im trying to setup a home network so i can transfer some files back and forth between 2 computers.

I have a network crossover cable and am at the stage of setting up the connection where i run into the problem.
on my desktop i get to the advanced setting under create a new connection, and i can click "connect directly to another computer" ok easy right, well on my notebook, i cannot click that same button " connect directly to another computer".

ive googled and searched and im getting frusterated.
how to i get this to work so i can transfer some file and reformat my notebook?

also, once ive set up the connection on my desktop and i go t connect,(even though there is no notebook to connect to) it askes me for a user name and password... i did not set a user name or password so what do i do about that?

thanks in advance guys!

Can you ping each computer?

Have you set up the firewalls correctly? (disconnect from the internet and disable both firewalls, see if it is them that's causing it)

i have the crossover cable going from the ethernet port to the ethernet port on both computers. but i will try the firewall issue.
also i do not have the internet connected.
im using xp on both comps if that helps.


and i have no idea how to 'ping' the computers

thanks though