I have followed the directions step by step by step in the long [Deleted] user manual found online.
I cannot access my network shares at all. They just plum don’t show. Network connection works fine on the SMP. I can see the device when logged into my router. I can see the SMP as a Media Device under my Network Explorer (but cannot browse it when viewing the full map), and can log onto the device using its ip address on my desktop.
All of my homegroup advanced sharing options have been selected as required (namely Turn on network discovery,
Turn on file and printer sharing, Media streaming is off, and Allow Windows to manage homegroup connections (recommended)), my network is set as a home network, and I have enabled network share server and updated my workgroup name on the SMP.
Several external HDs attached to my desktop, along with a folder or two have been shared with my HomeGroup allowing full read/write access.
I don’t know [Deleted] else to do here.
Any help would be appreciated.
I am running Win7Enterprise, and can provide any and all additional information required.
You are confused. Do *NOT* intermix the two terms HOMEGROUP and WORKGROUP. They are VERY different concepts.
No, there is no mention of configuring Homegroups in that document. The word HOMEGROUP is only mentioned because that word is listed in the WINDOWS configuration screens that are being accessed.
The SMP does *NOT* support homegroups, nor does any other Non-Windows7-box. It supports WORKGROUPS, and yes, the name is set to “WORKGROUP”
thanks, thats great info. and all - but what exactly is it I need to do differently? or above and beyond what I have already done?
is there some way in windows 7 to configure my “workgroup”, as opposed to a homegroup? - because I did what the manual I linked to said, and that did not work.
Agree about the distinction of HOMEGROUP vs. WORKGROUP— HOMEGROUP is a Win 7-specific situation for only Win 7 computers sharing a network. Other computers (XP, Vista — and a WDTV) share among themselves – and WDTV via a WORKGROUP condition.
Unless you have other Win 7 computers that will share the network, turn off the HOMEGROUP feature; you don’t need it.
What needs to be the condition is that all units on a network have to be in the same WORKGROUP… If you don’t know how to do this, just ask. BTW, the default name Windows devotes to the name of a WORKGROUP is (surprise) WORKGROUP. Just set all Workgroups for all units to be the default name.
Before setting up the WDTV did you have a sharing network set up between the WIn 7 PC and any other PCs in your home? If not, then it might help to do that first. What other Windows version PCs might you want to share on the network?
Also, take the password issue out of the picture by setting up the Win 7 to not require a password (in Advanced Sharing Settings) , and the WDTV not to need to input one via setting its auto-logon to ON condition.
This all should enable you to use the Network Shares feature of WDTV. (If I left something out, someone else will fill in.)
BTW, the default name Windows devotes to the name of a WORKGROUP is (surprise) WORKGROUP. Just set all Workgroups for all units to be the default name.
Just a note: That’s not always correct. Some Windows versions use the default name “MS HOME.” Also, some system integrators will change the name. Why? Who knows…
Suffice it to say, just make sure they’re all the same, whatever you choose.
For what it’s worth I had all kinds of problems with this which resulted in me returning the box while I still could get my money back. I was able to see my Windows 7 shares and then they would just disappear unexpectedly. I fiddled with the “Master Browser” with no success.
However, the new firmware that was just released had an item that sounded like it might address problems with Windows 7 shares so are you using the latest firmware? As others have said, you need to match the Workgroup names on both the SMP and your Win 7 PC. Let me know how you get on because I was thinking of trying again if the new firmware makes any difference.
I have a mixed network of a windows XP box with network shares,DLNA servers, a, a windows 7 PC with networked shares,a windows 7 laptop and both a WDTV LivePlus and a WDTV SMP.
I have no problems with any device seeing any other. Networking issues should not be a reason to return the box…
As others have said,fixing fundamental network issues such as correct workgroup settings,name,sharing rights,
password protection have to be addressed first. Make sure all your network devices can see each other and you can
Tony >>> Just a note: That’s not always correct. Some Windows versions use the default name “MS HOME.” Also, some system integrators will change the name. Why? Who knows…
C’mon, Tony, you know why . . . It’s just another little way Microsoft tries to confuse us even more.! :-)
Just curious, was this in the lame Windows ME? :-) (Really, I don’t care where.)
I have a mixed network of a windows XP box with network shares,DLNA servers, a, a windows 7 PC with networked shares,a windows 7 laptop and both a WDTV LivePlus and a WDTV SMP.
I have no problems with any device seeing any other. Networking issues should not be a reason to return the box…
As others have said,fixing fundamental network issues such as correct workgroup settings,name,sharing rights,
password protection have to be addressed first. Make sure all your network devices can see each other and you can
I’m having the same problem. How do I set up a “WORKGROUP” (rather than a ‘HOMEGROUP’)?
The WDTV unit is connected to the network. I can see it on my Mac in Finder, and it shows up under Network on my PC, although “currently in use” is listed along side and I can’t actually acces the WTDV unit or the external USB drive attached to the WDTVLive.
How do I get the WDTV unit to “find” my shared network drives on the PC? I’ve set them all up as shared, no password required.
Interestingly I can access the external USB drive from the Mac but not the PC
>>> I’m having the same problem. How do I set up a “WORKGROUP” (rather than a ‘HOMEGROUP’)?
First of all, turn off (or delete/remove) any HOMEGROUP setup you have made. It is a Win7 “thing” between Win 7 puters, and does not work with XP puters, WDTVs – these all rely on Workgroups, You already have a default Workgroup set up on the Win 7, and likely it is named WORKGROUP. To confirm this, click on Control Panel/System. Somewhere in the middle of the page you will see the name of the Workgroup. If it is not the default mentioned, change it via the “Change settings” you will see in blue to the right of the screen. You will be able to type WORKGROUP in and save it. Do the same for the other PCs in the network and for the WDTV. It is the Workgroup that places all the puters you want to be together on the network to actually be together in the same group.
>>> The WDTV unit is connected to the network. I can see it on my Mac in Finder, and it shows up under Network on my PC, although “currently in use” is listed along side and I can’t actually access the WDTV unit or the external USB drive attached to the WDTVLive.
I see “currently in use” when my WDTV is, in use; meaning it is either streaming music, showing a movie, transferring a file etc. So, did you happen to see this while it was in use, or do you see it all the time? It also could mean the mac can’t use it, so to it, the HD is “in use” Just don’t know wny.
>>> How do I get the WDTV unit to “find” my shared network drives on the PC? I’ve set them all up as shared, no password required.
As mentioned before, all units need to be in the same Workgroup. In addition, folders need to be shared correctly. Windows Help explains all this as well as the advanced sharing options menu. When you click to share a folder, it likely gives you, the owner permission to share by default. You have to add another: "Everyone " from the menu so that anyone (incl WDTV) can share, too.
As for passwords, this is what I wrote someone recently about that:
If you are using Win 7, set up Win 7 advanced sharing to turn off password protected sharing, and set up WDTV settings to do an auto log-on for shares. End of password problem issues for Network shares.
>>> Interestingly I can access the external USB drive from the Mac but not the PC
Well, Macs are different; they use a program called Bonjour, I believe, for auto-networks, and are more “forgiving” than Windows. Even PCs can have a version of Bonjour on them if they have iTunes installed. it is the program that enables iTunes on one PC on the network to share (play) music to and from another with iTunes on the network.
I am having the same problem tonight when I tired to connect and copy files over to the WDTV. This was not a problem a few days ago but currently is causing an issue. I am also getting a messsage “Currently in Use” but no one is streaming anything from the WDTV Plus. I also tried to power off and leave unplugged for 40 seconds and then powered back on same problem. “Currently in Use”.
Does anyone know if there was a firmware upgrade or something because this is new haven’t had this problem before. I don’t know what to do no since I’ve tried to power off and back on. I’ve also restarted my PC in case there was a problem with trying to attach to the device. No luck… BTW I am running Win 7.
If there was a firmware update, you would have know so, as it would have notified you upon boot up of the player. Then, you would have had the opportuity to accept or reject the upgrade. BTW, what kind of WD player are you using?
Try turing all off again, and this time disconnet the HD from the WD and remove power from the drive for a few moments, too, before plugging it all back in. If this doesn’t help, then I guess I am stumped.
We have the WDTV Live Hub Plus. I tried powering off and unplugging and the “Currently in use” message is gone but when I click on “Network” media devices from explorer I see 2 items WDTVLiveHub and TwonkyServer WDTVLiveHub.
Before this started I was able to click on WDTVLiveHub and gain access to the acutal drive to copy files over. Now when I click on the WDTVLiveHub the web page pop’s up to login to the device. Which I have already logged in to the device and that page is kind of well you can’t do much from there.
It definantly is not what I have expereinced in the past couple of weeks the drive was always available for me to copy files over to the correct directories.
