How do i make a simple home network?

[lukey83]

I have tried networking my 2 laptops but i havent done this before and am a bit confused as to why it wont work.Can someone give me instructions on how to do it without the use of a Hub switch or router?

Can it be done using only a Cat5e cable?

Both Laptops use WinXP

 

[heinzbitte]

If you make the cable into a cross over cable then that would make it work for direct linking.

 

[Praetor]

Lots of guides here too http://www.practicallynetworked.com/