IP Addresses & Win 7 Homegroup

I just replaced an AT&T 2Wire881 wireless modem and router with a Netgear DG834Gv4. Prior to this replacement I was able to establish a Homegroup between my desktop running Windows 7 Home Premium and my laptop eMachines running Windows 7 Home Premium.
My desktop network adapter is an onboard Realtek RTL8168C(P)/8111 PCI-E Gigabit Ethernet NIC (NDIS 6.20).
My laptop eMachines has an Atheros AR5B95 Wireless Network Adapter, an Atheros AR8132 PCI-E Fast Ethernet Controller and lists a Microsoft Virtual WiFi Miniport Adapter.
Both machines have the same IP address??? Shouldn't these be different, i.e.,
sequential?
My biggest problem is that I am now unable to setup a Homegroup. My laptop can access the desktop, however the desktop can not access the laptop. Also can not map the network?
I have browsed most posts and tried all the radio buttons to allow access, but no luck.
Any help is appreciated.

delilah95 said:

Under device manager in both computers what comes up under Network adapters?

Desktop Network Adapter is: Realtek RTL8168C(P)/8111 PCI-E Gigabit Ethernet NIC (NDIS 6.20).

Laptop Adapters are: Atheros AR5B95 Wireless Network Adapter
An Atheros AR8132 PCI-E Fast Ethernet Controller
Also lists a Microsoft Virtual WiFi Miniport Adapter

PooMan UK said:

You could always try using a static IP address on both machines.

Firstly Open "control panel" click on "network and sharing center"

Click on "local area connection (1)" then follow the image clicking through to (5)
Once at 5 enter your IP address .... this will depend on what address your network is running on (I'm hoping that you know this already) I've given an example. If you router is set to eg 192.168.0.1 then you will need to enter this into the "default gateway" and "preferred DNS (6)" (I've marked the last number with an "X" as this could differ) When you enter your IP address just change the last number to anything between say 10 - 20 eg. 192.168.0.10

Thanks Poo Man UK, I got the IP address changed to a static IP address on the laptop and allowed the desktop to aquire an IP address automatically. The 192.168.0.1 you referenced is correct.
For some reason I am still unable to access files on my laptop in the homegroup mode. There must be a setting on the laptop that has changed or that is blocking access from an outside computer. Checked out every permission I know of but no luck. I may disable the Kaspersky firewall on both machines and try that.
I can access files from the laptop that reside on my desktop via the homegroup without a problem, just can't go the other direction. Also my network configuration does not show the laptop and when I click on properties I get a popup that says unable to access laptop PC.
Win troubleshooting says everything is configured properly, but can't find a problem or resolution.
Anyhow not a big issue.....that's why God made jump drives. Thanks again for an expert tutorial in establishing the static IP address.

Cheers,

Jetrep