Network Cable Unplugged

[banchyzaa]

I have a dell laptop with windows xp home edition and a desktop with windows professional. I connected both computer with a network cable but the network icon on both machine said network cable unplugged. I heard that i need a crossover cable i don't know what is that. can anyone tell me how can a fix this problem.
thanks

 

[Vigilante]

You do need a crossover cable to go from PC to PC. Most any computer store should be able to make you one, or at least have one for sale. I don't see them often in retail stores.