Networking with windows

Question

I am new to Linux Ubuntu. I can connect to my window shares from Ubuntu but my windows computers cannot see my Laptop loaded with Ubuntu.

The message I get is" sharing services are not installed" You need to install at least either Samba or NFS in order to share your folders.

Both "install unix netwoks support(NFS) and
Install windows networks support(SMB) are ticked and when I click install I get the same message.

I think Samba common is already installed.

I am using Ubuntu 7.10

Does linux have c: d: etc drives as windows or is it folders?

How do I get to the command prompt to type Linux commands?

I am also having trouble connecting to the internet; is there something like dial-up networking on ubuntu. I do not know how to connect to my service provider.

How can I get my modem to dial my service provider?

Thank you,
Dimitri