Installed compact linksys router with their support--internet access fine. Then, tried to home network and the Desktop can read Dell's files. Dell can use the Desk's printer, but Dell cannot read Desk's files. Both can ping each other. Desk can ping its own IP. Dell cannot ping its own IP, but it can pink localhost. They are in same workgroup, same masknet, etc. etc. Since I disabled Windows firewalls, they neither one can view workgroup computers thru My network Places, but they both can FIND the computer name when I use Search and find computer name. Yes, I uninstalled Panda antivirus on the desktop since Dell couldn't see over there. Set Panda's and Norton's firewalls to allow their IP addresses. See, it is not your typical networking problem, or is it? I have written many inquiries to forums, and so far, no one has been able to figure it out. I have tried Almost every suggestion I have read here and in Tech Support Forum.

SOLVED IT! I imagine I put 50 hours or more going on the net to get help from forums, and here is what I did. Went to Windows Help and saw this on the Network troubleshooting pages: 1. Click Start, and then click Run. 2. In the Open box, type: \\computer\share\ where computer is the name of the computer where the network resource lives and share is the share name of the shared folder on that computer. 3. Click OK. It opened up into a internet explorer window with all the files I asked for! And because I had recently configured my IE windows to open with the address bar visible and open, I saw its address as \\desk\music, so I erased music and typed in pictures, and voila! They still don't show in My Network Places, but so what, if I have to do it this way? It works! I am relieved! Now, if it continues to work, I won't be bothering you again--I hope. I hope all you can solve yours too--don't give up! :)