can't see other computers in network

I am running windows 8.1 and have other computers on the network running windows 7.
I haven't quite got my network settings correct, but am not sure what is going on.
If I am connected to the homegroup, none of the other computers is displayed.
If I disconnect from the homegroup, they are all displayed but I can't access them.

Im sure it is something simple but can't work it out

Thanks
Rob

Which PC has created the homegroup? Once the home group is created, have the other PC joined that homegroup with the password created by the PC that created the homegroup? Have you checked the settings for each PC to make sure that each is set to "turn on network discovery". Is the "turn on password portected sharing" been enabled/disabled. I find it easier to have all PC's have that set to disable while in the homegroup. Basically, the homegroup is a small network with in your home network strictly for file sharing.

not sure what the problem was but disconnected all the computers from existing homegroup and started a new one. seems to be ok now.