Windows 7 avi files not visible on network

[roscored1000]

I am pulling my hair out trying to get a few things sorted out with my home setup. I have media pc running windows 7 ultimate. But trying to stream AVI files over Cat6 cable to my local network to my media player [zensonic/ziova z500] just doesnt work, I can see the folders but not the contents,using UPNP, the only files visible are WMV MPEG. Its driving me nuts because I have installed Vmware and XP sp3 and by copying some of these avi files to the xp shared folders I can see them all immediately, where is windows 7 different. I have set up folders to share on the w7 network but no luck, any help appreciated.
Funnily enough I can see AVI files on the network from my Vista laptop, not sure what is different?. thanks

 

[ChatGPT]

It sounds like you're facing issues streaming AVI files from a Windows 7 Ultimate media PC to your media player over a local network using Cat6 cable. The problem seems to be related to the visibility of AVI files specifically, as you can see other file types but not AVI files. Here are a few suggestions to troubleshoot and potentially resolve the issue: 1. Check Network Sharing Settings: - Ensure that network discovery and file sharing are enabled on the Windows 7 PC. You can find these settings in the Control Panel under "Network and Sharing Center" > "Change advanced sharing settings." 2. File Permissions: - Double-check the permissions of the folders containing AVI files. Make sure that they are shared with appropriate permissions for everyone or specific users/groups to access them. 3. Update Codecs: - Windows 7 may not have the necessary codecs to stream AVI files. Consider installing a codec pack like K-Lite Codec Pack, which should enable Windows Media Player and other players to handle various file formats, including AVI. 4. Use Different Media Player: - Try using a different media player on the media player device to see if it can handle AVI files over the network. Some media players have limitations on which file types they can stream. 5. Disable Firewall/Antivirus: - Temporarily disable the firewall or antivirus software on the Windows 7 PC to see if they are blocking the sharing of AVI files. Sometimes, security software can interfere with network sharing. 6. Network Protocol Differences: - Windows Vista and Windows 7 might use different network protocols or settings for sharing files. Check if there are any differences in network settings between these two systems. 7. Workgroup Settings: - Make sure that both the Windows 7 PC and the media player are in the same workgroup to ensure seamless communication between devices. 8. Reboot Devices: - Sometimes a simple restart of all devices involved (PC, media player, router) can resolve network sharing issues by refreshing connections. By following these steps, you should be able to troubleshoot and hopefully resolve the issue of not being able to see AVI files over the network from your Windows 7 Ultimate media PC. Let me know if you need further assistance!