VPN connects fine, but then no network access

I've got a vpn endpoint router that I'm connecting to with a vpn client using IPSec with DES and MD5, pre-shared key. It connects just fine. My only problem is that once it's connected, my network neighborhood doesn't show my network at home and trying to view my workgroup computers results in an error stating that the workgroup computers could not be reached. When I try to do a manual connection, the same error results.

It is very likely I've missed some very simple thing - I'm new to networking and especially VPN. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Are you trying to see your home side network or the other location's network?

Try typing into the UNC (\servernamesharename) and see if it comes up that way, or attempt to ping whatever you're trying to reach.

I dont think netbios traffic is usually sent over a vpn. You should be able to access machines by IP though. I've never tried routing netbios traffic over a vpn but I'm sure it is possible. Just do (backslash)(backslash)ipaddress(backslash)sharename and it should go fine. As long as you have rights to the share of course

If you had an active directory domain setup at work you might be able to access machines via their full dns name. That is if the vpn server handed out the windows domain controller's ip for dns resolution.