[NoviceBill]

We have 2 computers, one with XP and the other with windows2000. I would like to network them, but haven't yet bought a router; I intend to eventually but want to make sure I can at least get started before spending much money. The issue of PC How-To Guide that I have has a pretty descriptive step-by-step method for networking, and it says that two computers can get by with a RJ-45 crossover cable and nothing else. I believe that I've purchased one (cat 6), but after cabling them together, both computers say that "A network cable is unplugged" when I mouse over the "Local Area Connection" icon. When I run Network Setup Wizard on the XP computer (which will be the ICS host), it also gives me a message indicating that the network cable is unplugged. It's not unplugged, because I plugged it in and can see that it's plugged in. I've rebooted both computers several times, but neither seems to recognize the cable. This seems like it should be simple, but I'm obviously missing something. Any help would be appreciated, as always. Thanks.

[ross_aveling]

If you can confirm that your network cards are ok, the cable you've got is almost certainly not a crossover cable (or worse it's shot).

You can compare the wiring at both ends of the cable; if the colours are exactly in the same order then it'll be a normal 'straight through' cable, otherwise the green and orange wires should be swapped at one end.