Network works one way only; other is WMP.
- I've installed Windows 7 "release version" on my desktop, with two problems. One is that the network only works in one direction.
The laptop can see the desktop machine, and connect to its drives (including the USB backup one) with no problem.
However, the desktop can't "see" the laptop in "Network". If I go to Network and Sharing Center / See full map, then the laptop shows as it should. However, right-clicking it offers me 3 options: Open Media Player, Create shortcut, and Properties. Everything after that seems to think the laptop is a music folder.
I've checked and rechecked file sharing (all seems OK - similar permissions to what is on the laptop).
I'm leery of doing the wipe-and-install of the "release version" onto the laptop until I know what's wrong, just in case I lose the link to the desktop - which has the printers and the backup drives attached to it.
Answers
Hi,
From your post, I think the laptop is listed under “Media Devices” in Network explorer.
Based on my research, I would like to suggest the following:
1. Ensure that File and Printer Sharing is enabled on both computers.
2. Ensure that the computers are in the same workgroup.
3. Disable and re-enable the share folder on the laptop to see how it works.
Hope this helps. Thanks.
Nicholas Li - MSFT- Marked As Answer byNicholas LiMSFT, ModeratorMonday, November 02, 2009 1:51 AM
Hi,
From your post, I think the laptop is listed under “Media Devices” in Network explorer.
Based on my research, I would like to suggest the following:
1. Ensure that File and Printer Sharing is enabled on both computers.
2. Ensure that the computers are in the same workgroup.
3. Disable and re-enable the share folder on the laptop to see how it works.
Hope this helps. Thanks.
Nicholas Li - MSFT
Indeed!
The desktop can now see and read stuff on the laptop. It took one minute to fix.
The secret was in turning it all OFF on the laptop, then turning ON password-protected sharing - it seems that without password protection, nothing is shared despite what the screen implies.
Thank you! Problem fixed.
- Marked As Answer byNicholas LiMSFT, ModeratorMonday, November 02, 2009 1:51 AM
All Replies
IP networks can't work one way and not the other. What you are really talking about is file sharing, not networking.
What OS is running on the other machine? Is it also Win 7? Are you using a homegroup?
BillHi,
From your post, I think the laptop is listed under “Media Devices” in Network explorer.
Based on my research, I would like to suggest the following:
1. Ensure that File and Printer Sharing is enabled on both computers.
2. Ensure that the computers are in the same workgroup.
3. Disable and re-enable the share folder on the laptop to see how it works.
Hope this helps. Thanks.
Nicholas Li - MSFT- Marked As Answer byNicholas LiMSFT, ModeratorMonday, November 02, 2009 1:51 AM
IP networks can't work one way and not the other. What you are really talking about is file sharing, not networking.
What OS is running on the other machine? Is it also Win 7? Are you using a homegroup?
Bill
The desktop is running Win 7 released version (7600, Home Premium). The laptop is running RC1 Ultimate.
No homegroup - I did have one of those with RC1 on both machines, and it didn't work. Deleting it (to set up a workgroup) then locked up both machines, precluding any sort of access. I had to use Knoppix to get my stuff back. I'm not going anywhere near homegroups ever again.
Both machines are set for "Workgroup", it's the same workgroup on both. The laptop connects to the desktop with no problems, prints, backs up, etc. The desktop can't see the laptop in Windows Explorer, but shows it in Network & Sharing Center (sic). It's when I right-click on it that I get "Open Media Player".
I tried opening the laptop with Windows Media Player (which I normally never use because it screws up file associations) and it then told me "Before you can play items in this library, you must first be allowed to access the library." Quite why Windows thinks the laptop is a Windows Media Player library that it can't access, I don't know.
The data folders on the laptop are set to "Advanced sharing", with "anyone can access" (at the moment).Hi,
From your post, I think the laptop is listed under “Media Devices” in Network explorer.
Based on my research, I would like to suggest the following:
1. Ensure that File and Printer Sharing is enabled on both computers.
2. Ensure that the computers are in the same workgroup.
3. Disable and re-enable the share folder on the laptop to see how it works.
Hope this helps. Thanks.
Nicholas Li - MSFT
Indeed!
The desktop can now see and read stuff on the laptop. It took one minute to fix.
The secret was in turning it all OFF on the laptop, then turning ON password-protected sharing - it seems that without password protection, nothing is shared despite what the screen implies.
Thank you! Problem fixed.
- Marked As Answer byNicholas LiMSFT, ModeratorMonday, November 02, 2009 1:51 AM
Hi,
Thank you for your update. Very glad to know this!
In the future, if you experience any issues regarding our products or if you have any feedbacks, you are also welcome to post a new thread in our forum. It is always our pleasure to be of assistance.
Have a great day!
Nicholas Li - MSFT- It worked for a day or two, then the desktop forgot the ID and password for the laptop, and refused to remember it after a restart.
I've done a separate thread on that - Credential Manager appears to have a problem remembering stuff, but stuffing it with several manual entries repeating the same login details seems to have kludged it OK.
