I have bought a photo lab running win 2k. I need to network to my main comp to access photos etc. I have set up networking etc and when checking I see the photo lab but cannot access it. The ip addresses are all corect. The only way to access is to connect the two units directly with a crossover cable.Can you advise why this cannot work through my normal network system . I use 8 port swithing unit

Have you got file sharing enabled on your main PC?

The normal networking system will allow you to access shared files and folders but it will not allow you to run actual programs from a remote location. Solve this by one of 2 ways: 1) install your photo lab on the second computer and use it to work with the remote photos. 2) Obtain a program like TightVNC. This program (and others like it) will put the actual desktop and controls of a remote computer in your hands while sitting at the other computer. It's a lot like actually sitting in front of the remote computer. You will then be able to run your programs