Networking my macbook with Windows 7

[BBB3000]

I am having a lot of trouble networking my home windows 7 pcs with my brand new macbook air. I would like to say that I am new to the mac world, so please bare with me.

The problem that I am having is that Finder does not seem to automatically detect all the Windows 7 PCs on my network. I have to enter their computer name and map them every time. It forgets them after I reboot my macbook.

Is this the intention? Is there a way to do seamless networking with the macbook and windows 7 PCs? What I am hoping for is that my Macbook is able to find my windows 7 pcs, along with the shared folders that they have, and just work every time. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[PBG4 Dude]

Check out this link. It's a step by step guide to getting the two OSes talking to each other.

 

[BBB3000]

Great link, thanks.

I will have to add the Windows homegroup to the WINS setting in my Mac OS. I did not try that yet.

The one question I have for you is, what happens if the IP address changes on my Windows 7 machines? Do i have to remap them in my Mac? I am hoping that OSX can automatically detect all the computers on my home network, without me having to remap them every time.

 

[PBG4 Dude]

If you're running a DHCP server (i.e. D-Link / Linksys / ??? router), you shouldn't have any problems. The DHCP server hands out IP addresses and regular network discoverability should take care of the rest.

Usually in a home environment, your IP addresses will only change when rebooting a machine. Otherwise, the IP leases default to 24 hours on most routers so you shouldn't have issues with machines suddenly changing IP addresses unless you are manually managing the addresses.

 

[BBB3000]

I tried the solution from the link you gave me. I would say it is only half of what I'm looking for. I was already able to connect to my windows 7 PC from my macbook air using the smb://<computer name>. That always worked.

1) What I need is for the macbook to automatically find the computers in my home network
2) Keep the computers mounted

I hate that I have to type all of my PC names in (i have quite a few). anyone know if this is possible?