My observations:
When this started it my involvement was always about achieving file transfers "without installing anything". This ability has been around in various OSes since 1994. Along with MS's implementaion, SAMBA has been a phenom in Linux-Unix since 1994.
In my historical 4 Puppy developers have been involved to bring the use of SMB file transfer to be as ever-present in forum distros as FTP since a dozen years ago. They appear to be the very first to bring SAMBA integration into the forum distros arena. And for years now, most forum distros deliver it running OOTB available upon pristine desktop arrivals and beyond on reboots.
In my assistance the PRIMARY upspoken theme has been to create a common folder for which 2 PCs could freely exchange information (without installing anything).
IF anyone got any other idea of what I was directing, the point was missing. My attempt was
to know what was available using a PUP to share a folder for common use (without installing anything). This is known in the industry as the server PC.
to know what is available using a PC to see that folder in their filemanagers (without installing anything). This is known in the industry as the client PC's use.
The OVER-RIDING theme to grasp is that we set up a common folder for which each PC can freely exchange information.
This notion here was to use his PUP to turn on its facility for sharing a folder. Then to focus on getting XP to turn on its ability to see the folder shared. AGAIN without installing anything on any unit in his home network.
The OP started and got SAMBA sharing a folder in the beginning. AFterwhich he ran into the necessary understanding on how to get XP to see the network folder. While I was away, @wizard stepped forward in directions.
Over time, he has been tremendously helpful in getting @Chelsea80 to set up an arrangement for files to be exchanged, COMMONLY!
There is a LOT of discussion over "which way" and "which should" in this very simple concept of a common place to exchange information among LAN PCs; especially since this concept has been ever-present in society for over 2 decades.
So I offer this in thought in todays world of OSes on a LAN. This comes with the underlying understanding that this is done without installing anything.
Any PUP can share a folder for others to user over the network. Any MAC or MS PC can as well. And Unix, too.
Any PC can use their built-in client to exchange information to/from the shared folder.
A user has his/her choice of whether they want their PC to share folders or not via their server feature(s).
A user has his/her choice of whether they want their PC to access folders or not via their client feature(s).
They should be led, when initially helping, to understand that there is no installation that occurs ... rather just that we will help them to see which feature to turn on to house a folder and what to turn on to access a folder.
I am saying this as this discussion of which way "A"-way/"B"-way is unnecessary and unimportant if WE approach this with understanding we set up a common place to share/exchange information AND that the common place can be see by all LAN parties involved.
Again
This I hope this is clear in understanding. And this is accomplished without installing anything, as was first proposed.