First off you cant connected two comuter to each other, you will need a cross over cabel, or a switch/hub.
And it seem you are having a problem installing the network card. In oder to fully understand the problem you'll have to post the error message in full. I would make sure to uninstall all the drivers for the network card, remove the network card, and start over. But if you post the error message I can assist you better.
p.s. Windows ME Sux!
Check out "Worst OS Ever" Form
Later `Keith