connect laptop and desktop using ethernet

[setharsh]

how do i connect my laptop and my desktop using ethernet?

i have a crossover cable and both computers have network adapters installed.

i set the laptop's (host) IP settings as :

ip - 192.168.1.6
subnet - 255.255.255.0
default gateway - 192.168.1.1

the desktop's setting's were:

ip - 192.168.1.5
subnet - 255.255.255.0
default gateway - 192.168.1.1

the i created a workgroup "MSHOME" on both comps but i still could not transfer files.

i also shared the hard-disks of both computers.

both run win xp without SP2.

[digen]

Firewall? Disable software firewall if any & also make sure the windows firewall is turned off from control panel.
What message do you get when you try accessing resources of one from the other?
Can you ping each other?

start>run>cmd>ping 192.168.1.5

What result do you get?

[icecoolz]

and also your host computer becomes the gateway hence the laptop gateway settings should be 192.168.1.6 and the gateway settings for your desktop should also be the same as above.