Yet another problem connecting XP Pro SP3 and Windows 7
So I've read through all the threads, probed google, tried every settings combination and still can't get this to work.Here's the problem:Windows XP desktop sees Windows 7 laptop in the network under the same workgroup. However, Windows 7 laptop does not see Windows XP desktop. Windows XP trying to access Windows 7 laptop via My Network Places -> Windows Network Locations -> Laptop7 (the hostname of the laptop) gives a "Network location not found" error.Here's what I've done to try and resolve this:Windows Firewall: Haven't tried disabling them, but there are exceptions for Windows File & Print Sharing on both machines. AFAIK, there shouldn't be any connection issues, plus one machine can see the other.Installed LLTD for Windows XP: Found this while searching Google. Requested the hotfix to install this on Windows XP SP3, works fine. Laptop now see desktop in the "Network Map" but still doesn't see it when browsing the workgroup.HomeGroup: Turned off.Network Type: Home or Work, doesn't seem to make a difference.Network Discovery: EnabledFile & Print Sharing: EnabledPublic Folder Sharing: Read-only (first option)Media Sharing: OnPassword Protected Sharing: OffWindows HomeGroup connections: Use acccounts and passwords to connect other computersIPv6: Not installed on Windows XP Desktop, unchecked it on the Windows 7 laptop.Router: Subnet mask is same for both as the IP address is done via DHCP. Router is WGRT614v6 for what it's worth. Laptop is connecting via Wireless, Desktop is wired directly into the router.WINS: For some reason, I've never had any luck getting WINS to work on my home network. Right now I've got both machines forced to using WINS via NetBIOS over TCP/IP and still no tangible result. (If anyone has tips on how to get this to work I'd be greatly appreciative :))UPDATE: Can connect to the desktop by connection via IP Address. So it's very possible this is a WINS issue from laptop to desktop.UPDATE2: Desktop connects to the laptop via IP Address. Definitely a WINS issue. HELP!Any thoughts? I'm really liking the beta, and I'm honestly hoping that HomeGroup makes Windows networking a snap. But so far, this is turning into a bigger headache than I think it should be for any version of Windows.
January 20th, 2009 7:52am

Can you ping between machines?Have you tried the wireless machine wired to the router?Do you have a common user (with a password) on both machines.Do you have shares created on both machines? Not Root of a Partition? ( just trying to eliminate as many trouble points as possible)With your set up I would start with a work network first. (forget about the homegroup for now).On the XP machine create a shared folder with Simple File sharing turned OFF.On the W7 machine go to Advanced Sharing Settings. (very bottom link of the Network Sharing Center).Make sure network discovery is on, turn on file and print sharing.I have Turn on sharing so anyone with network access can open, change create files.I have Turn on password protected sharing (might want to turn this off for now).I have allow Windows Homegroups to manage Homegroup connections.Homegroups really don't come into play here, and WINS really should not be an issue.Another thing to try is remoting from one PC to the other using the IP address, then use machine names.
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January 20th, 2009 9:30am

The only way to force WINS is to have a WINS server on the network. Client OS's cannot install the WINS server role. You would have to be running a version of Windows Server to enable WINS. Enabling NetBIOS over TCP/IP will force the computers to try NETBIOS resolution. If there is no WINS server in the network NETBIOS will work with broadcasts. Can you ping the computers by name as well as IP? If you can NETBIOS is working and the problem is something else.Kerry Brown MS-MVP - Windows Desktop Experience
January 20th, 2009 9:35am

Sorry for the late reply, been busy with other stuff and this hasn't been a high priority thing for me lately.Ping via IP works fine. I set the router to use DNS but I reserved specific IP addresses for the computers. Ping attempts by hostname gives the standard "ping request could not find host ______ Please check the name and try again" on both machines.User name and password is the same on both machines. Laptop has one non-root (ie C$) folder shared. XP Desktop can see the computer in the workgroup under Microsoft Windows Network, but double clicking the hostname yields "\\hostname is not accessible. 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 was not found".Despite the above, I can access the shared folders if I try and access the computers via IP address... So \\192.168.1.2 allows me to connect to the the desktop from the laptop, and \\192.168.1.5 would be used on the desktop to access the laptop. That should rule out folder and share permissions.It does not explain why My Network Places in XP and the Network section in Windows 7 Explorer aren't working as I expect.Both systems have "Enable NetBIOS over TCP/IP" forced in the Advanced TCP/IP setting for TCP/IP. On the Windows 7 laptop I have unchecked/disabled IPv6 just to make sure it wasn't interfering with this process. Neither machine has NetBIOS installed. So the real problem is getting the hostnames to resolve properly. Is there anyway to do this in my home network (2 Windows PCs and a standard Netgear router) without resorting to manually editing the HOSTS file?
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January 29th, 2009 7:18am

Have you been able to solve this issue?? I think I have the exact same type issue as you and have not found a solution. I am able to connect via IP address and after that momentarily the PC name will come up if I then type the PC's name in the address bar. It goes away after closing the Explorer window. PLEASE if you found the solution post it here.
June 26th, 2009 7:54pm

I actually have almost the exact opposite problem and so far no solution to be found. I am able to see my XP 64 desktop from my win 7 desktop but not the other way around. Very frustrating because I do not neccessarily want to have all of my systems running on a RC software.
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July 10th, 2009 2:44am

i have tha same problem as perasite i can see my win xp computer from win 7 but cant see win 7 from win xp i just dont know what to do thanks for any help you all might have.Dale
July 14th, 2009 7:32pm

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