Windows 7: Windows 7 and XP Cabled and Wireless Network Problems

Can someone give me detailed setup instructions on how to setup a Home Network with four Windows 7 Pro and One Windows XP Computers. I setup the Network and everything was working except the XP Computer and after a few days the Windows 7 computers stopped sharing. Need Help??

Can describe what you've already done for setup?

I have been trying to connect 2 computers (XP and 7) via a 'twisted cable' and the following may be of interest as, initially the 7 computer could not see XP although the XP one could always see the 7 one. I assigned unique IP addresses to each, default gateway, subnet mask, etc, and clicking the Windows 7 network icon showed nothing, as usual. I then remembered an old trick from the Windows 2000 days and the following works:
Select 'Map Network Drive' and enter something like '\\XPCOMPUTER\SharedFolder' and click finish (Do not use Browse as it will not find anything). The shared folder shows up immediately, although nothing appears when clicking the Network icon. This network can then be assigned as 'Home Network'. Why is this happening?

Why did you hijack this thread. Your issue is completely different. You should have started your own thread.

The problem I have now is two Win 7 computer decided to not be seen even thou they worked right out of the gate. The message is error code 0x80070035 The Network path was not found. Any help???

First don't use homegroup if you want to be able to see all computers as Win XP doesn't support Homegroup. If you want that kind of setup you will have to create a workgroup. Here's a link on how to create that. It will be similar on Win XP. Workgroup Name - View and Change
Once you establish this and you still have sharing issues post back and go from there.

The name I'm using is already WorkGroup.

Ok, which firewall are you using. You might need to reconfigure a setting in the firewall to allow the sharing.
Also in the advanced properties of your LAN connection make sure Netbios over TCP/IP is enabled.

[QUOTE]Also in the advanced properties of your LAN connection make sure Netbios over TCP/IP is enabled.[QUOTE]

Already tried this with no effect.
I'm using Norton 360 V5. I played with the settings and can't seem to get it work any suggestions on this.

What about your settings in Advanced sharing settings in the Network and Sharing Center?
I have norton as well. Is Automatic File/Printer sharing control set to "On"?