Joyce,
I think you need a cat-5 or cat-6  crossover cable for a pc to pc connection.  If you're connecting 2 pc's through a switch or modem, a standard (straight thru)  cat5 or cat6 cable to each pc would suffice.  Both types of cables are twisted pair cables, consisting of 4 twisted pairs or 8 conductors, of which only 4 are used. 
Paul Hachmeyer 

----- Original Message -----
From: "Joyce E" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, August 21, 2009 12:53 AM
Subject: [PCBUILD] New network


> It's supposed to be so simple, right?  Both machines are running XP Pro,
> SP 2. I have them hooked together with a simple ethernet cable.  The
> master computer keeps telling me "a network cable is unplugged," and I
> can't get the two computers to "talk" to one another.
>
> One computer is an eMachines; the other is a Compaq.  That shouldn't have
> anything to do with it -- should it?!  TIA for any help here; I'm trying
> to set this up for a friend of mine.  (Of course we all know MS doesn't
> make things any easier for us...)
>
> Joyce in SE Ohio

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