Windows 7 Network issue(yes I posted in networking too in a thread with similar prob)

[GCS]

Background:

8 Computers in the office
1 Server

All computers were running Windows XP Pro including server.

4 Computers moved to Windows 7 over the last week.

Server STILL on Windows XP Pro

2 computers networked, shared etc just fine with the server EXCEPT you cannot see anything under Network Places other than the computer itself

3rd & 4th computers put in place this AM. Cannot see any other computers or the server.

I can ping all computers on the network including the server. I can map drives to the server on the network I can even search around in the folders of the server ... HOWEVER when I install network programs and/or try to run them it is SUPER SLOW. As in some of our programs used to take seconds to load but now on these 2 new computers they take 10 mins to open.


Again the ONLY way I can get to the server drives is via run, IP address then map the drive.


All computers have the same network settings but different IP addresses of course.

Windows 7 machines:

Fresh 64 bit install
Type of Network - Work
Network Discovery is on
Sharing is on
Passwords are turned off
Windows Firewall is off
NOD32 Firewall is off
Internet access is 100%

I am desperate here guys as I was supposed to have these 2 systems up and running 2 hours ago and I cannot get them going so I have people stand around waiting to work.

Again 2 Windows 7 machines are running fine (they cannot see the server under workgroup either but speed is fine -- actually nice and fast which is why we decide to move the other systems to Windows 7 as well). I did nothing different to set these up from the last 2 other than I did the Windows 7 install and updating while I was at home this w/e. That's it.

TIA for anyone who can help.

Greg

 

[JackMDS]

Win 7 has three types of Sharing configuration when configured on peer-to-peer Network.

Home Network = Works only between Win 7 computers, and make it very easy to Entry Level Users to start Network sharing.

Work Network = which is 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.

The Work Network is the one that most of us are going (and need) to use.

Unfortunately, I do not have yet good links for the Win 7 "Work Network" Sharing.

However in principle it similar to Vista (some menu in locations in Win 7 might be in different place, and look a little different, but it should not be a problem for a computer enthusiasts to adopt)

So, maybe this can Help.

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

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 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 Router and all computers involved.

 

[GCS]

Thanks for the info Jack but all of those items I am already familiar with and have already done.

Perhaps let me post my process ...

Installed clean version of Windows 7 Pro 64 bit
Configured IP address and Gateway of machine
Changed Workgroup
Downloaded all applicable windows 7 updates
Installed A/V software
Turned OFF completely Windows 7 Firewall and NOD32 Firewall
Installed a few local programs (Adobe, winzip etc)
Brought computer to office and attached to network
Went to Network settings and adjusted for work network, file and printer sharing, no password protection, turned on Network Discovery
Rebooted

Review the Network under Network map to find only the other Windows 7 computers nothing else.

Cannot find the XP Server at all unless I type Run and put in the IP address.

I can link to drives on the server this way but no luck being able to run programs or access data.

This is on 2 Windows 7 machines just done this w/e.

2 other Windows 7 machines done the same way last week. They work fine as far as running programs and accessing data but they cannot see ANY windows XP machines under the network map. I can access them via their ip address though.

Greg

 

[JackMDS]

1. The so called server was patched or is SP3?

2. Does it have a static IP?

Switching off the AV and 3d party Firewall does not means that they are out of the system.

If the above 1 and 2 did not help, try to uninstall the 3rd party Firewall and AV.

 

[GCS]

Server is fully updated for SP3.

I did look into the Link Layer Topology Hot Fix but that was up to date as well.

AV cannot be uninstalled

Also all other systems work fine (all XP but the 2 W7 machines from last week).

I currently have one of the "bad" systems up now and I can see all other machines in the Network Map. I went back to a restore point of just after the Windows 7 install.

I am mapped to the server but installing any programs from the server to the local machine for Network running is absurdly slow. One program normally installs in 30 seconds -- been at the install now for 15 mins.

Transfer of a 10MB file from the server to the workstation took about 25 seconds - this is a 100mb network with all NICs hard set to 10/100 FD (not autonegotiate). All running through Cisco switches and all cabling & connectors were certified a week ago.

Greg