Remote desktop from a netbook

[WarmMachineME]

Networking might be my least favorite aspect of computing.

My buddy recently picked up a netbook (extra small portable pc). He primarily wants to use it to access files and use a program or two on his desktop from the netbook, both at home and afield. I've been trying to help him out.

Here's the facts.
Windows XP all around.
Desktop connects to the internet via a hard line through a wireless router. Netopia 3000 series.
Netbook has been successfully set up to wirelessly access the internet via the same router.
Both computers are set to be automatically assigned IPs, DNS, etc.
Ran the home network setup wizard on both, giving them the same workgroup name, different computer names. The computers are not networked, do not "see" each other. I don't know why. I hate networking issues.
Enabled remote desktop access on the desktop through the My Computer properties.
Attempting to use remote desktop by providing the desktop machine's name fails completely. Attempting to do it by providing the IP address assigned by the router gives a Windows login screen, but attempts to sign in (with the correct username / no password) just gives an error.
All attempts to use remote desktop so far have just been in his home. Figured we'd get that working before moving on to doing it from other locations.

Thanks much for looking.

[shadowpr]

Give both computers a password.

I would also suggest static ips.

[glc]

It's a lot easier to use the free logmein.com service.

[WarmMachineME]

I'll give that a shot.

For education's sake, how would remote desktop work if the computer were out and about? There'd be two IPs to deal with when linking back home, right? The IP for the house, and then the IP which the router has assigned to the computer itself.

[shadowpr]

You would have to forward a port in the router to the computer you want to control at home.

For that situation, logmein works easier in my opinion.