Why won't these computers talk to each other?

Hi all. I have asked before about a solution to this problem, but
nothing seemed to work and I just stopped trying. But dammit, there's
got to be a way!

I am trying to do something simple here, to network this computer (a
whizbang Gateway desktop) with my old machine, a still useful Dell.
When I brought the Gateway into the house and introduced them to each
other, they shook hands (a direct connection) and talked for about
three hours while offloading files from old to new.

Then something happened. I was never able to establish another
connection. I finally gave up, unhooked the cable and moved the Dell
into a room 20 feet away.

Always, I had in mind to network them and share files and the cable
internet connection. But I never actually tried until now.

Initially, I bought a Linksys WRT54GS router and plugged the cable
modem into it. And I plugged a cable from the Gateway into one of its
four sockets. I ran the CD that came with it and set it up according
to the book.

Next, I put a Linksys WMP54G adapter card into the Dell -- first
running the CD and doing all that the manual said to do. And I did
make contact! The internet connection worked just fine, but as
always, these two computers wanted nothing to do with each other (ergo
file sharing, etc.)

And, worse, this Gateway's internet connection became unstable. At
least several times a day, things would lock up and I'd have to reset
the router, reverting to factory defaults and knocking out all of my
preferred settings. Arghhh!

So. I did some more reading, and it seemed that I could just use this
Gateway as a server, with the Dell as a client. And I bought a
Linksys WMP54GS card, took out the router, and set up the new card in
the Gateway. I screwed on the antenna, and it started broadcasting
its little heart out!

All to no avail, of course. These suckers just don't LIKE each other!
Both tell me they are working fine, both are sending out strong
signals, but there is no communication. No internet connection. No
file sharing. Jeez.

Am I totally off base in thinking that an adapter card properly
configured in each machine is sufficient to set up a network? Or what
am I missing in trying to make contact?

Is it possible to know which -- if any -- Windows files are necessary
for file sharing and that might be missing or corrupted?

Suggestions will be met with thanks. I don't normally give up this
easily, but I am flummoxed.

Marshall

What IP(s) are the machines getting? Have you checked that?

You can uninstall like NetBeui and just go with the MS Client and MS File
and Print Sharing Service with TCP/IP to see if you can share resources. I
dumped NetBeui and then NWlink NetBIOS compatible and was still able to
share resources with machines on the network.

Duane