Network connections (Wookiee'd or Sorted)

Might be, but I have never used anything like this so here is the Help File (part of it) for Remote Desktop Connection:

Frequently asked questions about Remote Desktop ConnectionWith Remote Desktop Connection, you can easily connect to a remote computer running Windows. All you need is network access and permissions to connect to the other computer. You can also specify special settings for your connection, and then save the settings for the next time you connect.
What is Remote Desktop Connection?
Remote Desktop Connection is a technology that allows you to sit at a computer and connect to a remote computer in a different location. For example, you can connect to your work computer from your home computer and have access to all of your programs, files, and network resources as though you were in front of your computer at work. You can leave programs running at work and when you get home, you will see your work computer's desktop displayed on your home computer, with the same programs running.
 
What is a full computer name?
Also known as a fully qualified domain name (FQDN), a full computer name includes the host (computer) name, the domain name, and all the higher level domains. For example, the full computer name of a computer named "host" might be host.example.microsoft.com.
 
When do I need to use authentication in Remote Desktop Connection?
Use authentication when you want to securely verify that you are connecting to the correct computer. Your network administrator might also require you to use authentication.
 
What are server authentication options?
In Remote Desktop Connection, server authentication verifies that you are connecting to the correct remote computer, or server. This security measure helps prevent the interception of data by an unauthorized remote computer. There are three available authentication options:
Always connect, even if authentication fails (least secure): With this option, even if Remote Desktop Connection cannot verify the identity of the remote computer, it connects anyway.
Warn me if authentication fails (more secure): With this option, if Remote Desktop Connection cannot verify the identity of the remote computer, it warns you so that you can choose whether to proceed with the connection or not.
Don't connect if authentication fails (most secure): With this option, if Remote Desktop Connection cannot verify the identity of the remote computer, you won't be able to connect.
To change authentication options, open Remote Desktop Connection, click Options, and then click the Advanced tab. If you're not sure which option to choose, ask your system administrator or the owner of the remote computer.
Remote computers that are running Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 1 (SP1) or earlier operating systems cannot provide their identity for verification. If you know that the remote computer is running one of those operating systems, you can avoid authentication warnings by choosing Always connect, even if authentication fails, and then saving that change by clicking Save or Save As on the General tab.
The default option is "Always connect, even if authentication fails." To change it for future use, select the authentication level you want, and then, on the General tab, click Save or Save As to save your settings to an .rdp file. To connect to the same remote computer in the future, double-click the .rdp file.
 
What is Network Level Authentication?
Network Level Authentication (NLA) is a new authentication method that completes user authentication before you establish a full Remote Desktop connection and the logon screen appears. This is a more secure authentication method that can help protect the remote computer from hackers and malicious software. The advantages of NLA are:
It requires fewer remote computer resources initially. The remote computer uses a limited number of resources before authenticating the user, rather than starting a full Remote Desktop connection as in previous versions.
It can help provide better security by reducing the risk of denial-of-service attacks (attempts to limit or prevent access to the Internet).
It uses remote computer authentication, which can help protect people from connecting to remote computers that are set up for malicious purposes.
To find out if your computer is running a version of Remote Desktop with NLA
Open Remote Desktop Connection.
Click the icon in the top left corner of the Remote Desktop Connection dialog box, and then click About.
Look for the phrase "Network Level Authentication supported" on the About Remote Desktop Connection dialog box.
 
What is a Terminal Services Gateway server?
A Terminal Services Gateway (TS Gateway) server is a type of gateway that enables authorized users to connect to remote computers on a corporate network from any computer with an Internet connection. TS Gateway uses Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) along with HTTPS to help create a more secure, encrypted connection.
In earlier versions of Remote Desktop Connection, people could not connect to remote computers across firewalls and network address translators because port 3389—the port used for Remote Desktop connections—is typically blocked to enhance network security. However, a TS Gateway server uses port 443, which transmits data through a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) tunnel.
A TS Gateway server provides these benefits:
Enables Remote Desktop connections to a corporate network from the Internet without having to set up a virtual private network (VPN) connection.
Enables connections to remote computers across firewalls.
Allows you to share a network connection with other programs running on your computer. This enables you to use your ISP connection instead of your corporate network to send and receive data over the remote connection.
Ask your network administrator whether you need to specify a TS Gateway server.
To specify a TS Gateway server:
Open Remote Desktop Connection by clicking Start, clicking Programs or All Programs, clicking Accessories, and then clicking Remote Desktop Connection.
Click Options, click the Advanced tab, and then, under Connect from anywhere, click Settings.
Select Use these TS Gateway server settings, and then type the server name (ask your network administrator for this information).
Select one of the three available logon methods:
Allow me to select later. This option lets you select a logon method when you connect.
Ask for password. This option prompts you for a password when you connect.
Smart card. This option prompts you to insert a smart card when you connect.
Select or clear the Bypass TS Gateway server for local addresses check box.
Selecting this check box prevents traffic to and from local network addresses from being routed through the TS Gateway server, which makes your connection faster.
 Note
Your network administrator might not allow changes to TS Gateway server settings.
 
Is there dual monitor support for Remote Desktop Connection?
Remote Desktop Connection supports high-resolution displays that can be spanned across multiple monitors. The monitors must be the same height and aligned side by side. To have the remote computer's desktop span two monitors, type Mstsc /span at a command prompt.
This feature is sometimes called continuous resolution. To toggle in and out of full-screen spanned mode, press CTRL+ALT+BREAK.
 
How can I change the listening port for Remote Desktop Connection?
For additional security, you can change the port that Remote Desktop Connection uses (or "listens on"), instead of using the standard port 3389. When you log on, type the remote computer name, followed by a colon and the desired port (for example, Computer1:3390).
 
How does Remote Programs work?
Remote Programs is a feature in Windows that allows you to connect to a remote computer and use programs installed on it. For example, your workplace might have a remote computer that you and other employees can connect to and run Microsoft Word. The experience is the same as running a program installed on your computer.
Remote Programs makes system administration easier because there is only one copy of a program to upgrade or maintain, rather than many copies installed on individual computers.
 
To open Remote Desktop Connection, click Start, click Programs or All Programs, click Accessories, and then click Remote Desktop Connection.
To enable your computer to accept remote connections, open System in Control Panel. In Windows XP, click the Remote tab and then select the Allow users to connect remotely to this computer check box. In Windows Server 2003, click the Remote tab and then select the Enable Remote Desktop on this computer check box. Click OK.
To view a list of available computers on a domain, open Remote Desktop Connection, click the arrow next to Computer, and select Browse for more.
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But if it works for a connection in the home you may need a server or a network first that can do that. (????)

Is it possible to set my Windows 7 64 bit PC to see my XP machines in my network?

What do you mean see? 


Of course you can network any versions of windows with each other. XP and Win 7 are a snap. You do have to set up a share for the drives/partitions/folders/files on the computer you want to see, and if you are requiring passwords to access accounts it simplifies things to set up an account with the same name and password on all the computers. Once on your network, the XP shares will appear as drives/folders that you can set permissions to use as though they are on your Win 7 computer and vice versa. 
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Networking-home-computers-running-different-versions-of-Windows

If you mean to display the other computers on your network map, then you would need to install another windows download. But that map is pretty nearly useless--just eye candy.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/922120

It is Network Setup Wizard in Control Panel (XP) is what you use. Remote Control is like I said more for programming and controlling your computer from another computer to usually fix it or see what is going on. But like I said, using the slow 9-pin 9600 baud connection (usually used before for a mouse) is not all that fast and it did not work, because I think a person needs a null connection cable which is not mentioned in the video, so all it sounds great and maybe I could get it to work on the broadband Internet, but then you will have to try it, and I have no need for it anyway now or in the future.

To clarify

I have a network. 

The new windozs 7 PC was being awkward about seeing the rest of the PC's on the network.  Where all my backups, updates, other acquired and assorted essential dross is stored.

Problem has now been resolved by Wookieeness.

Thank you for all of the useful information which in the end I only read after I resolved the said problem