For this section I'll assume you're installing a peer-to-peer network (the one without the hub).  If you're setting up a hub-based network, then move on to Part 3.  To see a better screenshot, click any of the images.

Now that you've got both network cards installed, get your crossover cable and plug one end in into the first network card.  Then plug the other end into the second computer's network card.  Who says networking is hard?

Now comes the fun bit.  Load up Windows and right-click on the Network Neighborhood icon.  Click on the Identification tab.  Give your computer a unique name (i.e. different from the other computer).  Some people just use numbers, but I encourage people to be imaginative.  Call your computers after films, comic book characters, birds of prey, whatever.  Next click on the Access Control tab and make sure that 'Share-level access control' is selected.

Now for the complicated bit...  Pay attention...

Under the Configuration tab, you'll see entries for your network card, along with a list of protocols.  The simple stuff first; make sure that the Primary Network Logon is set to 'Client for Microsoft Networks'.  Click on 'File and Print Sharing...' and tick both boxes.

Scroll down the list, and make sure that both TCP/IP and NetBEUI are installed.  If NetBEUI is not listed, click on 'Add...', then select 'Protocol', then click 'Add...' again, then after Windows has built it's driver information database, choose Microsoft from the left list and NetBEUI from the right.  Click OK, insert your Windows disc if it asks for it, and you're done.

Now, double-click on the entry for your network card (the one with what looks like a stylised PCI card next to it).  If you bought the SMC cards like I suggested, it'll be listed as '32-Bit Fast Ethernet Adapter'.  In the window that pops up, click on the 'Bindings' and make sure that both 'TCP/IP' and 'NetBEUI appear in the list and are ticked.  They should be by default, but it's always worth checking.

Next, double-click on the TCP/IP entry for your network card.  Make sure that it's the right one - if you've got an Internet connection then there'll be an entry for that as well.  Under the 'IP Address' tab, make sure 'Specify an IP address:' is chosen.  Then, fill the 'IP Address' with the values '192.168.0.1' and the 'Subnet Mask:' with '255.255.255.0'.  See the screenshot if you're having difficulty understanding.  Click OK and don't worry about any of the other tabs.

Finally, double-click on the entry 'Client for Microsoft Networks' in the list.  Make sure that 'Quick logon' is selected, and that 'Log on to Windows NT domain' *isn't* ticked.

Reboot the computer and do the same with the second computer, only changing the computer name and the IP address you entered to '192.168.0.2'.  Everything else stays the same.

Restart the second computer, and you're ready to start sharing files!
 
 
 

To check if the network is running, go to the 'Run' prompt on the first compuer and type:

PING 192.168.0.2

You should get something like the screenshot up.  If not, go back through the list checking all the settings.  Also make sure that it was a crossover cable you bought - a normal patch cable it won't work!

Now that everything is set up, you can skip to Part 4, or read the next section for what to do if you buy a hub.