Having problem in sharing files between xp and vista..

I want to share files over a wired lan. I have a lan wire whose both the ends are directly plugged into my laptop and pc not via a router.
I am successful in networking the map but neither my pc(xp) can detect laptop(vista home premium) nor my laptop(vista) can detect pc(xp).
I would like to have a step wise tutorial on this if anyone has it would be really appreciated
I think i should do the stuff from starting thats why asking for steps

Silly question really but you do have the right cable connecting the two machines, cross over versus straight through.?

Have you allowed the machines access through your firewalls, which are you using by the way.?

Have you checked through the Tutorials to see if there is anything there to help, I haven't looked lately so don't know if there is or not, you may find what you're looking for there.

Have you downloaded and installed the LLTD (Link Layer Topology Discovery Responder) on the XP machines? Without that, the Vista machines will not see the XP machines in the View full map link of Network & Sharing Center:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...1D-EE46-481E-BA11-37F485FA34EA&displaylang=en
Same workgroup for all pcs? Actually sharing something, rather than just file sharing turned on? Same users and passwords entered on all pcs? Network discovery on?
In setting up my home network, I found I had to turn off the firewalls temporarily before trying to see the Vista machine in the XP My Network Places, then turn the firewall back on once it succeeded. See this page:
Vista - Networking Problems - Try This ~ The Blade by Ron Schenone, MVP
The following page has a quite good treatment of File and Printer Sharing in Vista, complete with screenshots:
File and Printer Sharing in Windows Vista
File and Printer Sharing in Windows Vista
Another good article:
How to share files or a folder in Vista
How to share files from a folder on Windows Vista

I am having a cross over cable i used to connect it two computers before and also i have installed LLTD. I will try ur links and tell.