trouble transferring files using a crossover cable

[Dannymik]

I want to transfer files between my desktop and laptop. My primary computer is the desktop using Windows XP Professional. I just purchased a laptop that uses Windows Vista Home Premium. I bought a crossover cable to transfer files between the two, but have had no luck with any of this. I've tried changing the IP addresses in both computers to be very similiar. They are both labeled "Workgroup". I'm not very good with Vista yet, so take that into consideration. I don't want to buy some $50-$60 software program to guide me step by step...although I might have to if I can't resolve this! If you can help I'd appreciate it, thanks!

 

[DelJo63]

I'm on XP so I can only show you the XP path on this.

Usually, we run the Network Wizzard,
choose the item that says this computer connects to the Internet and all others
connect to this system
select the SECOND nic card (as the first runs to the Internet)
and finish up.

the second nic will have the address 192.168.0.1 and can be seen via
ipconfig /all

on the OTHER computer,
get the properties of the NIC card
set the ip-address to 192.168.0.2
the mask to 255.255.255.0
the gateway to 192.168.0.1
and the DNS the same as the gateway

now both systems should be able to ping each other

file/print sharing can then be setup