Hi - my son has 2 state-of-the-art computers, one laptop, one desktop both running XP (I believe home but not sure) - At this point - He really doesn't have an internet connection however he does 'jump on' a friends (legally) once in a while. What he's trying to do is connect the 2 computers so he can get some files.

He went out and bought a cable that plugs into the NIC cards (not a nic cable but one specifically to attach computers using your NIC connection - forgot what he called it).... Anyway, he plugged in the cables to each computer and is have all kinds of problems accessing the computers.

He has named each computer - the Home Network is MSHOME name. You would think that hardwiring a computer through the NIC connection would automagically show the drives on each computer. At times he can SEE the other computer but says he doesn't have permission to access (resource access) - that's one error. He DID enable sharing. His Name when logging on DOES HAVE Administrator rights. WHAT IS HE MISSING? Does there need to be a protocol somewhere? How would he initiate it. Remember, he CAN see the computer - sometimes - and he says he cannot see his desktop from the laptop but CAN see the laptop from the desktop - just can't access.

REALLY, in today's technology - it really should be a push of a button - especially when you have a DIRECT connect (hard wire) - it should be a no-brainer..... Appreciate insight.