Windows 7 Networking Issues - multiple laptops in a Homegroup

[nickm]

I have 3 laptops, lap1, lap2, and lap3, connected via a wireless network. All 3 laptops belong to the same 'Homegroup'.

All 3 laptops are listed under "Network" but lap1 cannot connect to lap2 (and vice versa) whereas lap3 can interface to both lap1 and lap2 (and vice versa).

Lap1 lists only lap3 in 'Homegroup'

Lap2 lists only lap3 in 'Homegroup'

Lap3 lists both Lap1 and Lap2 in 'Homegroup'

I need all 3 laptops to see and interface to each other equally. What is wrong?

 

[Trouble]

You say you can see all the computers from each other? But you don't say what happens when you "cannot connect". Are you getting any messages (access denied, network path not found)??
First you might want to ......

enable NetBIOS over TCP/IP in the properties of IPv4, under the WINS tab, within the properties of your network interface card.
type services.msc into the search box and hit enter
confirm that the following services are started, consider setting the startup type to automatic
Computer Browser
Function Discovery Provider Host
Function Discovery Resource Publication
Network Connections
Network List Service
Network Location Awareness
Network Store Interface Service
Server
SSDP Discovery
TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper
Workstation

Additionally if you are getting something like network path not found ....

The network path issue is almost always the result of an over zealous third party software package obstructing the propagation of NetBIOS information across the network
 (NetBIOS / WINS resolves machine names (Computer friendly names) to IP addresses.
Could be third party firewalls (ZoneAlarm, Comodo, etc.,) or any number of Internet Security Suites ( AVG, Avast, Avira, Norton/Symantec, McAfee, etc.,) try removing any such product
 by using the program uninstaller if available in the programs directory, or the Programs and Features applet in the Control Panel, follow that up with the vendor specific proprietary removal tool,
 a list of some can be found here [B]Link Removed[/B] if yours is not present in the list, try googling for the removal tool.
Consider replacing any such product with the built in Windows Firewall and[B]Link Removed due to 404 Error[/B]

And if you are getting access denied errors, that is almost always related to username / password problem. Make them the same across all platforms, (not necessarily to logon but they need to be present on the other machines with the appropriate permissions associated with the network resources you are attempting to connect to) this will also help you avoid the sometimes confusing credential prompt requiring the MachineName\UserName format.
Keep us posted and good luck.
Randy