I can access my files on Mybooklive with one laptop but not on the other one

If you can access your files on your My Book Live drive with one laptop but not on the other, it suggests that the issue is most likely related to the configuration or settings on the laptop that’s having trouble. Here’s a breakdown of potential causes and how to resolve them, structured into a explanation.

Understanding the Problem

The My Book Live (MBL) is a network-attached storage (NAS) device from Western Digital, designed to be accessible over a local network. If one laptop accesses it successfully, then the device is working correctly, and the problem lies with the second laptop’s connection, configuration, or permissions.

1. Check Network Connection

First, ensure the second laptop is on the same local network (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) as the My Book Live. If the laptop is connected to a different network or a guest network, it may not be able to reach the NAS. Try pinging the MBL’s IP address or hostname from the second laptop:

Press Windows + R, type cmd, and hit Enter.

In the Command Prompt, type:

ping [MBL-IP-address] or ping mybooklive

If there’s no response, your laptop can’t see the device, likely due to network isolation or incorrect network.

2. Check File Sharing Settings

Your second laptop may not have file sharing enabled or configured properly:

Go to Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center > Advanced sharing settings.

Enable Network discovery and File and printer sharing.

If your MBL requires password-protected sharing, make sure the right credentials are saved or entered when prompted.

3. Verify Access via File Explorer

Try accessing the device using Windows File Explorer:

Press Windows + R, then type \\mybooklive or \\[MBL-IP-address]

Hit Enter.

If this works on the first laptop but not the second, the issue could be with SMB protocol compatibility. MBL typically uses SMB1, which is disabled by default in newer versions of Windows due to security risks.

4. Enable SMB 1.0 (With Caution)

If the MBL only supports SMB1 and you're on Windows 10 or 11, you may need to re-enable it:

Go to Control Panel > Programs > Turn Windows features on or off

Scroll down and check SMB 1.0/CIFS File Sharing Support

Click OK and restart your computer.

Note: SMB1 is outdated and vulnerable to security threats. Enable it only if necessary and consider isolating your MBL from the internet.

5. Firewall or Antivirus Blocking

Firewall or antivirus software on the second laptop might be blocking the network connection. Try temporarily disabling them to see if access is restored. If it is, you’ll need to create an exception for the MBL in your firewall settings.

6. Credential Manager Conflict

If incorrect login credentials were previously entered, Windows might be using them automatically. Try clearing saved credentials:

Go to Control Panel > Credential Manager > Windows Credentials

Find any entries for your MBL and remove them.

Try reconnecting — Windows should prompt you to enter the correct credentials.

7. Map Network Drive

Once access is restored, consider mapping the MBL as a network drive:

In File Explorer, click This PC > Map network drive

Choose a letter and enter the folder path like \\mybooklive\Public

Enable "Reconnect at sign-in"

Conclusion

The issue is almost certainly related to networking, access protocols (like SMB), or login credentials. By methodically checking these areas, you should be able to restore access on the second laptop. If none of the above works, double-check whether there are any device-specific restrictions or firmware updates available for your My Book Live that could affect compatibility.