Sorry I was so wrapped up the whole man over machine triumph thing I neglected to mention the install.
Initially I had only installed the Samba Server. After re-reading the step by step online guide I realized I missed a step.I reinstalled on another HD and included OpenSSH Server. Then everything went fine. I will add another larger HD for storage after I add it to my home network and install the GUI interfaces on our laptops. I will let you know how that goes. I plan to serve this through a PS3, I will have to add that, my children won't let me use theirs. Hopefully I can find an older(FAT) one I understand that they can more easily be adapted to the uses I hope to employ on the network.
thanks to all who have replied. Glad to see so much help available.