Unable To Network / Share Desktop PC to Laptop

So before I had to reformat my PC, I had been able to allow my gf's laptop to access my documents / folders etc which is on my main desktop PC. It took me a bit of time because homegroups simply didn't work and I had to figure out getting the network sharing setup.

Now, even with youtube guides, I can't get her laptop to see the folders / HDD's on main main PC. Every guide I watched or looked at that I followed had a postive outcome but for me, either an option didnt become available or the network wasn't found like it did in the video etc and I'm getting pretty choked.

All I need is for her to access my external HDD which is connected to my main desktop PC. My desk is huge, ridiculously awkward and to get behind it to unplug the external would be a huge pain in the ***. Let alone putting it back would be even moreso troublesome.

My desktop PC is connected to our wifi gateway hardline. Her laptop is connected to our gateway via wifi.

Both of us are running Windows 7. I've had them sharing folders and locations before. I just have come to my limit when every tutorial I've read and video I've watched works out perfectly and I can't get them to see each other.

Any feedback, instructions, thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

- C

 

Bit of clarification please. Is it that she can see your PC on Network but can't access any of the folders you have shared, or can't she even see your PC?

 

Apparently now, after a few days - her laptop can now see the network I created. However, its asking for the username and password. I can't remember actually setting one for her to access my PC. I've been trying to find where I can change / update that information but google searches bring me to homegroup settings which doesn't help since this isn't a home group.

Where would I find the settings to update / change the username and password for the network I created? Window shelp only give me homegroup stuff as well.

 

What did you use to set up the network drives on both machines?

 

I just created a network location on my PC - GS-Main. Created one on her laptop with the same domain and now they can see each other.I followed instructions from a website after I got fed up with homegroups just not working.

I created a new network through the network settings through my control panel IIRC.