There has got to be a simple answer to this. What Account Name and password should I use to log into Network Shares? I tried “WORKGROUP,” and “HOMEGROUP” as the Account Name with the Homegroup password I get from Windows. That doesn’t work.? Any suggestions?
Skip the password thing altogether, and
-
turn auto logon to ON in WD setup menu
-
in Win 7 advanced sharing setting, turn OFF password protected sharing
Now, no password is required or given.
PS: Homegroups should be OFF for the WD Live Plus and other players; the WD requires Workgroups, not Homegroups. Homegroups is a Win 7-only feature and not really recognized as any sort of standard.
I bought the WD TV Live yesterday and while the initial setup was a snap, the Network Shares has been a major hassle that as shown by the thousands of hits on Google is a common problem.
Would you please clarify what this means?
the WD requires Workgroups, not Homegroups. Homegroups is a Win 7-only feature and not really recognized as any sort of standard.
Does this mean that my Win7 network must be a “Work” network and not a “Home” network?
The WD TV Live is seeing my machine, but it never sees any network shares. I followed the instructions to the letter, but this aspect is very unclear.
Does this mean that my Win7 network must be a “Work” network and not a “Home” network?
No, it should still be a “Home” network. It means your home network sharing must be done within a WORKGROUP (a networking standard) instead of a Windows 7 HOMEGROUP (a non-standard configuration). You must turn off Windows HOMEGROUP and setup and use a Workgroup. If you haven’t already, find the user guide for your WD player in the WD support center, download it and look through it for how to do.
I, or someone else can explain more once you answer this question:
Before you got the WD player, had you set up a home networK previously, or are you setting up a home network now because you bought the WD and need the home network operable (with sharing and all) ?
Thanks for the reply.
This is an existing home network, with two wired desktops that share four drives of data.
I have never had any issues with it, but this seems to be impossible to get to work reliably.
Here’s some more info:
Running Win 7 Pro on the main machine, which has two 2 TB internal storage drives that are shared in the network. I can play those files on either of the wired desktops or on either of the wireless laptops I also have.
The network is a “WORKGROUP” and was recognized as such by the WD TV Live.
When I initially installed the WD TV Live it was recognized by the network immediately; I ran cmd prompt “net view” and it was there, and was shown on both desktops as a device.
From there it was all downhill.
-
When I tried the server option, it only saw the two movies for which there’s a Nero DVD compilation file; it did not see the other 200 or so for which I only have VOBs (they are rips of DVDs I own).
-
When I tried the network share option it would sometimes ask for a UN/PW (I use no passwords on any Win accounts). It would see the workgroup, but it would never see any folders or files.
-
When (as a last resort) I tried the local storage option and plugged in my very new My Passport 2 TB drive it sometimes saw it and sometimes did not (sometimes gave me a message that no storage was attached). When it did see it I tried playing a VOB file and waiting for it to load was like watching grass grow. When it finally loaded playback was sluggish and unwatchable.
The only use I could possibly have for it if option 2) continues to fail would be to watch Netflix movies, which hardly makes this a worthwhile investment.
Before I even bought it I downloaded the OM from the WD site, so I have been following that religiously to no avail.
I saw a great many posts after searching on Google suggesting all sorts of workarounds; the one that really bothered me was the one that suggested that a special WD folder must be created, where all the mediia must reside. I have all my media very carefully organized in many very specific folders across the two drives and have automated redundant backups set up. I really don’t want to reinvent the wheel and redo my whole library to make this work (and don’t think I should have to).
Right now the unit is back in the box and ready to go back to B&H for a refund if I cannot get some simple solutions.
Thanks for any advice you can provide. I am a big fan of WD and have about a dozen WD drives. But this has been an extremely annoying hassle and a major disapppointment.
dg
Well, a lot going on here. Suggest you not be in such a rush to return the player back to B&H, as it seems you have a setup problem and not a defective player. You have an excellent media player, but it has to be set up correctly! I am a user like you, and i, like you, and a lot of others did not have things set up right at first and got frustrated. This networking stuff is more difficult than it needs to be (blame Windows, not the WD) so we need to get past that first.
So, first off, you cannot play IOS files on the media player from Media Server, they have to be played via Network shares and this is why:
http://wdc.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/3690/p/208%2C333/session/L3RpbWUvMTM1MzY1MjQ1NC9zaW…
Know that all hardware on the same network are ONLY on the same network if they are in the same Workgroup. So, in most cases the default name given to use for Workgroups by Windows is most usually WORKGROUP, so all PCs, and the media player will only talk to one another if their Workgroup is all the same name. Put another way, if Windows made the default name for Workgroups SPAGETTI, then all devices in a given network have to belong to a Workgroup named SPAGETTI.
So, be SURE all your devices you want in the network belong to a Workgroup named WORKGROUP.
OK, that done, then be sure you do not have all devices in a (Win 7) Homegroup, because the WD doesn’t use Homegroups, it uses Workgroups. WIndows can use either, but the WD doesn’t.
As for you questions about the passwords, did you take my suggestions and get the Network shares to work.without needing passwords. I can.
When all is working properly, you should be able to go into Network shares and pull files off the drives of your PCs and play them on the WD. If not, the shares are NOT set up right.
Media server SENDS files to your WD, so here is a simple test to see if that is working for you. Do you know how to use the “Play To” feature of Win 7? You can right click on either an mp3 or mp4 file that is on your PC hard drive, select to send it to the WDTV you see in a menu and play it to the WD, and the music or video will show up on your TV. If you can’t then, again, things are not set up right.
You say you have a WDTV Live Plus, but this is an older model unit (like mine), so maybe you have a newer WDTV Live Streaming player. If you have the newer unit, I cannot help with features specific to that unit. Other people here can help in that regard. Networking is “generic” so that is what I am helping you with.
As for needing a special folder for WD media, baloney. I have drives all over the place the WD can access, and it sees them like any other drive can be seen. The WD is like a PC in this regard; if it sees a media file, it can play it. – if it one that it is designed to play. I have lots of ISO files on drives connected to my WD; they all play fine. I have files on other drives in the network connected to other PCs; they play fine via the WD. I cannot play ISO files under Media server, because that is not possible (as detailed above.)
Two final suggestions:
1) It is a holiday weekend and this forum has been really quiet, so once folks return, others will be around here to help you.
- On Monday, give a phone call to WD support and get their help – they can do it! They helped me, and others and they can help you.
Mike: Thanks for extensive reply.
I have the Live, the new model, not the older Live Plus. I actually commented on a previous post regarding the Plus, hence the confusion. With the Live I have seen references to issues with Network Shares after upgrading to the newest fimrware.
Regarding the password issue:
As for you questions about the passwords, did you take my suggestions and get the Network shares to work.without needing passwords. I can.
There is no place in the setup to login automatically that I could find.
I believe I did have it configured to be in the same workgroup, but when I try again I’ll be sure.
The “Play to” option sounds like an excellent test and a better way of accessing these files. I find the remote to be really sluggish overall, which only added to my aggravation. There is a huge lag when hitting the remote to do anything, which I found surprising (these days). I was using the web-based remote to get around that.
I’ve already started a case with WD email support: Hoping they can shed some light on what’s happening.
dg
I reconnected, installed as per the OM, and confirmed that my media folders are all shared as per the installation instructions.
I confirmed that all my machines belong to a workgroup (by right clicking “Compter” and checking “Properties.”
I added my media folders to WMP and the “Play to” function works, but only for the same files that the Media Server allows (no VOBs show up at all). This prevents me from accessing the majority of my library.
The place where I get stuck is when I select the content source on the WD TV Live: If I select “Network Shares” I get a
“Windows Shares” window on my TV and the spinning orange arrow just keeps spinning and spinning and spinning. The red box with the “X” stays red.
So I am still unable to access files thru Network Shares.
Any ideas?
dg
Mike,
Thanks for all the great information. I got my WD set up after disabling the password protection. I don’t use a password to log in to my computer. So when password protection was enabled for the network I couldn’t log in with my user name because the WD wouldn’t accept a blank password.
I was able to use the Playto function when right clicking on a file in Windows Explorer as well as with Windows Media Player. I didn’t know about this function until you pointed it out.
Do you have any informaiton about higher sample rate audio files played on the WD TV Live Plus? I tried selecting them in Network Shares from the WD TV Live menu. My DAC indicated that both higher sample rate WAV files and flac files were received at 48khz sample rate. They should have been 96 khz and 192 khz. Does the WD TV resample these at lower rates? I’m wondering if a high definition player on my computer would work properly using Playto mode, i.e. the WD TV Live would pass them directly through to my DAC at the correct sampling rates.
dg2727>>> Media Server allows (no VOBs show up at all). This prevents me from accessing the majority of my library.
Likely the same situatIon as Media server/Network shares; gotta use network shares.
The place where I get stuck is when I select the content source on the WD TV Live: If I select “Network Shares” I get a “Windows Shares” window on my TV and the spinning orange arrow just keeps spinning and spinning and spinning. The red box with the “X” stays red.
I don’t recognize this symptom; so ask others or WD support
ruckp01:
Glad I helped with some issues, although I can’t answer your question about the more exotic audio files. I am a hi-fi fan, too, but when it comes to this stuff, I stick with the standard audio files made by the iTunes program and MP3s, since all my music for the media player drive is a dup of my iTunes Media folder. If I REALLY want best audio or video fidelity, I put on the CD or the blu-ray. Files for my media player are there more for convenience than highest quality, so “really good” quality is fine for me. I make mp3 files from my CDs the same as my download service eMusic does, at : 192kbps, VBR at the best settings in iTunes for that rate, and I cannot hear the difference from the CD in most cases. It’s “good enuff” for an iPod and media player.
I’m having the same issue with the Windows sharing…
My network is set up proper, i have setup WMP as a media server, i can play things from it, but WMP is so slugish when you are adding things and it’s quite annoying to use. I’d rather be able to access my media from the windows shared folders.
As stated by the user two post up, the windows sharing try’s to access the net work and basicly sits and spins. Once in a while i will see if “Flivker” the name of the Host computer and then goes back to sit’n’spin mode tell it freezes the device and i have to cold boot it. (i.e. unplug the power cord, and replug it)
Unfortunitly i ungraded the firmware right off the bat (new FW.V 1.12.14) which could of been the problem, if i had done ferther research i would of noticed this issue floating around on the forums.
So whats the deal? i noticed this has been an on going issue with the WD Media player (i have the streaming version) for as far back as i can see in these forms. (Even before FW 1.06.15)
Is this something they can’t seem to fix? I’ve also try’d rolling back my FW to 1.07.15, still not working. i will try and even older verson. but my guess i will have the same issue.
I just got this yester day to replace my old galaxy metal gear box (company is long gone out of business and no longer supports updates for file formats and codec updates) so i did a litle research in media players came accross the WD media player streeming and thought ahhh this is perfect! just wat i wanted no more unpluging my deving and taking it to my room to add contect, and hoped i remeber to incode it with the right codex! (big hassle after i foolishy upgraded some converters)
So here i sit, looking for a solution to the windows share issue and there don’t seem to be any. =/
Any suggestions? Maybe roll back to a spacific FW version that “Did”, work? (loosy at least)
Thanks for the services here. Look forward to having a fully operational decive soon.
-Doodidely
Mike:
Thanks for your reply.
I already have an email support ticket in with WD. I’ll post agian if I get any further details or a resolution.
I am certainly not alone in terms of having problems accessing Network Shares as evidenced by the thousands of posts I found after doing a simple Google search.
This is the primary use I have for any unit like this. If all I can play are the files allowed by the media server, I will return this unit for a refund: It would wind up being a $100 waste of time.
dg
To all who have commented here so far: I’ve done what I can to assist, I wish I could have done more and wish other forum members would chip in, too.
Anyway, if you cannot resolve your issues, make a phone call to WD support. I sure did when I originally had problems similar to yours. They helped me get my unit going.
Mike:
I am truly grateful for all your help–thanks.
I’m going to wait to see what the response to my email support ticket is before picking up the phone.
dg
dg2727:
I forgot to tell you where to find the auto login which you said you could not find:
Go into the WD Settings menu
Go into Network settings
Turn ON “auto login to network shares”
You also need to set Win 7 to NOT require a password for sharing; this is done in “advanced sharing settings” and you get here from Win Control Panel/Network and Sharing Center
I believe the interface has either been changed or differs on the “Live Plus” (the one I think you have). On the WD TV Live, there is no “auto login to network shares” setting. I just checked.
And I’ve had the PW requirement off in Win7 all along, since I use no passwords at all.
Thanks anyway…
dg
dg2727 wrote:
I believe the interface has either been changed or differs on the “Live Plus” (the one I think you have). On the WD TV Live, there is no “auto login to network shares” setting. I just checked.
And I’ve had the PW requirement off in Win7 all along, since I use no passwords at all.
Thanks anyway…
dg
It’s there on my Live and always has been, under network settings it’s the 6th option down.
The sixth option on my interface is Proxy (I don’t use a proxy, so I skipped that).
On the next one I cleared the saved login info (I do not use any login for any accounts on any of my machines).
When I went back to Network Shares it finally recognized my machines, but has a username (“anonymous”) and a populated password field.
I can’t seem to get rid of that.
I don’t use usernames and.or passwords.
It seems like you’ve helped me get closer (thanks), but I’m not quite there yet.
dg
dg2727 wrote:
The sixth option on my interface is Proxy (I don’t use a proxy, so I skipped that).
On the next one I cleared the saved login info (I do not use any login for any accounts on any of my machines).
When I went back to Network Shares it finally recognized my machines, but has a username (“anonymous”) and a populated password field.
I can’t seem to get rid of that.
I don’t use usernames and.or passwords.
It seems like you’ve helped me get closer (thanks), but I’m not quite there yet.
dg
You have the Live SMP. :) This thread is not about your device.
But I’ll tell you this: If you’re not using UIDs and PWs, then defualt UID and PW (Anonymous and blank) are correct.
