Where is the laptop going to be when you do this?

Depends on where and how you want to connect. It also depends on what O/S you have on both machines.

You may want to provide a little more info :)

in the mean time, I use http://www.realvnc.com/

I want to be able to work my desktop remotely from my wireless home network or the internet from my laptop.

Use Remote Desktop Connnection.  It's built into XP.

I understand that but how do you set all of it up...I did the remote connections at both my desk and laptop but don't understand how to set up rest...
thank you for your helps...
bill

Right Click My Computer, Go to Properties, and go to the Remote Tab.  Uncheck the box that says "Allow Remote Invitations...." but check the box that says "Allow Remote User to Connect"... and add only the users you want to be able to connect.

Now, go to All Programs/Accessories/Communications and look for the Remote Desktop Connection Program.  Hit the Options button to expand all the details.  Go over to the far right and hit the Experience tab and select LAN /10mbps or higher.  Go over to the Computer Tab and fill in the necessary information there.

That's all you need for a connection inside a Local Area Connection (behind a router).  From the outside world, things get a bit more difficult.  Which situation is yours?