Basic windows networking help

[DeadByDawn]

Hi net gurus,
I just created a new windows 8 PC called MachineA.
I am trying to get to another PC on my network called MachineB.

I am having a problem with new MachineA reaching MachineB.

Here are the facts:
- MachineA has the windows firewall service disabled
- MachineA has Internet access.
- MachineA is plugged into the same switch as machineB.
- MachineB is reachable from other PCs on my network.
- when I browse my network using the built in windows network browser, MachineB shows up. But when I double click, it either errors or prompts for name and password.
- I have the default workgroup at home with no AD or home domain.
- my username and password is the same on all my home pcs.
- when I get prompted and provide credentials, it doesn't like them. I use the unc notation \\MachineB\ or just clicking on the machines icon.
- when I ping MachineB from MachineA, I get 127.0.0.1 as the IP. (Remote desktop complains too).
- there is nothing in my host file on machine A
- in the process of setting up and prior to applying windows updates, it worked at one point.

Please help.
Thx in advance.

 

[DeadByDawn]

Bump

 

[DeadByDawn]

When u see 127.0.0.1 when pinging the other machine, is that an indication of some kind of loop back?,

 

[scottd34]

sounds like you need to turn off password protected sharing on the other machine.

network and sharing center > change advanced sharing settings > select network type (shows in network and sharing center as home, public or work) > make sure "Turn on sharing so anyone with network access can read and write files in the public folders". Also a little farther down, turn off password protected file sharing

you do want windows firewall turned on, and make sure that you do not have this machine in a dmz or anything like that in your router so only your local network can see this