file sharing win 7 and win xp

Hi, sorry if this is the wrong newsgroup... I didn't see one for 7.

I have 2 computers on the same workgroup/lan
Desktop with XP Pro
Laptop with 7 HP

I have lots of folders shared on windows xp but I can't see them/access them
in win7.

Initial web searches suggested turning off or on simple file sharing in XP
(really I forget which one) but I did that... eventually I could see the
windows xp computer and its shared folders in win7 but if I tried to access
them it would say something like permission denied.
This was a few weeks ago.

Today I thought I would take another stab at it and another website
suggested using the network setup wizard in xp. I did that and rebooted both
computers and now I can't even see the xp computer from w7.

I think I remember something like this in the past with vista hb and xp pro
and I know I was able to work around it then. I just don't know what the
solution was. I've put in my due diligence on the web but I can't find any
solution that actually works (or one that doesn't require pro/ultimate with
gpedit/secpol)

Thanks.

If you can see the sharing in XP,you are close and it could be the
permission issue. To fix it, make sure you have assigned permission in
Security tab after enabling share. If you can't see the share, try these
steps:

1. in the XP, run net share command to make sure you have enable sharing.
2. In the Windows 7, run net view \\xpipaddress. If you get an error post
back.

Or this search result may help.
Windows 7 IssuesHome Networking W/ Windows 7 & Windows XP · IE 8 and Windows
7 cant access the Internet · Mac gets error 50 when accessing Windows7 ...

Make sure that the Software Firewall on each computer allows free local
traffic. If you use 3rd party Firewall On, Vista/XP Native Firewall should
be Off, and the active Firewall has to adjusted to your Network IP numbers
on what is some time called the Trusted Zone (consult your 3rd Party
Firewall instructions.
General example, http://www.ezlan.net/faq#trusted
Windows 7 Work Network,
http://www.onecomputerguy.com/window...s7_sharing.htm
Vista File and Printer Sharing-
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/l.../bb727037.aspx
Windows XP File Sharing -
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;304040
Printer Sharing
XP -http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/expert/honeycutt_july2.mspx
Windows Native Firewall setting for Sharing
XP -http://support.microsoft.com/kb/875357
Windows XP patch for Sharing with Vista (Not need for XP-SP3) -
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/922120
When done hard reboot all network computers and the Router.
Jack (MS, MVP-Networking).

After some toiling I think I am half way there. I didn't have to turn off
win firewall or make any changes.

XP can see w7 and access the shares!
XP can see itself in workgroup/computers but can't access - how the heck?

W7 can see XP but cannot access shares.

I have tried with and without simple file sharing on XP.