Cannot setup Home Network

I just bought a new laptop with Windows 7. I want to move some of my old files from my old laptop with Windows XP to the new laptop with Windows 7, then do a clean install on the old laptop.

Even after reading the Windows Help Guides, i don't have the slightest clue where to start. A wireless network seemed too contemplated, so right now I have both computers plugged into a router with ethernet cables.

I changed the Windows 7 to a workgroup rather than a homegroup. Enabled file sharing on both computers. I did "Setup Network Connection Wizard" on the Windows XP and as far as I can tell, told it to connect to WORKGROUP. Restarted the computer.

I still do not see the XP laptop on the 7 laptop and I still don't see the 7 laptop on the Windows XP. What the heck is the problem here? Can someone please lay it out for me clearly, I'm assuming it shouldn't be this difficult.

**UPDATE**

Ok, Apparently I had to reset the router first (turn power off a minute, then turn back on). The Windows 7 machine is now seeing the XP machine in the Network mapping system, but I still am unable to access the XP machine for some reason. It says "Windows Cannot Access XXXXX"

Now what?

Figured out a way

For those of you experiencing similar issues....I somewhat fixed it.

Once I rebooted the router, the only way I could get to the files on each computer was to enter the ip address in the address bar. \\192.xxx.x.xxx

This was the only way I could access my shared files.

To get your IP address, open up the Command Prompt (CMD in Run) and type "IPCONFIG". This will give you the IP ADDRESS for each computer. This is the quickest work around to this problem for those having difficulties.

Make sure the computers can see each other's IP first by pinging the IP. Type "Ping 192.xxx.x.xxx" in the command prompt. if you get a response, the IPs can communicate with each other. if they can communicate each other, the solution I typed above should work.

NEVERMIND, I can share as well with both computers.

Just be sure you right click on the file you want to share in Windows 7 and change all the Permissions to EVERYONE.