Windows 7 file sharing problem

[Sust]

I wiped my drive 2 weeks ago to install Win7-32bit and everything worked fine right after installation(and joining MSHOME workgroup) in terms of file sharing between it and my HTPC running WinXPSP3. Then yesterday, my brother(Win7-32bit) wanted to snag files off of my hard drive and couldnt b/c my machine was asking him for username and password. So I checked the box in "Advanced sharing settings" that says "turn on sharing so that anyone with network access can read and write files in the public folder". Nothing worked, but then I made an account for him and then he was able to get on to grab his stuff wuth username/pwd. However, now my HTPC cannot even get onto the MSHOME workgroup anymore without an error let alone see my Win7 machine. Of course, Win7 sees everything just fine.
Not being the sharpest cookie, I go and re-format my HD and re-install win7 again trying to retrace my steps. This time I only joined the MSHOME workgroup, then shared the folder again, and turned off password protected sharing. No firewall, no AV. Fortunately, my HTPC was able to connect and see everything in my Win7 machine after the re-install. Then my brother complained that he couldnt get onto my computer from his again so I did the same thing as before and created an account for him which fixed his problem. Now, my HTPC cannot get onto the MSHOME workgroup or my win7 machine again.

I can't wrap my brain around what's happening between adding my brother as a user in win7 to him copying his files off of my hard drive that is wreaking havoc on my winXP HTPC.

Google #1 revealed this which I tried and didnt resolve my problem.
In turning to the AT gods, I found this and this on AT which suggests i'm not alone, but no satisfactory answers.

Before I go and re-install win7 again, any advice other than stop adding my brother as a user?

 

[JackMDS]

I'll start with the possible conclusion.

Your brother computer is Not configured correctly to match your Work Network.

The long story.

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#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 the 3rd party software is uninstalled or disables, make sure that Windows native Firewall is On .
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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

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Since you have Win 7 and Win XP SP3 you have to configure your Network to Work Network.
​

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Networking Win 7 with other version of Windows as Work Network.
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

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.
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If you have Permission and Security issues, 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 . You have to establish specific users. Everyone means 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.
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***Note. Some of the processes described above are done Not for Windows sake but to compensate for different Routers and the way their firmware works and stores the info about the computers that are Networked.

 

[Sust]

Wow, thanks for the long and detailed reply JackMDS.
I will look into all of the links.

As i've figured out over the years, clearly my brother is causing problems for me, but i'm getting stuck figuring out why and how my winXP box is getting blocked out of even seeing computers on the workgroup after adding on my brother's user account. Is there a rationale or am I making the wrong link between 2 entirely unrelated events?