Problems connecting to other machines on the local network

Hello,

I have two desktop PCs connected to my router, one named Mirabel running Win7 Pro, and one named Bessie running Win Server 2008 R2 (both 64-bit). These can see each other quite happily.

I just installed Win8.1 Pro 64-bit on my Dell Vostro 3750 lap top, which I named Rosie, but am having problems connecting to the other machines.

When I go to the Network node in Windows Explorer on Rosie, I can't see either of the other two machines, but if I type \\Bessie in the address bar, it shows me the two drives that are shared. However, if I try and explore either of these, I get the following error...



The lap top is part of a workgroup, imaginatively named "Workgroup" as are the other two machines...



I changed the properties of the TCP/IP v4 to match the ones on the other two machines (with a different IP address of course)...



...but this didn't help.

The odd thing is that I can browse the shared drives on Mirabel without any problem.

In case it's relevant, both desktop machines can browse Rosie without problems.

Anyone any idea how to fix this. Win8 has changed so much from Win7, and it's wasting a lot of time trying to get it set up.

Thanks in advance for any help.

With Server 08', wouldn't it be required to add this new machine/Username to the Active Directory/Domain of the Windows server?

Windows Server 2008: add an Active Directory Computer - YouTube

In principle, it probably would, but as this machine is running on a network in my home, I took the simple step of allowing full control to all users, so the other machine can access the files.

I haven't touched Active Directory on the machine at all (nor would I know how!).

Thanks for the reply. Any other ideas?

Far as I know Windows servers use Active Directory to establish User credentials.

If the server is also in a Domain then you would need to add the new machine to the Domain at the very least.

I really don't see a need to use a Windows server in such a small network.

As I said, I haven't set up AD in the machine, and the other desktop machine can access the files without problem.

Neither of the two desktops are in a domain, they are both part of a workgroup.

As for using windows server, we have it as we are running IIS to provide some services, such as a local web site that is accessed from ipads around the house, and also as a test-bed for applications that get deployed (I'm a software developer by profession, but no expert in networks). Finally, it is used as a central location for backups from the other desktop and the lap top, from which the backed up data is stored in the cloud. We probably coold do all of this on Win7, but windows server was more suitable, so we used it.

All of which doesn't get us any nearer

Without using Active Directory, do you have any suggestions for allowing the Win8 lap top to access the files on the windows server machine, like the Win7 machine can?

Thanks

MrYossu said:

As I said, I haven't set up AD in the machine, and the other desktop machine can access the files without problem.

Neither of the two desktops are in a domain, they are both part of a workgroup.

As for using windows server, we have it as we are running IIS to provide some services, such as a local web site that is accessed from ipads around the house, and also as a test-bed for applications that get deployed (I'm a software developer by profession, but no expert in networks). Finally, it is used as a central location for backups from the other desktop and the lap top, from which the backed up data is stored in the cloud. We probably coold do all of this on Win7, but windows server was more suitable, so we used it.

All of which doesn't get us any nearer

Without using Active Directory, do you have any suggestions for allowing the Win8 lap top to access the files on the windows server machine, like the Win7 machine can?

Thanks

Click to expand...

I can't imagine why this would all work with Windows 7 and not Windows 8.1, besides the obvious things like turning on Network Discovery and File and Printer sharing.

Isn't Network Discovery and File and Printer sharing to do with other machines being able to see this one? I'm more worried about why this machine can't see the WinServer machine, when it can see the Win7 machine.

Or did I miss something?
Thanks

Well, in case it helps anyone, I got this sorted. Turned out to be quite easy - once you know how!

On the Win8 machine, I went to Control Panel -> User Accounts and Family Safety -> User Accounts and clicked the link named "Manage your credentials" in the left panel. I clicked Windows Credentials, and this showed a list of stored network user names and passwords. I added a new one for the server machine, went back to Windows Explorer and was able to navigate to the folders on the other machine without problem.

No idea why Win8 asked me for a user name and password for the Win7 machine, but didn't for the Win8 machine. However, once I added one, it worked fine.

Hope this helps someone.