Computer Hope

Internet & Networking => Networking => Topic started by: jtmt on September 05, 2017, 06:36:59 AM

Title: Laptop not recognizing desktop
Post by: jtmt on September 05, 2017, 06:36:59 AM
For some reason I can't get my laptop to recognize my desktop or vice versa. Tried Homegroup but it doesn't work. Have to use my old password on the laptop for the same account. Using Windows 10, both HP computers. What am I missing?
Title: Re: Laptop not recognizing desktop
Post by: Mark. on September 05, 2017, 03:49:29 PM
in case you haven't, try this....

in Control Panel (change View By to icons), click Network and Sharing Centre > Change advanced sharing settings.
in all the sections, select Turn on network discovery, turn on file and printer sharing and in the All Networks section, Turn off password-protected sharing.
these settings can be fine tuned for your particular needs later, let's just get it working first.
click Save Changes.

repeat on other PC.

now in File Explorer, click Network in the left column.
that should show all your connected devices.
you should see whatever your laptop is called, and whatever your desktop is called.

drill down on the one you want to access and try to open a folder, if no success you may also have to setup file sharing permissions.
on that PC, right click the folder, Properties, Sharing, Share, use the drop down menu to pick Everyone, Add, change Read to Read/Write, click Share.
again, repeat accordingly on each PC for whatever sort of access you need.

then, perhaps, your AV's firewall may need tweaking.

that should get you started.  if successful you can fine tune the security settings if you need to, but in a Private, home use, network, there may not be a requirement to tighten things up too much.

Title: Re: Laptop not recognizing desktop
Post by: jtmt on September 06, 2017, 04:17:09 PM
Tried that. Still not working.
Title: Re: Laptop not recognizing desktop
Post by: Mark. on September 06, 2017, 05:48:47 PM
what about temporarily disabling your AV software on both units, particularly the firewall.
what is your AV?


and to confirm, all those steps mentioned, they've all be tried, on both PC's?


get the IP addresses of both PC's (from IPCONFIG at a command prompt).
can your PING the other PC's IP address?