HomeGroup and IPv6 Troubleshooting Guide

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Your router and all computers must be IPv6 capable (hardware, firmware, and drivers) to use HomeGroup. Check the System Maker (Motherboard Maker for custom systems) or the actual device makers' sites for updated network drivers. Also, check the router maker's site for updated firmware. Check their support and ask in their forums for any known issues.

IPv6 Information

How to disable certain Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) components in Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows Server 2008 (also includes ENABLE fixit):
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929852/en-us

Test IPv6:
http://test-ipv6.com/

IPv6 Support in Home Routers
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/hardware/gg463251

HomeGroup FAQ

Open the HomeGroup troubleshooter:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Open-the-HomeGroup-troubleshooter

Why can’t I access some of the computers in my homegroup?
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Why-cant-I-access-some-of-the-computers-in-my-homegroup

Why can't I access my homegroup?
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Why-cant-I-access-my-homegroup

Why can't I join a homegroup?
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Why-can-t-I-join-a-homegroup

Why can't I create a homegroup?
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Why-cant-I-create-a-homegroup

HomeGroup Instructions

On a small HomeGroup (or network) it is usually easier to reset up the HomeGroup (or network) than to try to troubleshoot.

Create a HomeGroup:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Create-a-homegroup

HomeGroup from start to finish:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/help/homegroup-from-start-to-finish

HomeGroup: frequently asked questions (also shows how to remove and delete homegroup)
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/HomeGroup-frequently-asked-questions

File sharing essentials:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/File-sharing-essentials

Share files with someone:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Share-files-with-someone

Windows 7 HomeGroup: Frequently Asked Questions:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee449408(WS.10).aspx

Network Instructions

Setting up a home network:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Setting-up-a-home-network

Setting up a wireless network:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Setting-up-a-wireless-network

Home Network, Wireless Network and Computer Networking Made Easy:
http://www.home-network-help.com/

Windows Vista Tip: How To Setup And Connect To A Wireless Network:
http://www.watchingthenet.com/windows-vista-tip-how-to-setup-and-connect-to-a-wireless-network.html

Home networking tutorial:
http://www.tehnomagazin.com/Computer/Home-networking-tutorial.htm

Practically Networked - all you could possibly want to know:
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/

Update Drivers

Control Panel - Network - write down the make and model of Wifi - double-click it - Driver's tab - write down the version - click Update Driver (might not do anything). Then Right-click Wifi Device and UNINSTALL - Reboot - This will refresh the driver stack.

Manually look at manufacturer's sites for drivers - and Device Maker's sites:
http://pcsupport.about.com/od/driverssupport/ht/driverdlmfgr.htm

Installing and updating drivers in Windows 7 (updating drivers manually using the methods below is preferred to ensure the latest drivers from System maker and Device makers are found)
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/43216-installing-updating-drivers-7-a.html

Download - SAVE - Go to where you put it - Right-click - RUN AS ADMIN.

You can download several at once. However, reboot after you install each one.

After looking at the System Maker's you can check Device Maker's for even newer versions.
(The ones from System maker become your fallbacks).

Repeat above for your network card (NIC), and this is a good time to get other updated drivers.

How to Check the IPv6 Status of Your Network Adapter

Windows 7 homegroup is based on IPv6. Check the IPv6 status on your network adapter.

1. Click the Start button, and then click Control Panel.

  1. Move to Control Panel\Network and Internet\Network Connections.

  2. Right-click the network adapter icon, and then click Properties.

  3. Check whether IPv6 is enabled.

http://social.microsoft.com/Forums/getfile/6154/

If IPv6 is enabled and this problem still occurs, try the following method.

1. Start the following services:

Peer Networking Grouping
PNRP Machine Name Publication Service

To start these services, follow these steps:

a.    Click Start, Collapse this image, Expand this image, type Services.msc in the Search programs and files box, and then press ENTER.

b.    Right-click Peer Networking Grouping, and then click Properties.

c.    On the General tab, check whether the service is started. If the service is not started, click Start.

d.    In the Startup type list, select Automatic.

e.    Click OK.

f.     Repeat steps 1b through 1e to start PNRP Machine Name Publication Service.

2. Modify a registry key entry to enable IPv6. To do this, follow these steps:

a.    Click Start, Collapse this image, Expand this image, type regedit in the Search programs and files box, and then press ENTER.

b.    Locate and then click the following registry subkey:

*             HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\TCPIP6\Parameters
*
c.    Double-click the DisabledComponents registry entry, and then type 0 in the Value data box.

Note: If the DisabledComponents registry entry is not present, you must create it. To do this, point to New on the Edit menu, click DWORD Value, type DisabledComponents, and then press ENTER.

d. Exit Registry Editor, and then restart the computer.

 

Source

This article originated from this Forum thread (referred by PKN):

The original content was provided by Rob Brown, MVP:

The author of the section "How to Check the IPv6 Status of Your Network Adaptor" is Zhen Tan: