Due to some reasons, sometimes it is necessary to connect to PCs directly. Most popular cases, when you need direct connection, are the following:

Reasons to connect PCs directly:

-You purchased a new PC and want to transfer data from old PC to a new one.

-Somebody wants to play network game with you using laptop.

-Share a folder or printer between two PCs.

-You want to copy few HD films from one PC to another, but you cannot burn them, as it takes a lot of time and not all films can be burned on the DVD disk.

Things you need to have in order to connect  2 PCs:

--two PCs with the network adapters;

--ethernet crossover cable (it can be found in the nearest computer shop or you can make it by yourself);

Configuring network properties on both PCs (laptops) in Windows XP:

1. Plug in the ethernet crossover cable into PCs.

2. Navigate to [Start] > [Control Panel] > [Network Connections]. In the opened window, find LAN connection right click on it and choose [Properties].

When the Local Area Connection Properties window appeares, choose Internet Protocol (TCP/IP). In the opened Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties  switch the radio-button to "Use the folllowing IP address".

NOTE: Use 192.168.1.x IP address (where x is any number from 1 to 255 - these numbers are reserved for local networks). Choose different IP-addresses for both PCs.

3.  Open [System Properties] on both PCs ([Start] > [My computer] > right click on it, choose [Properties]), in the opened window go to "Computer Name" page, specify Computer Name on both PCs and ensure that they have the same workgroup name. 

4. Select the folder you want to share, right click on it, select [Properties]. In the opened window go to "Sharing" tab and configure settings.

Now both PCs are accessible, you can share folders and printers, exchange files, play games etc.