Firstly what operating system are you using on both systems?
I would probably do it with a 'cat 5 UTP crossover cable' assuming both PCs have network interface cards. Then if you are using windows XP run the network wizard on both PCs. This should easily network the two together.
If you are using windows 98 se/ ME/NT/2K you will probably have to do it using ip addresses.
To do it with IPs
First, right click on 'my computer' on both PCs and check the workgroup is the same, then give each a name (e.g. desktop/laptop)
Then go into the network > TCP-IP options then set the IP on one machine to '192.168.100.1' and the other machines to '192.168.100.2'. The Subnet mask for both will be '255.255.255.0'. You shouldnt need to chnage anything else.
Once you think you have done this, open a command prompt and type 'ping 192.168.100.1' (or whatever the IP of the other machine is) If you get replys it is working if not something is wrong (or a firewall is stopping it).
Assuming everythign is workign right, right click on the folder you want to share and go to properties then the shareing tab. Select the 'share this on the network' (This is in XP, im unsure about 98 ).
Now go to the other computer and go to the 'my network places icon' click it, then go to the workgroups name and all the PCs on the network will be displayed. Double click the file with the name of the computer you wish to access, in here should be any shared folders.
If you decide ot do it this way il be happy to clarify anything about it for you.
There are other ways of connecting the two PCs together but they would be more complicated (e.g using firewire ports, serial, mabey even a way of diong it via USB)
Hope this helps.
