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Home networking problems... where to start troubleshooting?

Dougmeister

Senior member
Have 1 desktop (Windows 7 Ultimate), 1 laptop (Windows 7 Pro), and a few other devices (Windows 2000, Windows XP, iPod Touch) hitting a Buffalo WZR2-G300N that is hard-wired to my Verizon ActionTec modem/router. DHCP and radio are disabled on the ActionTec.

ActionTec is hard-wired to the TiVo and the XBox 360.

There is a wireless printer in the mix and a laser printer hard-wired to the desktop.

Problem is that the laptop *cannot* see the desktop. They are both running Windows 7, but I have had *no* luck in getting the "Homegroup" feature to work properly. At one point, one of the machines (the desktop, I think), managed to "see" the laptop, and I quickly created/joined a "Homegroup". If I look now, though, neither computer says that there are any other Homegroup computers on the network.

Where do I start troubleshooting this? Both computers have internet access. I want:

1) the laptop to be able to print to the laser printer (that is hard-wired to the desktop)
2) all computers to be able to share files

Thoughts? Help? Thanks.
 
Assuming that your computers are on the same subnet.

Disable IPv6, forgo the HomeGroup and configure the sharing as Work Network.

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Win7 when configured on peer-to-peer Network has three types of Sharing configurations.

HomeGroup Network = Works only between Win 7 computers. This type of configuration makes it very easy to Entry Level Users to start Network sharing.

Work Network = Basically similar to the previous methods of sharing that let you control what, how, and to whom folders would be shared with.

Public Sharing
= Public Network (like Internet cafe) to reduce security risks.

For best results log to each computer's System Screen and set all the computers to be on a Network with the same name while each computer has its own unique name.
http://www.ezlan.net/Win7/net_name.jpg

Make sure that the Software Firewall on each computer allows free local traffic. If you use 3rd party Firewall On, Vista/XP Native Firewall should be Off, and the active Firewall has to adjusted to your Network IP numbers on what is some time called the Trusted Zone (consult your 3rd Party Firewall instructions

General example, http://www.ezlan.net/faq.html#trusted

Please Note that some 3rd party Software Firewalls keep blocking aspects of Local Traffic even it they are turned Off (disabled).
If possible configure the Firewall correctly, or totally uninstall it to allow clean flow of local network traffic.
If end up with the 3rd party software uninstalled or disabled, make sure that Windows native Firewall is On .

------------------------------
If your network is comprised of Win 7 only and you want a simple Network, use this.
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/help/videos/sharing-files-with-homegroup

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Why-cant-I-create-a-homegroup

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Leave-a-homegroup

After configuring the Homegroup scroll down to the Permission/Security section.

-----------------------------
Or use the more flexible multi featured Work Network (works very well if all computers are Win 7 too).

In the Network Center, clicking on the Network type opens the window to the right.
Choose your type of Network. Notice the check mark at the bottom, and check/uncheck it according to your needs.
http://www.ezlan.net/Win7/net_type.jpg
Win 7 - http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/...mputers-running-different-versions-of-Windows

Win 7 Work Network specific folder sharing - http://www.onecomputerguy.com/windows7/windows7_sharing.htm

Vista File and Printer Sharing- http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb727037.aspx

Windows XP File Sharing - http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;304040

In Win XP Pro with simple sharing Off, you can Visually see the Permission/Security setting , and configure them to your liking.
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/security/learnmore/accesscontrol.mspx#securityTab
Printer Sharing XP - http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/expert/honeycutt_july2.mspx

Windows Native Firewall setting for Sharing XP - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/875357

Windows XP patch for Sharing with Vista (Not need for XP-SP3) - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/922120

When finished with the setting of the system it is advisable to Reboot all the hardware including the Router and all computers involved.

-------------
If you have Permission and Security issues with Vista/Win7, check the following settings.
Point to the a Folder that meant to to be share. Right click and choose properties.
In the properties
Click on the Security tab shown in the pic bellow to the right) and check that the users and their permission (shown in the pic bellow center and left) are correctly configured. Then do the same to the Permission tab.
This screen shot is from Win 7, Vista's menus are similar.

http://www.ezlan.net/Win7/Permission-Security.jpg

In both the Security panel, and the Permission panel you have to highlight each User/Group and examine that the Permission Controls are checked correctly.


When everything is OK, Reboot the Network (Router, and computer).

* Note
. The Groups and Users shown in the screen-shoot are just an example. Your list will look the way your system is configured.

**Note
. All user that are allowed to share need to have account on the computers that they are allowed to connect to.Everyone is an account, it means a group of all of the users that already have an account and been established as users. It does not mean Everyone that feel that they would like to login.



😎
 
I am running Windows Firewall on both computers. How do I:

"Make sure that the Software Firewall on each computer allows free local traffic"?

And the FAQ link you gave me isn't working for me. Thanks again for all of your help.
 
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