For some reason there have been a lot of networking questions lately.  Here are some 
"lessons learned" for rookie networkers:

1.  Establish TCP/IP connectivity between computers first.  Check by pinging.  If 
you can't ping, you won't be doing anything else until you can ping.

2.  Firewalls!!!!  Make sure any installed firewalls are set to allow file and printer 
sharing on the local network.  DO NOTHING ELSE before you read ths instructions for 
your firewall program and fully understand how to make sure they are not preventing 
desired networking.  Don't just Wuss Out and turn it off...set it up correctly!! 
 The Windows Firewall in XP SP2 is automatically turned on, but as soon as you share 
something, it understands what you are trying to do and sets itself accordingly. 
 The Internet Connection Firewall in XP Gold and XP SP1 is not automatically turned 
on; when it is on, it does not automatically set itself to allow networking---you 
have to check the right boxes.

3.  If you have XP Pro, the easiest basic home-scenario networking is attained by 
making sure Simple File Sharing is enabled.  XP Home Ed is always in Simple File 
Sharing Mode.  Only those with more sophisticated networking needs will have to change 
this.

4.  With default settings, both XP Pro (not on a domain) and Home will see and access 
other network shares without you having to lift a finger!  Just make sure that the 
default setting in Control Panel>(Appearance and Themes category)>Folder Options>View 
Tab, Advanced Settings list, first choice, "Automatically search for network folders 
and printers" is selected.  New shares will take a minute or three to show up.  Patience!!

5.  For simple file and printer sharing, there is NO NEED to mess with user account 
names, Guest accounts, NTFS permissions, workgroup names, static IP addresses, installing 
archaic protocols such as IPX/SPX or NetBEUI, PhDs in Rocket Science, Patron Saints, 
or rabbits' feet.  In fact, any of these will make matters more complicated, not 
less complicated.

6.  If you are trying to share subfolders of the My Docs folder and can't, see if 
you told XP to make the files within My Docs private.  Right click on the folder, 
choose Sharing, then in the top section called Local Sharing and Secuity, see if 
"make this folder private" is checked and greyed out.  If so, you have to go back 
to the main My Docs folder, right click and choose Sharing, where the checkbox is 
not greyed out, and uncheck it.

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