Can't see Network shares - no Browser in Registry - NetB Scanner shows

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  1. Posts : 165
    Win 10 preview 10074
       #1

    Can't see Network shares - no Browser in Registry - NetB Scanner shows


    This is another problem with home network computers not seeing each other. I have six computers on a workgroup called HTPC. All computers running Win 10 (all Home version except one is Pro). All on version 1803. BTW - I see ver 1809 is now being downloaded.

    One of the computers is called "Server" this is my HTPC (movies, music storage/server). On this computer I can only see computers "Mike", Karen" and "Server".

    On my office computer, "Mike", I can see all the computers in the workgroup. I need to see them all from the "Server" so I can sync music, files added, etc.

    I ran the NetBScanner - Net BIOS Scanner program linked to in another thread, and with that, on the "Server" I can see all of the other computers. I just can't see them using the File Explorer>Network. The computer "Mike" is listed as the master browser.

    Also following these instructions Master Browser Service broken after Creator update
    in the first reply, I have no "Browser" folder/keys at
    \HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services \Browser\Parameters

    On the other computers this Browser folder/key is there. I tried resetting the Network and restarting computers. I still can't get this to work.

    What do I need to do to get all computers on my home network to see each other?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 30,120
    Windows 11 Pro x64 Version 23H2
       #2

    Hi CountryBumkin

    Please have a look at this tutorial on "Sharing"

    Share Files and Folders Over a Network in Windows 10


    Some services that can be an issue with 1803.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 11,247
    Windows / Linux : Arch Linux
       #3

    Hi folks

    hope you all had great XMAS yesterday.

    @CountryBumkin

    I see all sorts of sophisticated answers on this section none of which ever seem to do the whole trick.

    The only thing I've found that works and since doing it I've not had problems of missing computers etc is as follows: (Note if accessing older devices / computers on network you will also need to enable SMB1 in Windows on W10 computers).

    1) Turn off (and keep off for the moment) every device that can be connected to your network including Phones, tablets, smart TV's, media players, SKY boxes, amazon fire TV's etc. Turn the entire lot off, including router, any wifi extenders etc.

    2) Have cup of coffee, beer, whisky etc -- don't do anything for 10 mins -- I know some of you will go bonkers if they can't use their phones for 10 mins !!!!!

    3) Start router, any wifi extenders and ONE computer --- don't start phones, other devices yet.

    4) on your computer log in to the router and check devices connected -- you should also be able to see IP addresses of what's connected

    (Your router might have different screens but the functionality should be there)

    5) select info and make the device static address as shown below (including wifi extenders, wifi speakers etc)

    Can't see Network shares - no Browser in Registry - NetB Scanner shows-modem1.png

    Can't see Network shares - no Browser in Registry - NetB Scanner shows-modem2.png


    6) do for each device in turn (one by one) and check router network status each time assigning each new connected device a static IP until all devices up and running.

    This works far better than assigning static IP addresses in windows !!

    I know some network guru will come along and say this is B/S -- all I can say I've tried this at my place and 3 other locations where sometimes one computer can't be seen on a LAN and it works every time -- don't ask me why -- maybe it's as simple as a wifi extender has an IP address that another machine is trying to use or whatever -- I really don't know but this works. !!! I'm an Engineer so if it works I'm fine -- I'll leave that to others to work out why !!!!.

    Finally leave DHCP in the computer networking setup -- computer will get the IP address from the router which will have reserved static addresses for you automatically. That way no need for any IP addresses to be set in config files on computers etc.

    One final point -- If using older Linux devices as NAS servers you might / probably will need to ensure this is in the samba.conf file in the [global] section note now NT1 rather than SMB1for later versions of SAMBA (>4.7)

    #======================= Global Settings =====================================

    [global]
    max protocol = NT1 *********This line**********
    ; max protocol = SMB3
    # can set it to SMB2 if you want experimental SMB2 support.
    #
    workgroup = WORKGROUP
    server string = Samba Server Version %v

    Cheers
    jimbo
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 165
    Win 10 preview 10074
    Thread Starter
       #4

    I've been working on this all day. Still not fixed.

    I forced an update to Win 10 version 1809 for all my computers (I used Windows 10 Update Assistant on those machines that would not update via the Check for Updates feature). But that did not solve the problem either. It did change a few things.

    Now I can see the "Server", and computer "Inspiron" (my laptop) and "Karen" from the Server, but can see "Mike" (my computer) or "Bdrm" or "Fmlyrm".

    The computer I'm on now ("Mike"), does not even see itself in File Explorer>Networks.

    I tried the suggestions above. I can't add files or folders to share, since i can't see that computer to pick those folders.
    I tried the shutting everything off and waiting , then restarting one by one. That didn't work.

    The router is provided by AT&T (it's a DSL/router). I can access it through internet explorer and all my computers show there.

    I ran the NetScan program and all the computers are listed. It says the FMLYRM computer is the master browser. I don't know if that will change once the Win 1809 update finishes installing (this is the last computer to get updated). On the FMLYRM computer I can log into each other computer except "Mike". It says my credentials or password is incorrect. So I will be looking into this now (maybe I'm signed in to Microsoft account rather than Local account on this computer.

    But I should still be able to see "Mike" from the "Server" and on the other computers. This is making my head hurt.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 165
    Win 10 preview 10074
    Thread Starter
       #5

    I fixed the last part ("Mike" not showing on any computers). It was setup to use Microsoft account logon instead of local account. There was some pop up about a problem needing to be fixed by entering my Microsoft logon. That apparently switched my out of the local account. WHY WHY WHY Microsoft? Why do you make it so difficult?!

    Still need to fix my setup so each computer on my home network see each other - but I'm getting closer.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 11,247
    Windows / Linux : Arch Linux
       #6

    Hi there
    Ms account is often the root of "all evil" !!! You don't have to have it once computers have been activated with digital license.

    Not sure why you need a master browser in the network -- mine works fine with simple file sharing - a suggestion also use same password on all the local machines until you get it working and you can also turn off the firewalls - and any 3rd party A/V software e.g Malwarebytes or whatever.

    For networks it's easiest to start with bare minimum security (or even none) and once you've got the base network running add increasing levels of security - a bit at a time and ensure network still OK. Increase level gradually until it's where you want it. Also only change one thing at a time otherwise you won't have a clue what broke or fixed the problem !!!

    Cheers
    jimbo
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 165
    Win 10 preview 10074
    Thread Starter
       #7

    I think the master browser on FMLYRM computer will be gone once the upgrade to 1809 completes. I'll post back.
    Thanks
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 165
    Win 10 preview 10074
    Thread Starter
       #8

    Last computer upgraded to 1809 - now that computer (FMLYRM) only see one of the seven in the network. And the master browser is showing as computer "MIKE".

    So MIKE can see all computers (still showing as the "master browser" after the 1809 updates on all computers finished). Snip below is from MIKE computer

    The other computers only see one or two computers in the network (for example, now "SERVER" only sees "KAREN" in the network). How do I get the "info" from the master browser to the other computers?
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Can't see Network shares - no Browser in Registry - NetB Scanner shows-network-listing-mike.jpg  
    Last edited by CountryBumkin; 27 Dec 2018 at 09:22.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 30,120
    Windows 11 Pro x64 Version 23H2
       #9

    Quick thought... did you check all devices to ensure they are on Private network. Have seen instances where public gets choosen by default. You can check by going settings > Network and Internet > Status

    Also please shut off router, wait 20 seconds, restart
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 165
    Win 10 preview 10074
    Thread Starter
       #10

    Yes, I have checked all the other computers to be sure they have the same Sharing settings and are all Private, and are on the same workgroup.

    I did not try rebooting the router. I'll do that now. \

    Not sure if it matters, but the MIKE computer is on
    Network 4" and the others just say "Network". I don't know how these names are assigned (it's not the network name where you can edit/change it).
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Can't see Network shares - no Browser in Registry - NetB Scanner shows-mike.jpg   Can't see Network shares - no Browser in Registry - NetB Scanner shows-server.jpg   Can't see Network shares - no Browser in Registry - NetB Scanner shows-fmlyrm.jpg  
      My Computer


 

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