Im trying to join my old desktop and new laptop directly through a crossover cable in order to transfer a large amount of files. Both are running windows XP. ive tried to look at other websites to see a walkthrough, but am unable to find a good one. I have essentially no networking backround, but I am no where near computer illiterate. If anyone could help me out, it would be really appreciated. i probably need step by step instructions

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/setup/default.mspx http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp_ics/index.htm If oyu set up Internet Connection Sharing it will in effect make one PC the Host and the other a Client. The Host will issue an IP address to the client automatically. This will work wether or not you want to share the internet, it sets up a Peer to Peer network.

Hi, Plug your crossover cable into the network port on each computer. Then go into the Control Panel/ Network Connections and double click on the network adaptor (or right click on My Network Places – choose Properties and then right click on your network adaptor and choose Properties). Select the TCP/IP protocol and then choose Properties. Change Obtain IP Address Automatically to Use the Following IP Address – make each computer’s IP address different - the easiest is to input one as 192.168.0.1 and the other as 192.168.0.2. Make the subnet 255.255.255.0 for both computers. Click on OK to save your settings. Then make sure that each computer is using the same Workgroup name. Go to Control Panel/ System (or right click My Computer on your Desktop – choose Properties) and then click on the Computer Name tab. If you have any firewall enabled on your computer then you will need to make sure it is set to allow network users to view your files. This will allow you to share files between your computers, but to access the internet you would need to enable Internet Connection Sharing as the above post describes.

If you didn't purchase the crossover cable already you might also try a standard patch cable. Most newer nic cards will autonegotiate. You would only need one new type nic to work.