On a home network with 2 computers, only one can see the other

[Hellmutgolde]

I recently replaced one of my home computers. Both run Windows 7 Home Premium and are hard-wired to a router. A printer is also connected to the router and used by both computers. The router also connects to an Internet modem. First, I configured both machines with a homegroup, but I was annoyed by the fact that you cannot share a whole disk drive over a homegroup network. I then also configures a workgroup on both computers, and set up sharing on several disk partitions on both machines.

One computer (called Laptop) can see the whole network and I can access all shared disk partitions on the other (called Desktop, which is the new one). However, Desktop can see only itself and the printer on the network and therefore Desktop cannot access the files on Laptop.

Desktop uses Norton Internet Security (came with the new machine for 60 days free), Laptop uses Norton 360. Internet access works correctly from both machines. Both machines are single-user with administrator privileges, and all permissions have been granted for the shared partitions.

Can it be that one of the necessary services is not running on one of the two machines? Or what else can be wrong? I have used the Microsoft Network Diagnostic/Troubleshooter to no avail.

Thanks for any tips.

[ruirib]

Have you tried disabling Norton on the machine that cannot be accessed?

[Medico]

I would also check Advanced Sharing to ensure your sharing is set up properly. (Search, Advanced Sharing).

To access particular folder/files you can try this:

Follow these steps to give permissions to the folder. Hope this helps.

a) Right-click on the folder which you’re unable to access and select Properties.
b) Click on ‘Security’ tab and under ‘Group or user names’ click on ‘Edit’.
c) Click on ‘Add’ and type ‘everyone’.
d) Click on ‘Check names’ and then click ‘OK’.
e) Select ‘everyone’ and under ‘Allow’ select ‘Full control’ and click on ‘Apply’ and Click ‘Ok’.

[dreamkid]

This happened to me last week. I turned off the Norton firewall and it started working. It even stopped me pinging the machine running Norton.

I haven't re-enabled yet but assume I will be adding an exclusion to Norton.

Cheers,
DK