Networking 2 XP OS Computers. Direct Ethernet Connection.

Hello,

I was wondering if anyone can help me? I am trying to connect 2 computers, both running Win XP. One has Home edition, and the other Professional. There is no internet connection for either computer. I want to connect them stright with no internet access. I connected a CAT 6 ethernet cable between the two computer's 10/100 Ethernet cards, and than ran the network setup wizard. No matter what I do, even following the wizard to the tee, I can not get a connection. Am I doing something wrong? Do I have the right cable (Cat 6)? I have no idea what can be wrong. Please someone help me. I have been pulling out my hair all day.
Thank you anyone whom can help.

To network two computers together with no hub/router/switch requires a special type of ethernet cable called a "crossover" cable. "Regular" ethernet cable ment to be connected to a hub/router will not work. The only difference between what you connect to a hub and what you use to connect computer-computer is the ordering of the coloured wires in the RJ-45 connector. For more technical stuff here is one site:

http://gccprinters.com/support/doc/crossover.html

Here is a site about setting up the type of network you desire:

http://www.atpm.com/network/setup/ethernet_crossover.html

Cheers

Thanks a lot! I set up the network today using that same cat 6 cable, after fabricating it to specs I found on one of the websites you posted. The RJ-45 Cat 6 is backwards compared to the crossover, plus a few connections are left open. Awesome stuff man. I ended up changing the wires around, soldering them in place, and than connecting the wire directly between the ethernet cards. It worked perfectly. Thank you so much.

GerryU