Networking a Windows Vista PC and MacBook

Hey guys. I am trying to share files and a printer connected to my Windows Vista PC. Yesterday I could see the Widnows "public" folders and be able to take files from them, but couldn't put files in the folders. Then I went and set up an account on both computer with the same exact user name and password (I saw thatw as necessary somewhere). However I can't print from my Mac through the PC. Somietimes when I go to add Windows printer under system prefs printers, I see the printer and sometimes I don't. Even when I see it, I can't get it to add correctly and work. I NEED HELP. I have no idea what I am doing wrong. The name of the wrokgroup on my PC is WORKGROUP. How can I check and make sure that is the same on my MacBook? Any help would be GREATLY appreciated. I have file and printer sharing on on both computers obviously