What is the simplest and cheapest way to connect 2 computers?

Both computers run Win XP. I do not understand technobabble. I also have a Belkin FastCAT 5e Premium Snagless Networking Cable. If that helps. I connected it to both computers, but got lost after that. If you can help, thank you.

What is the simplest and cheapest way to connect 2 computers?stinger

where you connect the cable to the computers you should see a light - if that light is not lit you may have the wrong type of cable.

(There are two types of cable: cross over and straight through)

You specifically need a cross over cable to connect twop computers together directly.

For steps with windows XP: you'll find this site has the answer you need: http://www.geekgirls.com/windowsxp_home_...

What is the simplest and cheapest way to connect 2 computers?virus scanner

The cable you have is a 'normal' CAT5 (ethernet cable). It is designed to connect you to a network (switch, hub or router), but to connect directly to another computer requires that 2 of the wires inside the cable be reversed.

Unless you have a hub, router or switch, you will need to have a CAT5 (ethernet) CROSSOVER cable.

That will connect the 2 and allow direct transfer of files.

Once you have the CROSSOVER cable installed, or have both machines connected to a hub, router or switch, run the Network Wizard.
You dont say if your network cable is a crossover cable? If it is then that's all you need. If it didn't work then thats why, standard network cables are designed to be connected to a switch/router but if you need to connect directly to another pc then it must be a crossover connection. XP will then take care of the rest.