How to Connect Two PCs Running XP
Step 1
Turn on both computers and plug the crossover wire into the ethernet ports of both computers.
Step 2
Click the Start button on the first computer. Open the Control Panel and double-click "Network Connections." Click "Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)" and "Properties."
Step 3
Select "Use the Following IP Address." Type "192.168.1.1" in the IP Address box. Type "25.255.255.0" in the Subnet Mask box. Click "OK" to exit network connections.
Step 4
Click the Start button and right-click on "My Computer." Click "Properties." Click the Computer Name tab.
Step 5
Click "Change." Type in "Computer One" in the computer name box. Click "Workgroup" and type in a name for the computer network that you are creating. Click "OK" and restart the computer.
Step 6
Repeat the steps for the second computer with two changes: For this computer's IP Address, type in "192.168.1.2," and type "Computer Two" in the computer name box.

How to Connect Two PCs Running Vista
Step 1
Turn on both computers and plug the crossover wire into the ethernet ports of both computers.
Step 2
Click the Start button. Click "Connect To" and "View Network Computers." Open the Network and Sharing Center.
Step 3
Open "Manage Network Connections" and go to the LAN (local area network) section. Click "Properties." Check "Internet Protocol Version 4" and click "Properties."
Step 4
Select "Use the Following IP Address." Type "192.168.1.1" in the IP Address box. Type "25.255.255.0" in the Subnet Mask box. Click "OK" to exit network connections.
Step 5
Click the Start button and right-click on "My Computer." Click "Properties." Click the "Computer Name" tab.
Step 6
Click "Change." Type in "Computer One" in the computer name box. Click "Workgroup" and type in a name for the computer network that you are creating. Click "OK" and restart the computer.
Step 7
Repeat the steps for the second computer with two changes: For this computer's IP Address, type in "192.168.1.2," and type "Computer Two" in the computer name box.