Have you configure any firewalls running on the laptop to allow local network access?

 

Steve

I checked the box so I can turn on file sharing. Is that the same thing?

Are you running the Windows firewall on the laptop?  If so, open the Windows firewall, click on the Exceptions tab and make sure there is check mark next to File and Printer Sharing.

 

Also make sure that you have designated the folders which contain the files you want to access are designated as shared resources.

 

Steve

A fiewall is a software program that protects your computer from intruders coming in over the network.   Windows has its own firewall, but most computers shipped by Dell include some kind of security suite which contains a firewall (Norton Internet Security or McAfee Security Center).  Do you have either of these running on your computer.

 

Steve

No, when I got my laptop I reinstalled XP so I could get rid of the advertisements they ship on them. In the process, I got rid of the mcaffee stuff too.