homegroup problem

[Seasidepeter]

I have three pcs all running windows 7. The main desktop is connected
directly to the internet via ethernet and a router; the others are
wireless connections.

When I click on Homegroup in the main pc I get the message "the
homegroup is not available because you are not connected to the home
network."

When I try to create a homegroup in control panel I get the same
message. If I try to "join an existing network" a panel opens up in the
bottom right of the status bar saying "currently connected to network.
Internet access." And all homegroup options are greyed out except "Leave
homegroup"- which apparently isn't available!

I have no idea what's going on. Can anyone cast any light on the problem?

TIA

 

[Snoker Wead]

I have three pcs all running windows 7. The main desktop is connected
directly to the internet via ethernet and a router; the others are
wireless connections.

When I click on Homegroup in the main pc I get the message "the homegroup
is not available because you are not connected to the home network."

When I try to create a homegroup in control panel I get the same message.
If I try to "join an existing network" a panel opens up in the bottom
right of the status bar saying "currently connected to network. Internet
access." And all homegroup options are greyed out except "Leave
homegroup"- which apparently isn't available!

I have no idea what's going on. Can anyone cast any light on the problem?

TIA

make sure "client for microsoft networks" is installed on main computer.

 

[Ken Blake]

I have three pcs all running windows 7. The main desktop is connected
directly to the internet via ethernet and a router; the others are
wireless connections.

When I click on Homegroup in the main pc I get the message "the
homegroup is not available because you are not connected to the home
network."

When I try to create a homegroup in control panel I get the same
message. If I try to "join an existing network" a panel opens up in the
bottom right of the status bar saying "currently connected to network.
Internet access." And all homegroup options are greyed out except "Leave
homegroup"- which apparently isn't available!

I have no idea what's going on. Can anyone cast any light on the problem?

I strongly recommend that you avoid homegroups and use workgroups
instead. They are almost identical, but a homegroup works only with
Windows 7 computers. That may be OK for you now, but if you ever need
to add a Windows XP or Vista computer, you'll be out of luck.

 

[Yousuf Khan]

I strongly recommend that you avoid homegroups and use workgroups
instead. They are almost identical, but a homegroup works only with
Windows 7 computers. That may be OK for you now, but if you ever need
to add a Windows XP or Vista computer, you'll be out of luck.

Well, homegroups are all that's available in Win7. However, the
homegroups can be made to be compatible with older-style workgroups by
disabling the requirement for encryption.

Yousuf Khan

 

[Sunny]

Well, homegroups are all that's available in Win7. However, the
homegroups can be made to be compatible with older-style workgroups by
disabling the requirement for encryption.

Yousuf Khan

My Windows7 Home has both workgroup and homegroup available.
I am using workgroup through a router with 3 computers (WinXP and Win98SE)
using Ethernet cables and 2 Netbooks (Win7 Home) using WiFi.
No problems with sharing files and/or transferring content.

 

[Ken Blake]

Well, homegroups are all that's available in Win7.

Sorry, but that is *not* correct. Workgroups are available (as I said
above), and if you are running Professional, Ultimate, or Enterprise,
Domains are also available.