win 7 home network

Hi

Network in essence is a combination of Computers and the OS’ running, Network Hardware, Internal traffic, External Internet traffic, and Users’ level of Computing/Networking knowledge.

That means a lot of exchange, and a lot of dynamic processes  most of it the unseen working in the background.

When troubles occur the “Blame Game” starts some user blame them self other do not like the hardware and there is always the OS and the software to pick on.

The trick is to stay away from the past and the blame game, "it worked before and it is Not working Now" is secondary, what has to be done is finding out why it is Not working Now.

If everything "looks" OK then the fastest solution is to reset redo some of the configuration and go on with Happy computing.

Win7 when configured on peer-to-peer Network has three types of Sharing configurations.

HomeGroup Network = Works only between Win 7 computers. This type of configuration makes it very easy to Entry Level Users to start Network sharing.

 Work Network = Basically similar to the previous methods of sharing that let you control what, how, and to whom folders would be shared with.

 Public Sharing = Public Network (like Internet cafe) to reduce security risks.

 For best results log to each computer's System Screen and set all the computers to be on a Network with the same name while each computer has its own unique name.

http://www.ezlan.net/Win7/net_name.jpg

Make sure that the Software Firewall on each computer allows free local traffic. If you use 3rd party Firewall On, Vista/XP Native Firewall should be Off, and the active Firewall has to adjusted to your Network IP numbers on what is some time called the Trusted Zone (consult your 3rd Party Firewall instructions

General example,  http://www.ezlan.net/faq#trusted

Please Note that some 3rd party Software Firewalls keep blocking aspects of Local Traffic even it they are turned Off (disabled). If possible configure the Firewall correctly, or totally uninstall it to allow clean flow of local network traffic. If the 3rd party software is uninstalled or disables, make sure that Windows native Firewall is On .

If your network is comprised of Win 7 only and you want a simple Network, use this.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/help/videos/sharing-files-with-homegroup

If the HomeGroup Network keeps given you "Hard time", and you are willing to spend some time on learning and configuring the Network, switch all the computers to the more flexible Work Network.

In the Network Center, clicking on the Network type opens the window to the right.

Choose your type of Network. Notice the check mark at the bottom, and check/uncheck it according to your needs.

http://www.ezlan.net/Win7/net_type.jpg

Win 7 - http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Networking-home-computers-running-different-versions-of-Windows

Win 7  Work Network specific folder sharing - http://www.onecomputerguy.com/windows7/windows7_sharing.htm

Vista File and Printer Sharing- http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb727037.aspx

Windows XP File Sharing - http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;304040

Printer Sharing XP - http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/expert/honeycutt_july2.mspx

Windows Native Firewall setting for Sharing XP - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/875357

Windows XP patch for Sharing with Vista (Not need for XP-SP3) - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/922120

When finished with the setting of the system it is advisable to Reboot all the hardware including the Router and all computers involved.

*Note. Some of the processes described above are done Not for Windows sake but to compensate for different Routers and the way their firmware works and stores the info about the computers that are Networked.