I have a small home network using windows xp connected with ethernet crossover cable. The windows file sharing works fine. Recently I installed linux 7.1 to one of these computers. I want to make this linux pc as a webserver using apache and php. I installed lunux 7.1 server without any problem and configured ip using ifconfig. The problem now is I do not see linux pc in windows xp's my network places or anywhere else. I can ping successfully from either side. I do not know how can I do the followings:

1. Test xp and linux connection
2. Share files
3. Access apache webserver from xp pc

Please note that the only thing I can see them connected is ping. Please advise me.

To share files, you'll need to install and configure the "SAMBA" package. That varies from distribution to distribution. If apache is installed and running, open a browser and put the IP of the linux box in. Should be just that simple.