network Problem

Computers to be networked:

1. 800 Mhz Desktop using Windows XP Pro
2. IBM ThinkPad 560Z using Windows 98

How I am attempting this:


1. One cable from Cable Modem to onboard ethernet card in desktop (Realtek
RTL8139 Family PCI Fast Ethernet NIC).
2. Second cable from another network card on desktop to network PC card on
laptop. (SMC EZ Card 10/100 PCI on desktop to SMC 10/100 PC Card on labtop).

On the desktop, I have one LAN conncection for the cable internet, and
another for the labtop.

Problem:

When I try using the Network Wizard in Windows XP, it continues to give me
the problem "network cable unplugged" for the second LAN connection.
This is when I have plugged in all the cables.

I have tried and tested almost everything. I tested all 3 network cards by
plugging directly into the cable internet, and they work fine. As do the
actual cables.

The only problem is that when I connect between the desktop and the labtop,
I get nothing on both ends.

Anyone have a solution ? Or another cheap alternative way to share files,
internet and resources ?

Thanks in advance

C.

"a1a" <foobarnone.TakeThisOut@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:PLDRa.449671$3C2.12245007@news3.calgary.shaw.ca...
 > Computers to be networked:
 >
 > 1. 800 Mhz Desktop using Windows XP Pro
 > 2. IBM ThinkPad 560Z using Windows 98
 >
 > How I am attempting this:
 >
 >
 > 1. One cable from Cable Modem to onboard ethernet card in desktop (Realtek
 > RTL8139 Family PCI Fast Ethernet NIC).
 > 2. Second cable from another network card on desktop to network PC card on
 > laptop. (SMC EZ Card 10/100 PCI on desktop to SMC 10/100 PC Card on
labtop).
 >
 > On the desktop, I have one LAN conncection for the cable internet, and
 > another for the labtop.
 >
 > Problem:
 >
 > When I try using the Network Wizard in Windows XP, it continues to give me
 > the problem "network cable unplugged" for the second LAN connection.
 > This is when I have plugged in all the cables.
 >
 > I have tried and tested almost everything. I tested all 3 network cards
by
 > plugging directly into the cable internet, and they work fine. As do the
 > actual cables.
 >
 > The only problem is that when I connect between the desktop and the
labtop,
 > I get nothing on both ends.
 >
 > Anyone have a solution ? Or another cheap alternative way to share files,
 > internet and resources ?
 >
 > Thanks in advance
 >
 > C.

Might sound too dumb, but you did use a crossover cable between the laptop
and desktop, right?<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->