Do you have Symantec Anti-virus or Norton internet security installed on your system?

Are the two in the same Workgroup?  Did you actually share the folder?

 

Can you ping the other name ny name?

 

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/maintain/troubleshoot.mspx
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/setup/default.mspx
http://www.pcworld.com/video/id,368-page,1-bid,0/video.html
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/howto/
http://www.theeldergeek.com/quick_guide_to_simple_file_sharing.htm

On any computer running Windows XP with SP1, disable the Windows XP firewall. It will not allow File and Printer Sharing. On computers running Windows XP with SP2, make sure that the Windows XP firewall has File and Printer Sharing checked off on the Exceptions tab. If you are running any third party firewalls, like those provided by such programs as Zone Alarm, Norton Internet Security, or McAfee Security Suite, make sure they are configured to allow local network traffic

Yes, same workgroup and the folders are being shared.  Not sure how to ping though.  Both comps are running sp2 so the sp1 solutions won't work.  There arent any 3rd party firewalls installed unless symantec automatically enables one (which i couldnt find in any of its configuration options).  The windows firewall has file and printer sharing listed and checked under exceptions.  This all leads me to believe that there must be some sort or permissions setting that isnt correct on my laptop, since the laptop can access the pc's files but not the other way around.

also, i am unable to do simple file sharing.  that option just doesnt show up under the folder properties tab in the tools menu.  all online tutorials show it there, but it doesnt appear on mine. no idea why

The Symantec product...is it Norton Security Suite?

No, it is just called Symantec AntiVirus; got it through my college's IT dept

Find the IP address of each machine by running the ipconfig tool

 

Start>Run>type cmd and hit enter

type ipconfig /all and hit enter

 

since you are on a Linksys router the address wil be 192.168.1.x

 

Get that address for both machines

 

Now again from the C:\

 

type "ping 192.168.1.x"

 

 where x is the Ip Address of the other machine.  Any failure means you have a firewall blocking access.  You do not want simple File sharing Running.

ok, i will check that when i get home from work.  you sure the firewall problem is on the desktops side?  it seems counterintuitive that the desktops files can be accessed but the laptops cant due to a firewall on the desktop.  i'm not overly knowledgeable about firewalls so bear with me here haha

It means the Avast product you have installed on the desktop has a built in firewall and is blocking the connection.  Go thru the configuration carefully.

 

This would be my best guess as of right now.

ok, my laptop was able to ping my pc, but when my pc tried to ping my laptop it got a connection timeout all 4 attempts.  does this mean the firewall is on my pc side or my laptop side?  the only thing i can think of is the symantec antivirus causing a problem, but as far as i know it doesn't include a firewall

Sorry, I read it backwards. The problem IS the laptop.  That Norton product has to have a firewall installed with the AV product.

Can you now ping the laptop from the desktop?