Networking 2 computers

[wezzzz]

Hi guys

I am fairly new to networking and have ran into a couple of problems already, I was wondering if you could point me in the right direction.

I have recently bought a new Laptop and want to network it to my main pc via a crossover Ethernet cable. My main Pc is running Windows Xp Home and the laptop is runing Xp Pro. The problem I have is.... when I enable my Ethernet card I am able to share folders and ping both machines (which is great) but I loose my Internet connection. Then when I disable the Ethernet card, My Internet connection comes back to the main pc. But I loose the network and am unable to ping either computer.
Both Machines have the windows firewall disabled and are running Zone Alarm, I have added both computers to the WORKGROUP but can't understand why I can only have either (the Internet working or the network) but not both together.
Ideally I want to have file sharing and Internet sharing on both Pc's

Any advice will be great

Thanks in advance

Wez

 

[Thraxis77]

Well, my first question would be, did you enable Internet Connection Sharing on the PC connected to the internet? And what type of connection is it, dial-up or broadband? Without a router/switch, this will be the best way to connect 2 PCs together and have a 3rd connection out.