File and printer sharing using Airport Express, usb HP Deskjet 3620 printer

Question

I have a general question, and other forum users might have a good resolution for it - but if not, here's what i'm dealing with..
I have an Airport Express that I bought a couple of years back, it has all the necessary firmware upgrades, i'm running 2 Windows XP boxes going through a combination of Ethernet on 1 directly to the 2 Wire Home Portal 2701HG-B, and I also have an additional Netgear WGR614 v7. All firmware upgrades on all devices is installed and functioning after reset.. I've tried using a combination of the Windows XP built-in networking software, Apple Airport Utility, as well as Bonjour to get things configured and working right over the network. I've also installed the AT&T software, one is running the Mcafee security suite, and mine (the Etnernet box) is running the diagnostic utility.
I've tried defaulting all the firewall settings in either/or/all routers i've tried setting the Airport up with, and there still seems to be problems getting file and printer sharing to work right on all computers, and still remain safe behind the firewall. All the network hardware is set up with wpa2/psk authentication, and appears to be configured correctly.
The only version of the Apple Airport Utility that will run successfully on the systems, is the original version that came on the CD with the Airport. Both systems are completely up-to-date from Windows update, and are both running XP service pack 3.
I know for a fact, that the Airport is working just fine, as I've troubleshot all possible known hardware issues with it individually, hooked up to 1 pc (with current updates installed and running). Wireless works fine, i'm actually running the Airport utility on my main system in the living room, that's hooked up hardwired to the router. Both systems get online and surf without a problem going through either/or router as well. I've also tried dissabling the Windows firewall on both systems, and trying to set up file and printer sharing manually using the wizard, and that don't seem to resolve the issues either. However, both systems (wheather hooked up networked, OR individually), have both been experiencing some odd "quirks". The Ethernet box i'm on, has overwritten my primary HD, as "Athena" and made it unusable. The wireless box, has been giving simular "boot-up" related errors as well. I've checked the Cmos/DOS settings on both, and performed the suggested "boot-up" priority related tasks, and both systems are still experiencing problems. The Mcafee suite is up-to-date, and has caught several potentially dangrous programs running on the wireless box, hooked up to the Airport Express, INCLUDING the bundled HP diagnostic software.. However file and printer sharing still remains elusive...
Are there any suggestions about settings to check on the devices, or in the computers, to make sure it's all configured correctly?

Answer 1

...Also file/printer sharing just flat out over the network is NOT a problem, as it's been configured before over ethernet through my Netgear router and file/printer sharing worked just fine.
The main problem seems to be in the Airport Express' settings, it will "get configured" and then lock me out of the utility to where I can't get back in..
The main Airport password has not been changed, and the wireless network encryption is the same for all wireless devices running on the network.
The main problem, just seems to be with the Airport.
Even the Home Portal has detected the Netgear router (unless it having my Netgear router saved in it's settings might be causing a conflict)... Suggestions?
I've contacted AT&T Home Networking for help already about the Home Portal, unfortunately they can not help me with other network related issues, since i'm not using the 2 wire wireless adapters offered by AT&T...
Message was edited by: okwolffcub