Hi there, I'm hoping someone can help. I've had a lot of trouble with this problem.

I've set up my home network with a "Desktop" and a "Laptop" computer. They are sharing an internet connection through an ADSL Router (DSL-502T). Both share the internet and there's no problems. They have the following IP's

"Router" IP - 10.1.1.1
"Desktop" IP - 10.1.1.2
"Laptop" IP - 10.1.1.5

Both MACHINES using Windows XP SP2, although the Desktop will be getting upgraded in about 4 weeks when I get my Vista through (had ordering issues!)

I can ping the Laptop from the Desktop and vice-versa and they see each other. Both machines are in the same workgroup and appear in Network places. File sharing is enabled in both machines, and I have two directories (both are called "Personal" and "Downloads") - all shared.

So, in my mind, it should be networked. I should be able to access the files on my Laptop through My Network Places on my Desktop (and of course, vice-versa) but I can't.

I've gone through heaps of guides, EVEN TRIED Network Magic for a limited time (after 7 days, you have to pay), and I even took some advice that murdered my system and I had to re-install the whole system, but I again find myself back at the same place.

Does anybody have a clue about what I'm doing wrong for file and print sharing, and how to fix it? I don't mind if there's software like Network Magic, but I just spent my yearly budget on Vista and can't afford it!

Which version of Windows XP? Home Edition or Professional? The Home Edition only supports "simple" file sharing while Professional supports both "simple" and "ADVANCED" file sharing.

If you want to do some reading, here are two microsoft documents on the subject.

File and Printer Sharing with Microsoft Windows:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=87c0a6db-aef8-4bef-925e-7ac9be791028&displaylang=en

Troubleshooting File and Printer Sharing in Microsoft Windows XP:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=fd7fd48d-6b4a-448e-a632-076f98a351a2&displaylang=en

Hate to cut and run, but I need to get some sleep.