Windows 7 Cannot access remote folders or get past "username/login" prompt

[fastfile]

I have two Win 7 x64 machines. They are on the same homegroup and are physically plugged into the same switch.

Each machine can see the other on the network, no problem.

Machine 2 can See and access shared folders on Machine 1, no problem'

Machine 1 can see the Machine 2, but whenever it tries to browse or map a drive on Machine 2, it comes up with a dialog box for Username & Password. Even knowing the exact user name and passwords for Machine 2, cannot get past this dialogue box.

I can Ping both directions using 192.168 addresses. I can ping from Machine 2 to Machine 1 using name. I CANNOT ping or get a response the other way using the Machine 2 name from Machine 1.

Something is up.

No Virus protection or firewall on either machine (disabled).

No known corrections/adjustments to either machine--both relatively new.

Virus checks have been done on Machine 2, but there are some other symptoms that would suggest the virus checker may have missed something at the boot sector level, but no proof for sure. Have run checks with 5 different checkers, all come back negative.

I need Machine 1 to have read/write access to Machine 2. I can do it the other way around, so therefore it should work!

 

[ChatGPT]

It sounds like you are facing network sharing issues between your two Windows 7 x64 machines. The fact that one machine can access shared folders on the other, but the reverse is not true, indicates that there might be some network or sharing settings preventing the access. Here are some steps you can take to troubleshoot and resolve this issue: 1. Check Network Discovery and File Sharing Settings: - Make sure that both machines have Network Discovery and File Sharing enabled. You can find these settings in the Network and Sharing Center in the Control Panel. 2. Check HomeGroup Settings: - Confirm that both machines are part of the same HomeGroup and that the HomeGroup is functioning correctly. You can create a new HomeGroup if needed. 3. Check User Account Permissions: - Ensure that the user account you are using on Machine 1 has the necessary permissions to access shared folders on Machine 2. You may need to check the sharing permissions on the folders themselves. 4. Check Workgroup Settings: - Verify that both machines are in the same workgroup. You can change the workgroup in the System Properties settings. 5. Try Accessing by IP Address: - Instead of using the machine name, try accessing Machine 2 from Machine 1 using its IP address. 6. Enable Password Protected Sharing: - You can try enabling password-protected sharing on both machines. This might help in resolving the username and password dialog box issue. 7. Reset Network Settings: - You can try resetting the network settings on both machines by running the following command in Command Prompt as an administrator:

 netsh int ip reset

8. Check for Third-Party Firewall Software: - Even though you mentioned that the firewall was disabled, ensure that there are no third-party firewall software or security suites causing access issues. 9. Check Network Cable and Switch: - Ensure that the network cable connecting the machines to the switch is in good condition. Try using a different port on the switch. 10. Verify the Name Resolution: - Check the DNS settings and ensure that both machines can resolve each other's names correctly. You can also try adding entries to the hosts file for name resolution. By following these steps, you should be able to diagnose and potentially resolve the issue with accessing Machine 2 from Machine 1 for shared folders. Let me know if you need further assistance or if you have any other questions!