1 machine on simple(?) n/work semi invisible

[Guest]

Scenario: Supposedly simple home network comprising of 1 desktop (XP pro) 1
laptop (XP home) and 1 b/band modem/router (speedtouch 530) all plugged into
hub. Both desktop and laptop have access via hub, through modem to internet.

Can ping laptop from desktop no problem but laptop times out when pinging
desktop. Laptop has no entries in My Network Places (cursed thing) even
though a number of folders are set up for sharing (local folders included).
Desktop My Network Places lists it's local shared folders, although all bar
Shared Documents are listed as "The Internet" under Network Location. Desktop
My Network Places does not list any of laptop shared folders.

Have checked IP addresses etc. and all appears (to me at least) as it should
be. Have not received any notifications or warnings about any problems or
misconfigurations. My Network Places on both machines has stopped responding
a number of times during seemingly futile attempts to solve this problem.

Help Me Wamba!

 

[Guest]

OK. Problem solved as far as both machines seeing each other and accessing
shared resources on each. (Zone Alarm Pro not configured correctly)

However, still got the re-ocurring issue of local shares being listed as
internet located. There seem to be plenty of instances of this listed all
over with just as many solutiuons but i'll be buggered if I can get any to
work.