Im a linux newbie and have managed to setup my home network, I use windows xp pro on one box and mandrake linux 10.0 on another box.

What am looking to do is transfer all my files from my windows xp box to my linux box. Am able to see my linux box in windows xp but am not able to drag files over. "Access Denied"

You'll need to configure Samba. If you can see your Linux machine, samba is up and running, you need to configure it. I suggest going over to www.samba.org and taking a look through some of the documentation. Your Samba config file is probably /etc/samba/smb.conf -- there should be a section entitles [homes] (the share for your home directories) make sure you have browseable = yes and writeable = yes set in that section.

another question, ive checked that file and checked to see if write permission is on and it off. I tried to edit it but i didnt have enough permissions to save it. How do i log on as root? Cheers in advance!

open a terminal:
type:
su
it will ask you for pass. which i hope you remember
cp /etc/samba/smb.conf /home/whevereveryoucanwriteandread

then go ahead and open the copy. change it around save it and keeping the orig is always smart.

when ready go back into terminal and do the cp command but cp the new one /etc/samba.... cp usage is cp [OPTION]... SOURCE DEST

dont forget you have to open/fwd the ports samba uses on all firewalls/rounters
they are 137 through 139 or something. windows should see it automatic but to see you windows share you need to use sambamount

oh yeah try using chmod in the terminal to change permissons. it better not to though