tools Searching Control Panel for DHCP doesn't produce any results. I was here, too: Control Panel\Network and Internet\Network Connections > properties and can't find a NetBios or DHCP in Configure, properties or advanced. What's next? :) Thanks again, Andy
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December 8th, 2009 6:20pm

The computer that is not a member of a HomeGroup has trouble to access the HomeGroup computers. Because only the HomeGroup credential has permission to access shares on each HomeGroup computers. May be the credential to entering the HomeGroup is corrupt on the problematic computer. I suggest you remove the HomeGroup, disable all anti-virus temporarily, then re-build the HomeGroup. Please note that if you would like to change password, make sure that all member computers are online. You can also do not use HomeGroup, and use file sharing instead. You just need to remove HomeGroup.Arthur Xie - MSFT
December 9th, 2009 12:16pm

Thanks Arthur, All computers are on the same Homegroup. I've already removed and created a new Homegroup, but the situation is the same. I've considered normal file sharing, but this means all users would have the same access to all folders. I need to limit access to some folders to some users only. Thanks, Andy
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December 11th, 2009 5:37pm

Hi Andy, To enable NetBIOS over TCP/IP, please refer the following screenshots. Have you ever changed the password after creating the HomeGroup? If so, I suggest you re-create the HomeGroup again, and test the issue without changing the password. Arthur Xie - MSFT
December 14th, 2009 8:53am

Thanks Arthur for your clear graphics. However, all computers have default as their NetBios setting. I've tried re-creating the HomeGroup and the results are the same: the same computer cannot connect correctly. Perhaps I have to do another clean install of W7? Andy
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January 4th, 2010 2:51pm

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