reconnecting my homegroup

I've decided to try and resolve my home network issues instead of relying on jump drives and sneaker net.
I used to be able to see files from my desktop at home on the laptop that i use at home and work. (The work part seems to function just fine).
At home, i've had intermittent access to the files i need but lately, none at all. When i go through the network trouble shooters, it feels like a circle going nowhere. I've tried removing firewalls. I made a new homegroup on the desktop, but can't change anything on the laptop. I deleted the idstore.sst file on the laptop as suggested in a Win7 MS forum. Still no help.
What i'd love to do is start again, but i can't remove the homegroup from the laptop.
I've gotten really great help in the GeekPolice malware forum, so i thought i'd try this.
I feel like i'm going in very frustrating circles. any suggestions or magic fixes would be SO appreciated.
best
buffm

Did you try System Restore to before you starting having this problem?

no, because it worked some times....
and i don't want to mess up the fact that it works connected to my work computer