Check your /etc/smb.conf file. Depending on whether you've set up server security, user security, or the other (I can't think of the name right now), you might actually have to have the user ID that is connecting (the windows user name) added to your /etc/passwd file - basically set up as a regular user. Also, did you run
testparm after you set up the smb.conf file? Make sure the Unix permissions for the Samba-shared directories are set up to allow that particular user the appropriate access.
Samba is a tough thing to get set up the way you want it at first, but once you get the hang of it, it's worth it. Just keep trying... it comes eventually