Windows 7 and XP- Homegroup/workgroup issue

**64met** · June 26th, 2010, 03:50 AM

Hi, relatively new to Boxee and had a question that I was hoping someone could help me with: On my network, I have one xp and one W7 machine. Both are set up to share and have enabled device sharing. The problem I am having is in the xp world it is workgroup; W7 homegroup. As I try and add media the xp machine works great. The w7 not so much. I also tried to share on my w7 through the UPNP option in Boxee and still no joy. So, are there known conflicts .homegroup/workgroup? Ideally, I would like to share my media from both machines, is this possible? Hopefully this makes sense and Thanks in advance!

**64met** · June 26th, 2010, 06:19 AM

Update; I also manually entered my W7 machine Ip address and then I am prompted for a password/username???? I never set up either on the W7 machine. There has to be an easier way. Thxs

**judgeschambers** · June 26th, 2010, 07:02 AM

I seem to remember that XP requires a user/pass to access shared folders. You have to set each machine up with a log on user/pass to enable sharing. To allow my Win-7 machine to access them, I had to make sure all machines were powered on and awake. Then rerun the shared folder program on xp. Reboot all machines and then the folders would show up on Win-7. Open the xp share and enter the user/pass and save.

Now, I did rename my work group to the Windows 7 format just to keep things simple for me. Same for my Windows Home Server (WHS) work group.

Now, that's just to use the Shared Folder options within Windows itself.

Since I don't share folders between boxee machines because I use a centralized server for it all (WHS), I thought I'd try to view those shared folders through Boxee on each machine. On my XP box when I try to add a source file for indexing, I can see the Windows 7 machine files via the SAMBA share and the UPNP, but it does not let me open or add the file at first..... I had to try several times and got prompted for a user/pass. I entered the Win7 info and I was able to then I pick which folder I wanted to share and added it just fine.

If I try to just browse via the Files icon BEFORE setting up the share with the user/pass, I get the "failed to retrieve data" error. Now that I've added the Win7 machine as a share for boxee I can now use the File icon to browse the entire Win7 machine.

Now, to share the XP files with Win7 boxee, I'll have to test later.

**64met** · June 26th, 2010, 07:15 AM

Originally Posted by judgeschambers

I seem to remember that XP requires a user/pass to access shared folders. You have to set each machine up with a log on user/pass to enable sharing. To allow my Win-7 machine to access them, I had to make sure all machines were powered on and awake. Then rerun the shared folder program on xp. Reboot all machines and then the folders would show up on Win-7. Open the xp share and enter the user/pass and save.

Now, I did rename my work group to the Windows 7 format just to keep things simple for me. Same for my Windows Home Server (WHS) work group.

Now, that's just to use the Shared Folder options within Windows itself.

Since I don't share folders between boxee machines because I use a centralized server for it all (WHS), I thought I'd try to view those shared folders through Boxee on each machine. On my XP box when I try to add a source file for indexing, I can see the Windows 7 machine files via the SAMBA share and the UPNP, but it does not let me open or add the file at first..... I had to try several times and got prompted for a user/pass. I entered the Win7 info and I was able to then I pick which folder I wanted to share and added it just fine.

If I try to just browse via the Files icon BEFORE setting up the share in Boxee with the user/pass, I get the "failed to retrieve data" error. Now that I've added the Win7 machine as a share for boxee I can now use the File icon to browse the entire Win7 machine.

Now, to share the XP files with Win7 boxee, I'll have to test later.

Thxs for the reply: When U mention entered the W7 information and was able to pick what folder.... what specific W7 information did u enter? Thxs

**judgeschambers** · June 26th, 2010, 07:22 AM

Originally Posted by 64met

Thxs for the reply: When U mention entered the W7 information and was able to pick what folder.... what specific W7 information did u enter? Thxs

My Windows 7 log on User/password.

**64met** · June 26th, 2010, 07:42 AM

Originally Posted by judgeschambers

My Windows 7 log on User/password.

I never set up a w7 password. My pc is just called Jim's PC- but no specific password/ user name. I posted over on the W7 forum as well........

**judgeschambers** · June 26th, 2010, 07:52 AM

I believe to enable file sharing of any sort on any OS, you must create a password to go with that user.

I know this to be true of XP....

**64met** · June 26th, 2010, 04:14 PM

Originally Posted by judgeschambers

I believe to enable file sharing of any sort on any OS, you must create a password to go with that user.

I know this to be true of XP....

Thxs! Got it all figured out

Take care

**judgeschambers** · June 27th, 2010, 08:42 AM

Originally Posted by 64met

Thxs! Got it all figured out

Take care

Was setting up a password for the user accounts the solution as suspected?

**64met** · June 28th, 2010, 04:03 AM

Originally Posted by judgeschambers

Was setting up a password for the user accounts the solution as suspected?

Well, actually no. The problem was on the W7 machine in the advanced sharing settings- some how (not sure how) but the use password option was checked. I unchecked this, restart my machine and all is good..

BTW: Very new to Boxee- but LOVE it! The interface is very cool!