Windows 7/XP Networking

Good evening everyone.

I'm looking for some advice on Windows Networking, specifically, between two Windows 7 laptops connected to a wireless network.

I have two Windows 7 laptops and two Windows XP desktop computers. The two desktop computers are connected to the router using cables. The two laptops are connected wirelessly.

Each laptop can ping both desktop machines and can see the shared disks and folders. But neither Windows 7 laptop can ping the other nor, consequently, see the shared disks and folders. The pings just time out.

C:\>ping xxx.xxx.1.11

Pinging xxx.xxx.1.11 with 32 bytes of data:
Request timed out.
Request timed out.
Request timed out.
Request timed out.

Both Windows XP desktop machines can ping each other and see the shared disks and folders. Neither desktop machine can ping or see the laptops.

Clearly, there is nothing wrong with the network itself as the machines connect by cable and wirelessly and can connect to the Internet.

As everything can see each of the desktops, it would seem that I got the parameters right when I shared the disks and folders.

So, big question: what am I missing? I'm guessing it's something very simple and straightforward when it comes down to it, and relates specifically to sharing on the Windows 7 machines. But what?

Thanks in advance for any advice or insights ... or step by step instructions


Regards, TMS

does your router have an active Firewall ?

I have never changed the firewall settings on the router. The point is though, that the XP desktops can talk to each other and the W7 laptops can see the desktops. It's just that nothing can see the desktops.

That's what makes me think it is configuration of the laptops that is the problem.

It's not an urgent problem. I would like to resolve it a) for convenience and b) so that I understand what I need to do in the future.

Cheers, TMS

how about the firewall on the laptops?

also are all machines configured with the same workgroup?

Both laptops and one of the desktops have Kaspersky Internet Security 2013 installed on them and the Windows Firewall is switched off.

The second laptop is only a couple of weeks old. The other older laptop has always been able to see the desktops but not be seen by them.

have you set the w7 machines to use the same workgroup as the others and specified they are on a home network?

Yes, they are all in the same workgroup and on a Home network. But, if they were not, wouldn't it be a two way problem?

Again, the laptops can both access the desktops, just not the other way around.

The implication being that I have not done something or I have done something wrong on the laptop configuration.

Can I share whole drives on Windows 7? And is there a specific option that I need to set?

Thanks

I'd start with a public folder and get that working ;-)

if I recall you need to have the firewall allow these ports for w7

UDP 3702
UDP 5355
TCP 5357
TCP 5358

these are different than for versions of windows pre vista so could be why you can see those xp machines already

also verify these settings http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windo...dows-7-and-xp/

Thanks JP, that looks really useful. I have tried some of the settings described in the link but I'll try and work through it systematically tomorrow.

I'll also check those ports. I suspect that it is something like that. It had been a minor frustration that I couldn't see my old laptop from the desktops but it wasn't something I really needed to do. BUT, I do want both laptops to be able to see each other.

Cheers, might well be heading in the right direction. TMS

if you aren't worried about the desktops you might also use the new homegroup wizard on the two w7 machines

I have had the same problem, it seems that XP and win7/8 dont play nice together, despite what they say on the MS help site. I have even had problems linking Vista with 7/8 - 7/8 can see the vista machine but the vista machine cant see the 7/8 machine. I think its because they use different "group" configs or something

OK, I'm making some progress.

Good news: The new laptop is "aware" of the Home Group and, on entry of the password, can connect to it. Bad news: However, it still can't see the shares.

The Windows Firewall is turned off as I use Kaspersky Internet Security 2013. More Good news: If I switch off the Kaspersky Firewall, I can see the shares!

But a) Kaspersky is going to keep whingeing at me that the Firewall is turned off and b) surely, I need the Firewall switched on?

The Wireless Network is set up as a Home Network and all computers are in the same workgroup, but not the default. However, in the Windows Network Diagnostics, the Sony laptop says: "Windows cannot communicate with the device or resource" and the Asus laptop says "Windows can't find a computer named ..."

So, for the short term I have a solution but, if I can, I'd like to get to the bottom of the configuration. How difficult can it be to get two Windows 7 computers to talk to each other through a firewall!?

Regards, TMS

I reckon you just need to tell kaspersky to allow comms on the 4 ports I mentioned

is your wireless network set as a trusted/local network in kaspersky?

is your wireless network set as a trusted/local network in kaspersky?

Thank you JP. That was it. You are a star!

And I nearly missed that question ... I was already half way down the path of trying to enable the ports. I'd allowed them on one of the machines but not the other. At least, I think I had ... kept tripping over the white stick.

Anyway, thanks again, TMS


PS: tried to rep you but it won't let me at the moment. Later!

Plus-repped now. Thanks.

no problem-I got some from Mr. Longlegs earlier so I'm doing ok today! :-)