Hi I'm interested in connecting my 2 computers, each with XP, via a crossover network cable. A LAN connection is established, but I am neither able to detect the other computer from one computer, or share files. Am I not doing anything that should be done?

Go to control panel and click on network connections. Look in the left panel for create home network. It will talk you through it and create a floppy to use in the other computer.

You probly jsut need to turn on sharing. Open up my computer on the 1st computer. Right click on the main harddrive (c:) then select sharing and security. Fill in the stuff and right down the share name. Then look for your computers name by right clciking on my computer, selecting properties, and then clciking the computer name tab, right this down. No go to the second computer and right click on my computer. Select map networkdrive in the box type //comper1name/shared drive/ replace computer1name with the name of the first computer you wrote down, and shared drive with the shared folder name you wrote down. Now clcik ok, and close any windows that pop-up. Double click on my computer and look for a new drive called "shared drive on computer1name" again replacing the names as neccisary. Double clcik it and you should see the contents of the drive of the shaed folder on the 1st computer. You can repeat the process and share any folders you want from either computer.