Not sure exactly what might be going on here. Sounds like there may be something different in either how you shared your folders, or who you shared them with, as compared to what you did with your wife's folders. Possibly re-examined the steps you used when you setup sharing with your wife's folders and use that method for yours.
What operating system is on this laptop, dosen't sound like Windows 7. What printer, manufacturer, model name and number, how is it connected and to what.
Please clarify your network for us. Your original post was titled XP/7 networking. Is there an XP machine involved here anywhere, it seems obvious that you have a Desktop running Win7, but I'm not clear on the Laptop or Laptops do you have one running windows 7 and one running XP or just one running XP?
Try the following method to add the printer to the problem machine by using this work around
On the Laptop Delete the network printer that you are having trouble with
Now Select add printer
Select add local printer
Choose Create a new port and local port from drop down arrow Click Next
In the enter a port name do one of the following
1.
\\MachineNameHostingPrinter\Printer'sShareName or
2.
\\ipaddressOfMachineHostingPrinter\Printer'sShareName
In the install printer driver dialog box do one of the following
1. In the left panel select your printer manufacturer and in the right panel select your printer model (to use OS Native Drivers) or
2. Select the have disk button and direct the install process to the folder where you have download and extracted the drivers for your printer for the specific OS you are using.[/QUOTE
To clarify how I have everything setup:
My PC running 7 is the main computer that my router (Linksys WRT54GS) is wired to. My printer (HP 1315 All-In-One) is also wired to the same PC.
The only device that connects wirelessly (not counting an Xbox 360) is a Dell laptop running XP Media Edition.
I thought I performed the same process with both my wife's folders and mine. Since right-clicking on each user folder would not allow me the option of sharing, I opened each one and right-clicked each folder (i.e. Music, Pics, Video, etc.) I want to share.
I will try deleting the printer and giving it another shot with your method. I'll report back. Thanks.