Win XP Home--can't access shared directories

[JamesM3M5]

I'm having a problem with my Win XP mini-network. I have the PC and laptop connected via Linksys router. I can see the actual directories that are shared on the two different systems. But when I click to open those shared directories, the system hangs for 30seconds or so and then tells me that the files are not accessible. Both systems are running their own Win XP Home operating systems (both store-bought).

I do not have passwords set up to access the shared files, but even if I did, the password prompt doesn't show up.

What am I doing wrong?

Thanks in advance!
JamesM

 

[JackMDS]

Log to this page it has a lot of links to instructions in Network Setting and Sharing.

Link: Basic Networking