I have no brain, I am stupid using this as a basic premis can we sort out how to make 2 computers talk to each other?

[KatyMac]

I have 2 computers
I have a cross-over cable (It's purple - I like it - it doesn't seem to work)

I have used the wireless network wizard about 73 times & gave up

I have only used the network wizard about 41 times

I could cry

Can anyone help me step by step?
With a kind of idiots guide?

Thanks - I am desparate

[KatyMac]

On & on-line using same router
have shared docs folder (not much in it atm)

Initially I would like settings & stuff transferred from one to the other

Eventually I would like the impossible

Currently I have a removable hard-drive which stores all my work docs & I move it from computer to computer

But now I have employed a clever person (well cleverer than me) I could do with both of us being able to access the same documents (either from the removable hard drive or on one computer) at the same time - we have spent the last 2 weeks using a USB stick to transfer docs back & forward, but it interrupts the other

Plus I'd like to use the printer for both laptops with out being plugged into it (which I think means having the main laptop or hard-drive plugged in at the desk - I work on the kitchen table)

That's a bit long & convoluted isn't it? Sorry

[KatyMac]

Actually that's not very clear is it

So Printer & external hard-drive attached to computer 1
Computer 2 able to access both printer & external hard-drive from somewhere else in the house

[KatyMac]

Oh Don't know about the printer was assuming the computer attached to it would print it

OK ignore the computer

I go through the wizard (occasionally it asks me to plug the usb stick into the router - sometimes it doesn't) &
on new computer I can see new computer in 'View Workgroup Computers' but not old computer
on old computer there are no computers there at all

[KatyMac]

Yep - both XP

[KatyMac]

OK workgroup cannot have a space in it's name - I can change that

[KatyMac]

& I can now 'see' both computers on each

[KatyMac]

No - but I am closer

I think I need a new netwrok name

The network name is different to the Workgroup name, Yes?

[KatyMac]

I can now see both computer but....

I may not have permission to use this netwrok resource

&

The netwrok path was not found

Stupid computer

[KatyMac]

I'll have a look at that

Each computer now acknowledges the existence of the other (which is the first time every both have)

[KatyMac]

"At the command prompt, type:
ping x.x.x.x
where x.x.x.x is the IP address of one of the other computers in your network. For example, 192.168.0.3.
Press ENTER.
If the hardware is functioning correctly, you should receive a message similar to the following:
Reply from 192.168.0.3: bytes=32 time

[KatyMac]

Clever

Now I just need to fix that

Thanks for all this help

[KatyMac]

OK - so I have undone it all

I will start again I think