I need to hook 2 computers directly together with a cat 5 and 2 nic cards both running win xp for pl

both have xp pro nic cards and are directly linked with a cat 5 cable but I can not get them to find eachother . there is no internet involved these are just gamming computers I want to link to play games at the same time what do I do or where can I go to find out how to do this.

I need to hook 2 computers directly together with a cat 5 and 2 nic cards both running win xp for playing gamestinger

This can be found in Windows Help. Search ''connect two computers''

Connecting the computers together

This shows how to connect your computers together using an Ethernet, home phoneline network adapter (HPNA), or wireless network adapter. It displays basic network configuration without a residential gateway or Internet Connection Sharing.

Connection type: Ethernet

Required hardware: A network adapter is installed into each computer and then connected to a network hub.

View computer configuration : Configure an Ethernet network using a network hub.

I need to hook 2 computers directly together with a cat 5 and 2 nic cards both running win xp for playing gamevirus scanner

you cant use a straight thru Cat 5 cable, you need what is called a CROSSOVER cable. It changes the pinouts from one end to the other. Or you must put a device between them like a hub or router to use a straight thru cable
The cable you are using to link the cards must be ''crossed'' or else you need a hub/router to connect the two. If the cable is crossed, run the ''network setup wizard'' thru windows XP.