desktop doesn't recognize laptops

I have three computers on a home network. Two laptops,
and one desktop. All have microsoft xp, the laptops are
using pc cards, and the desktop is not wireless. I am
using all linksys hardware. A modem and router and a
wireless point for the laptops to connect to the system.
The two laptops recognize each other, but neither laptop
can see the desktop and the desktop cannot see the
laptops. In the past up until a few weeks ago I could see
the laptops, but I have since changed some settings and
are not sure what I did. I would use system restore
except I don't want to revert other programs and files
back to a previous setting. At the time my problem
started I was using windows 98 on one computer, but I
bought a new laptop to replace the really old gateway
laptop. I am pretty sure I did change some settings but I
just can't figure it out. When I try to look at my entire
network on the desktop I get only a microsoft windows
network icon and nothing much else. Any help would be
appreciated. How would I completely start over on this
dekstop and do a new install of the network software.
I've not had any problems connecting to the internet
during all these problems.

Thanks for any help.

Jim

Here are the first things that I would look at (because
I've had similar problems).

1. Check the firewall settings on both the router and your
desktop. Try disabling them temporarily to see if this is
the problem.
2. Make sure that the firmware on your router is up to date.

>-----Original Message-----
>I have three computers on a home network. Two laptops,
>and one desktop. All have microsoft xp, the laptops are
>using pc cards, and the desktop is not wireless. I am
>using all linksys hardware. A modem and router and a
>wireless point for the laptops to connect to the system.
>The two laptops recognize each other, but neither laptop
>can see the desktop and the desktop cannot see the
>laptops. In the past up until a few weeks ago I could see
>the laptops, but I have since changed some settings and
>are not sure what I did. I would use system restore
>except I don't want to revert other programs and files
>back to a previous setting. At the time my problem
>started I was using windows 98 on one computer, but I
>bought a new laptop to replace the really old gateway
>laptop. I am pretty sure I did change some settings but I
>just can't figure it out. When I try to look at my entire
>network on the desktop I get only a microsoft windows
>network icon and nothing much else. Any help would be
>appreciated. How would I completely start over on this
>dekstop and do a new install of the network software.
>I've not had any problems connecting to the internet
>during all these problems.
>
>Thanks for any help.
>
>Jim
>
>.
>