Hey, I am having a problem with the homegroup feature. I have windows 7 RC installed on a desktop and laptop of mine, both on the same network under home network, and when i create a homegroup on one computer, the other computer can't find it and only gives me the option to create another homegroup. Any idea what's wrong? I am able to stream video and audio through windows media player from one computer to another but the computers can't find each other through homegroup. Any help would be appreciated.

check the configuration of your network inthe network sharing center.make sure that you enable the file sharing option.also check for the workstation service and make sure it's running.go to services by going to control panel --> administrative tools ---> servicesgood luck

services is started and my network configuration is set to file sharing on and i also have set windows to manage my homegroup connections and password protected sharing is off but still not sure why they can't see each other.

try disabling any firewall you have on your machine.some antivirus programs comes builtin with firewall try disabling it the search again.you may also try accessing by typing the ip address in the address bar of the windows explorer example : \\192.168.x.xhope this works this time.

i am able to access files through the ip address on the windows explorer address bar even with the firewall enabled (im using the windows firewall) but i would like to try out the homegroup feature. is that how i will have to access files everytime, by typing my ip address?

i also want to connect an external hard drive through the network and i can't access that through the ip address

is the network discovery feature turned on ??Microsoft Certified: MCP, MCSA, MCSA Security, MCSE, MCSE Security.

yeah it is on both computers

i know this doesn't sound very technical but both computers have the same computer name and user name so could that be a problem? and if so, how can i change the computer name?

Sure, this could be a seriousw problem. And changing the name will most likely solve your problem. Right click my computer then go to properties then go to computer name and change it from there. A computer reboot will be requored And I recommend u rebooting borh. Good luck.Microsoft Certified: MCP, MCSA, MCSA Security, MCSE, MCSE Security.

Hey so it kind of worked. One computer can see the other, but nice vice versa. And the computer that can see the other only shows me docs pics vids and music but wont open the folders. Sorry for bein such a trouble.