Windows 7: Win 7 Networking issues

This has been an odd experience. I can only network to my Windows 7 desktop for only the Public area, from my Windows 7 laptop. As many times as I try to get to My Documents or the entire c drive, I can not open them. I manually shared my "music" and "my pictures" but can not do the entire drive or documents. Doing all the same to share those.
Homegroup does not work at all even after using the homegroup key but under normal Workgroup networking, works between all our home computers. All the WinXP computers are available in total (c drive etc) from either Win 7 computer. It is only the newest, Windows 7 desktop that either has an unusual setting I don't see or the default is to only allow only "public." All the obvious, from not using a pw, to checking all files in the networking area, to manually trying to share/advanced share, etc. Appreciate any ideas or input.

Sharing the root drive is counter indicated by the operations manual.
Even if you pulled it off you'd like be swarming with viruses in a matter of hours.

I think I understand what you are trying to do. You must mean that you are trying to get to "Documents" - not "My Documents" - because you are referring to your Win 7 PC - right? "My Documents" is the Win XP standard folder.

Can't you just move or copy all the files in Documents to Public > Documents? It took me a while to understand that the Win 7 Public & subfolders are the same as "Shared Documents" in Win XP.

Please note that if you are trying to enable sharing for certain folders in Win 7, you must not only adjust the settings in the "sharing" tab when you open "properties" - but also check the settings in the "Security" tab. Many overlook this detail.

I agree with Maguscreed - You don't want to share the entire C drive!