i have a hp laptop and advent pc that i want to network together i have network cards in both and have brought a lead to connect them but have no idea about networking can anyone tell me how to configure them to see each other as the shop i have limited money and have been told by the shop i can network them with just the lead i have brought. any ideas?

The most important thing is that the lead be a crossover cable. If it is, this site has tons of info. Just do a search. If you need more step by step stuff try this: Networking Help Larry "Sometimes I lie awake at night, and I ask, 'Where have I gone wrong?' Then a voice says to me, 'This is going to take more than one night.'" Charlie Brown.

it is a crossover cable, do i need any software etc, also i am not sure tcp/ip is enabled or installed on my lan connection any idea how i get it on my mchine if it is needed.

XP should have tcp/ip installed. The software question will be answered more fully by a search or the site I gave you. The short answer is you have everything you need. You just need to confrigure it. Larry "Sometimes I lie awake at night, and I ask, 'Where have I gone wrong?' Then a voice says to me, 'This is going to take more than one night.'" Charlie Brown.