enter network credentials

Question

I have a home computer ASUS tower running Windows 8.1 purchased 2013 and a Seagate-411329 external hard drive for extra storage. The computer recognizes the Seagate but each time I try and access the seagate, I am asked to "enter network credentials" I have no idea what the password is and even how the seagate became password protected? I've followed all of the advice on the Microsoft forums and dozens of Youtube videos. Nothing seems to work. I've tried to "Turn off password protected sharing" but the changes DO NOT hold. What's the problem? Even though I check "turn off password protected sharing" the next time I go to "all networks" the box is still showing as being turned on. I've tried changing the password for the credentials, but the password will not change. It is an 8 digit password and I've tried every combination of passwords that I can think of. I need help. PS, I am the only person in the house using a single computer, hooked up to a wireless router.

Answer 1

Glad to hear it.

I haven't heard of an external hard drive using an ethernet cable before, as normally they attach to the router by USB only.  Is it possible it's a power cable instead?

There is more information here that may apply so you know your full range of options:  How to Connect External Hard Disk to Home Network over WiFi without PC | Technical Tips.

Perhaps easiest is to set up a homegroup and then from your PC right click the External to share it with Homegroup:  How to set up and manage Windows 10 HomeGroup on a local network | Windows Central

I hope this helps.

Answer 2

WOW, Yes, the Seagate has (2) cords and I was using the "internet" cord which was plugged into the router, I disconnected the internet plug and plugged the Seagate into the back of my computer using a USB plug. After disconnecting the 'internet' cord the Seagate is up and running . . .  thanks so much. I can't believe I spent two days trying to figure out this problem, when it was as simple as changing a bloody cord. A big thanks !

Answer 3

If it's an external hard drive it should have a USB plug, for which there should be multiple ports on the front and back of an Asus tower.  I've never heard of only having one.   Look behind a sliding door on the front or all over the back.  You can google Asus + Model # + Specs to see how many it includes.

Otherwise to plug the drive into a router requires network storage which is password protected or someone could hack into your router and steal your files without the PC and it's Users even knowing.

Answer 4

The seagate is plugged into the router, but I want to use it for internal storage, not network storage. I tried to move the connector from the router to my computer, but the ASUS tower only has one port of that type of plug. What I really need is to be able to turn OFF the 'enter network credentials' pop-up box. Nothing I've tried works and believe me, I've been working on this problem all damn day. I also would love to know why "turn off password protected sharing" won't stick. The computer will not retain this change.

Answer 5

It sounds like Windows thinks the Seagate external is plugged into the router and therefore network storage.  Is it? 

If not then try turning off File Sharing in Control panel>Network and Sharing Center. 

Did this behavior just begin?  If so you can try to System Restore to before the problem began. 

Are there files on the external?  You can try to rescue them on another PC or with a boot disk following these same steps to Rescue Files when Windows Won't Start.  Then right click Start button to open an Admin Command Prompt, run Diskpart Clean Command making triple sure to check the correct drive is being cleaned.  This will remove any firmware from the external which can cause issues until the drive is wiped.

Create and format a hard disk partitionin Disk Mgmt and pay close attention that no settings are ever ascribed to the drive again.