Shared 'windows' directory

[Jimmy in NZ]

Hi All
I've asked this question in the support/help group without any replies.
Others have written with similar questions.
I have a home network running, all running XP. I need to read another
stations windows folder (to compare file versions) but I get access denied.
Setup simple share and shared the windows folder. Access denied. What am I
doing wrong and can anybody here help me to do it.
Cheers