I want to network a desktop computer to my work laptop to share files. I am also hoping to do work on the desktop through my laptop (ie: eliminate the desktop moniter, keyboard, etc.) Is there anything I need to do to accomplish this? Can I just do this by buying a USB cord or ethernet cord and connecting the two? Thanks!!! Doug

you need a crossover cable. this is a type of ethernet cable. just set up both interfaces to have static IP addresses and go. in order to control from the other, you could use the remote desktop feature of windows XP. for this, you need to enable remote access.

Question for Buccaneer: I'm doing something similar and I wondered if you could give me some detailed advice, even step by step if you have a minute to spare. There's files on my work laptop (Dell) that I want to put on my home laptop (Sony). Too big to burn to CD. I've got both laptops running XP Home SP2. I have the crossover cable. I've disabled both the windows firewall(s) and my home Trend Micro firewall. I add them to a workgroup that is called MSHOME. Does it matter which one I do first? Like a master/slave? I can get the Dell to see itself in the MSHOME network, under My Network Places>Entire Network>Microsoft Windows Network>MSHOME. But neither computer is seeing the other. I can make the Sony see MSHOME, but when I click on it, it says "you dont have permissions" "contact the administrator" I've gone in depth into the Windows xp sp2 firewall settings, but still not sure what I'm doing with it under properties>Advanced. Before SP2 there used to be a way to change Network Tasks>Change Network Settings> in order to change IP addresses. My Dell has 192.168.1.100 and the Sony has 192.168.1.110, and the same 255.255.255.0 subnet. Are these alright? I have successfully pinged to the other with the command prompt. On the Sony, Under My Network Places, I have the Local Area Network with a RealTek NIC, and another connection called 1394 Net Adapter. The 1394 Net Adapter says it's connected at 400Mbps even while the Dell is turned off. The Dell only has the one LAN connection under its Network Places. I've searched pages upon pages of Google as well as microsoft.com, unable to find some concrete instructions for what I want to do. I think it's because SP2 is still kind of new... Anyway, if you can decipher my jibberish and apply some much needed guidance to my clueless ass, I will be amazed. You have a great day sir.