WINSCP times out when trying to connect to a LINUX box

Hi;
I have a friend who is trying to connect to his linux box from his MS Windows xp pro laptop using WINSCP.
He has the root userid and password.
When he tries to start WINSCP in Windows XP Pro, it times out.
When he goes into his LINUX Box and pings the WINDOWS XP Laptop, then switches over to the PC, he tries to execute it and lo and behold, it works.
I have added the IP, FQDNS and HOST name of the linux box into his WINDOWS Host file.
I have added the IP, FQDNS and HOST name of the PC into the host file on the LINUX box.
What could be the problem?
Any help would be very appreciated.
Thanks
The rock