I have a 10/100 ethernet card installed on my pc. How do I connect my pc to a laptop running windows xp, using ethernet, to play multiplayer games over it like halflife. I only, however want anything, eg. network logon boxes, to appear when I click something to connect the 2 computers, and not every time I switch the thing on. Thank-you, Dennis Waters.

You can connect the two together using a crossover cable or you can purchase an inexpensive hub and connect both PC's to that using regular CAT5 cable. I'm not sure what you mean in the second part of the question.

If you just want to play network games over it then you won't need a login password. Otherwise, for file sharing you will. To do, firstly the computers must be connected together with a RJ-45 Cat5E lead. There are two ways to do this, using a hub/switch and two "PATCH" leads, or using a "CROSSOVER" cable to connect both computers using the LAN ports (Ethernet). The crossover method will ONLY allow twp computers to connect simultaneously like you want. The hub and patch lead method allows more computers to connect but is more expensive and slower. Once you have your eqipment set up, you'll need to configure you IP address. On both computers, right click on "Network Places' and then click on "Properties". From here you'll have a list of protocals. For WinXP, the protocal will alrady be installed, "Internet Protocal TCP/IP". For Win 98 you'll have to install it by clicking on "Add" I think it is then "Protocals" and then "TCP/IP". You may need your Win98 CD at this stage. Click on that and then "Ok" then "Ok" again then "Apply". Your computer will now restart. Once done, repeat the step to get to the Network properties. Now double Click on the TCP/IP protocal. Click on the little circle that says "Use Custom IP Address" I think it is. The below boxes will become active. Now you need to type in a IP address, e.g. "100.100.100.100". Both IP's on the two computers must be unique so on the other one use "100.100.100.101" for example. Now in the subnet mask type in this for BOTH computers "255.255.255.0" Click "Apply" and restart both computers. Now you should be able to play your game, you'll have to set it up first in the game network options and use the "TCP/IP" connection method. I may have missed something, I just type that from memory.