laptop and pc help

my aim is to network my main pc(xp Home) with my laptop(Vista Basic)

the set up is as follows
main pc is connected to the net through the built in lan then a cable modem
laptop obtains interent access through the main pc via an additional network card in pc(crossover cable).

How can i access the laptop from the main pc and vice versa?

My other question is i am able to access net on laptop this way until yesterday where i had to keep restarting the main pc, any ideas? i am running two different antivirus\firewall suites on each system could this cause a problem?

Thanks

 

You need a Wireless Cable/DSL Router.

It is a device (size of a book) that connects between the Internet's Modem and the networked computers.

This device Routes (direct) the Internet to the appropriate computer.

You can plug in 4 computers with cable, and many computers can connect wirelessly to the Internet and between them self (Network Sharing).

The system would be connected like this, http://www.ezlan.net/network/router.jpg


More about Routers here, http://www.ezlan.net/routers1.html

http://www.ezlan.net/broadband.html

What to buy? See here, http://www.ezlan.net/buffalo.html

 

thanks for info but how do i go about accessing files with my existing set up?
laptop is hard wired through a spare networking card on pc with ics enabled
thanks

 

Accessinf files has nothing to do with ICS, it is a software Router to share the Internet

You do not need Internet to Share Files between comuters.

If the computers are connected with crossover cable and thier Network and Files Sharing is configured correctly you would be able to Share Files.

Successful Sharing involves some general consideration in Network settings, http://www.ezlan.net/sharing.html

As well as specific adjustment of each computer according to what it is allowed to be shared.

Vista File and Printer Sharing- http://www.microsoft.com/technet/network/evaluate/vista_fp.mspx

Basic XP - http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/maintain/filesharing.mspx

Advanced XP - http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;304040

Printer Sharing XP - http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/expert/honeycutt_july2.mspx

Windows Native Firewall setting for Sharing XP - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/875357

Windows XP patch for Sharing with Vista - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/922120

.

ICS is a software Router to share the Intrenet.

 

thanks for info mate and bringing to my attention the " Windows XP patch for Sharing with Vista" link

great help cheers mate ill post up when i get success!