Win 7 Homegroup - "stuck"

I had one of my computers re-built from ground up... Had to restart Homegroup by creating a password. So far so good... I thought. Now nobody can see anybody on the Homegroup(s) And I cannot "Leave the HomeGroup " on any of the machines (4 total). How do I leave the Homegroup on all the machines so I can re-start it? When I try to Leave the homegroup I get the error message "Windows couldn't remove your computer from the homegroup". IBM Sys 360/370 CMS, or even ROSCOE wasn't this arcane.

 

I ran into a similar problem and probably took the long way around it.
1) turn off all computers
2) boot one, try to leave, eventually you will find one that will leave
3) create a new Homegroup with a new name and password then reboot that computer
4) start the others one at a time to leave the old Homegroup and join the new Homegroup

 

Thanks for the Idea, DOA! One of the 4 is used by my Daughter for College, and one by my wife for business, so it will be after supper before I can turn them all off. I will let you know my results. I appreciate your help.

 

DOA, I got 3 of the 4 to work with your info. My machine however will still not leave the HomeGroup. If you have any other ideas to get out of the HomeGroup I would like to hear them. However, at least 3 are working now, so Thank you for that!

 

OK, you have found your problem child.
This can get down and geeky as this is often caused by a service being turned off.
Rather than post a VERY long post I will make one suggestion and reference a thread.
1) check your event logs
Computer(rightclick) > Manage > Event Viewer > Windows Logs > System
probably a whole bunch of errors containing two services. Either Peer Networking Grouping or Peer Name Resolution Protocol
If so, continue with:
2) go to services
Click start, type in "Services" without the quotes, click on Component Services, click Services (Local) and disable Peer Networking Grouping and Peer Name Resolution Protocol. Clear the event log so you have a fresh start.
3) reboot
4) go to C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Roaming\PeerNetworking and delete all of the files in this folder
5) restart
6) go to Services, start Peer Networking Grouping and Peer Name Resolution Protocol
7) restart
8) check your error log and services to be sure Peer Networking Grouping and Peer Name Resolution Protocol are running error free

If that does not do it, check this thread
http://www.sevenforums.com/network-sharing/23571-cant-leave-homegroup.html

 

DOA, starting now. Your ideas give me hope since I have had to go in and restart those services regularly over the last 2+ years. They do not keep the "Auto Start" information. Hopefully this will clear that up also.

 

Boy have I ever found my problem child. I tried everything in your post, and the link in your post... Still won't let me leave. I do have the Peer Group services running in auto now.

I am going to have to wipe the drive, re-install Windows (and all my other programs), and then see if I can just join the same group as the others.

Thanks for all your help.