Set up Home Network

I have had a home network set up for years. I use a wireless gateway or (router?) hooked up to my cable router. I then use the wireless for newer computers with built in Wi-Fi. I also have 2 CAT5 wired desktop computers as part of my network. All were running Win XP. I had to replace my Win XP netbook and it is running Win 7. I am so confused on how to get the wired XP computers in my network. I read that Win 7 Homegroup only works with Win 7 computers.

With Win XP I could add new network and search entire network, pickout Microsoft windows, MSHOME workgroup and see all the other wired computers. Have not been successful with doing this with Win 7. Read many articles but somehow they don't describe my situation completely (wired and wireless connections).

can anyone help me understand this? I prefer not to map a drive, just use network neighborhood.
I am fairly computer literate, but this has stumped me more because of mixed information in searching info.


Tech Support Guy System Info Utility version 1.0.0.2
OS Version: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional, Service Pack 1, 32 bit
Processor: AMD C-60 APU with Radeon(tm) HD Graphics, x64 Family 20 Model 2 Stepping 0
Processor Count: 2
RAM: 1770 Mb
Graphics Card: AMD Radeon HD 6290 Graphics, 256 Mb
Hard Drives: C: Total - 291830 MB, Free - 122365 MB;
Motherboard: Acer, JE10-BZ
Antivirus: McAfee Anti-Virus and Anti-Spyware, Updated and Enabled