Hi I have just set up my 2 computers as a LAN, using a crossover cable and no hub. everything seemed to be working fine until I noticed that computer A would freeze during the loading of windows, unless I have computer B going. When A is frozen the light on the network card is flickering constantly. It is necessary to hit the reset button and boot into safe mode. If I delete the protocols IPX/SPX and netbeui (I have tried both), it boots without computer B being logged on. I have reinstalled the network card, as initially there were 2 installations of it showing up under control pannel/networking, and this was causing double entries of each protocol I installed, I mistakenly thought this could have been causing the problem. Computer B boots properly with both IPX/SPX and Netbeui installed whether or not comp A is online. Entries listed in control pannel/networks: Client for Microsoft Networks Dial up adapter Realtek RTL 8029(AS) PCI Ethernet Nic TCP/IP -> Dialup Adapter TCP/IP -> Realtek RTL 8029(AS) PCI Ethernet Nic File and printer sharing for Microsoft Networks Both computers have shared level access control, all drives on both machines are set for full sharing. I was advised to check for mapped network drives in "my Computer" but only local drives are listed. Strangely I am still able to access files across the LAN with only the TCP/IP protocol installed. With this setup and when viewing the network on comp A It is necessary to go to Network Neighborhood /Entire network/Workgroup to access comp B. When viewing the network on comp B, comp A shows up in Network Neighborhood as normal. The only other problem I encountered was, I was unable to print from comp A to the local printer on compB. I could however do the reverse, print from B to A's local printer. As I still seem to have file sharing via TCP/IP ???? the dirty fix would be to only install the IPX/SPX Protocol when I need to have a gaming session...... Always having the second computer on is not an option. Here's hoping someone knows how to fix this problem. Hardware - Comp A: AsusA7M266 Mainboard AMD Athlon 1333 CPU 512meg DDR RAM 30 gig WD HDD 64meg GforceGTS DDR Graphics Creative live value Sound card Realtek pci network card Intelli eye mouse etc etc etc Hardware - Comp B Asus SP97v AMD 400 CPU (overclocked to 450) 94 meg RAM 20 gig HDD Voodoo 2 Graphics card Sound blaster 16 sound card NE2000 ethernet network card. etc etc etc Thanks in advance... Leigh Jennings [log in to unmask] Do you want to signoff PCBUILD or just change to Digest mode - visit our web site: http://freepctech.com/pcbuild.shtml