hi, if i connect 2 compuetrs with a crossover cable am i able to use internet on the 2nd computer which hasn't got the usb cable modem plugged into it? thanks

Are you saying: you have a USB modem (cable/dsl service) plugged into one PC; the two PC's are to networked to each other via cross-over cable; and that you wish to share the internet access between the two PCs? If so then the answer is yes, you can (should be able to) set up ICS on the host PC (the one with modem) to service the client PC (the one without a modem). Remember that the host PC (it has the modem) must be on/active to service the client PC (i.e. provide internet access). http://www.dslreports.com networking\sharing sections deals with various ways of sharing a cable\dsl connection. http://www.helmig.com - covers all flavours of M$ networking, and for ICS etc specifically: http://www.wown.info/j_helmig/win2k.htm and scroll down aways...

OK, thanks thats great!