Win8.1 laptop can't see the homegroup any more

Jmac

New Member
Messages
9
I have a laptop with win 8.1 and have set up a homegroup. My printer is connected to this laptop. I also have a Vista machine and can access the printer with workgroups. I have a second laptop with 8.1 that was accessing the printer attached to the first machine OK, but today it won't - message is Access denied.

I have been reading the threads and tried all the options I have found - deleted the homegroup and tried setting it up again with no luck. I have disabled the firewall (temporarily). I have checked the registry for IPv6 and all the suggestions on that thread. I have checked the clocks are in sync.

On the second 8.1 laptop, the first machine comes up in Explorer, but is not available, yet Troubleshooting doesn't find anything wrong. When I go into Homegroup I only see Create, not Join.

Any ideas what I can try so I can print?
Thanks
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    VISTA
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP
What Internet Security Software are you running on the machines? Can the computers still see shared devices through Network Sharing.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Mint 17.2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satellite C850D-st3nx1
    CPU
    AMD E1-1200 APU with Radeon (tm) HD Graphics 1.40 GHZ
    Memory
    12GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon™ HD 7310 Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    Crucial M500 240GB SSD
    Mouse
    Logitech M525
    Internet Speed
    45/6 - ATT U-Verse
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    None needed. It is Linux.
    Other Info
    Arris NVG589 Gateway; Router - Cisco RV320; Switch - Netgear GS108 8-Port Switch & Trendnet TEG-S50g 5-Port Switch; Access Points - Engenius ECB350, Trendnet TEW-638APB; NAS - Lenovo ix2-4; Printer - Brother HL-2280DW; Air Print Server - Lantronix XPrintServer

    A/V UPS - Tripp-Lite Smart 1500LCD 1500 Va/900 W.
I am only using windows defender, and I have disabled the firewall on both machines to try and eliminate any issues. The computers can see each other on Network Sharing, and using the machine with the printer connected I just double clicked on the icon for the PC that doesn't show "join homegroup" and it is asking for credentials to connect to PC. I'm not sure what/whose ID is required here... I don't use a password on the machine. Is this the problem?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    VISTA
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP
It is the user ID & Password that was used to log into the other computer.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Mint 17.2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satellite C850D-st3nx1
    CPU
    AMD E1-1200 APU with Radeon (tm) HD Graphics 1.40 GHZ
    Memory
    12GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon™ HD 7310 Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    Crucial M500 240GB SSD
    Mouse
    Logitech M525
    Internet Speed
    45/6 - ATT U-Verse
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    None needed. It is Linux.
    Other Info
    Arris NVG589 Gateway; Router - Cisco RV320; Switch - Netgear GS108 8-Port Switch & Trendnet TEG-S50g 5-Port Switch; Access Points - Engenius ECB350, Trendnet TEW-638APB; NAS - Lenovo ix2-4; Printer - Brother HL-2280DW; Air Print Server - Lantronix XPrintServer

    A/V UPS - Tripp-Lite Smart 1500LCD 1500 Va/900 W.
That is where I get stuck, because I don't use any passwords to log into the other computer, it just boots up straight to the windows desktop screen. As far as I can see, I am automatically logged in as "User" with Administrator rights. So I don't know what to put when the PC with the printer connected asks me for username and password - it doesn't accept anything with a blank password.
Thanks for your help - appreciate any advice to get this sorted.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    VISTA
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP
The advice is already given. You need to set a password for the username on the other computer, or uncheck Password protection Network shares in advanced in Network Neighborhood.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Mint 17.2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satellite C850D-st3nx1
    CPU
    AMD E1-1200 APU with Radeon (tm) HD Graphics 1.40 GHZ
    Memory
    12GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon™ HD 7310 Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    Crucial M500 240GB SSD
    Mouse
    Logitech M525
    Internet Speed
    45/6 - ATT U-Verse
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    None needed. It is Linux.
    Other Info
    Arris NVG589 Gateway; Router - Cisco RV320; Switch - Netgear GS108 8-Port Switch & Trendnet TEG-S50g 5-Port Switch; Access Points - Engenius ECB350, Trendnet TEW-638APB; NAS - Lenovo ix2-4; Printer - Brother HL-2280DW; Air Print Server - Lantronix XPrintServer

    A/V UPS - Tripp-Lite Smart 1500LCD 1500 Va/900 W.
Still no luck I'm afraid. I went to Network and Internet, Network and Sharing Center, Change advanced sharing settings and checked the settings there - in the Private profile, I have network discovery turned on, file and printer sharing turned on, and Allow windows to manage homegroup connections. The only place I could find password protection was under the All Networks section, and I turned this off on both PCs.

There is still no homegroup available to join on the second PC, and I can't connect to the printer of the first PC.

Grateful if you have any other ideas what might be wrong.
Thanks
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    VISTA
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP
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