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Turn off the firewall(s) on the PC to make it easier.

Read the Windows help files for file sharing.  (You have to enable file sharing AND share a file.)

And wait a while for it to work.  It may take a few minutes before folders show as available.

I struggled for weeks with this but finally got my MacPro running Leopard to share files/folders with my Dell Laptop running Windows Vista Business using my ethernet network at home.  I won't bore you with every step but here are some lessons I learned along the way.  You have to work the PC and the MAC settings separately and then connect them.
   On the Dell I had to identify the network as "private".  The default for Vista is "public" and that prevents the Dell from seeing any external devises.  I also had a Norton Antivirus program that ran its own firewall in addition to the Windows firewall.  Each day when I turn on the computers I have to disable the Norton firewall so the Mac and Dell can see each other.  I also had to identify the folder(s) I wanted to share on the Dell and create a username/password for the guest.  When connecting to the Mac I had to use the WINS address instead of the IP address.  You find the WINS address by going to your network preference>built in ethernet and click on Advanced.  Click on WINS and you will find a "Net Bios Name"  Write down that name. 
    Go to Computer>map network drive. When you get to the folder type in \\Net Bios Name\shared folder or volume

  On the MacPro I had to actually change my administrator password since I've had the same one since 10.1 and I read that you need to have a more recent one for Mac/PC connections.  In the sharing preference pane, check the file sharing box then add the folders and volumes you want to share and the groups that can have access.  Be sure to check this preference occasionally because the access settings for "everyone" change back to the default of 'no access" at times.   Then click on the Options button and be sure to check the "Share files and folders using SMB" box. Remember the user name and password you created on the PC.  Now using the "Go" menu in the Finder, click on "Connect to Server". In server address box type in smb://Ip address of the PC/shared folder name. ( In Vista you find the IP address of your PC by clicking on the Start button.  Then type in "Command Prompt" then type in "ipconfig".  You will find the IP address in the first group next to the IPv4 Address row.)  You will be asked for your password.  Use the one you created on the PC.  After that, Keychain can keep track of the password for you. 

Is this complex - yes!!! Once you find the right settings and nomenclatures most of the battle is over. 
Hope this helps. 

Jay