Wireless connection but can't see computers on network?

I am just about to slit my wrists!
I have a laptop (wi-Fi enabled) and wanted to surf the
internet via the broadband connection on my desktop and
share files etc. I bought a Wi-Fi PCI card and put it in
my Desktop no problem. Because I have only two computers
to connect i did't bother with a router or access point.
Havinf installed the PCI card I was able to set up a
wirless network pretty easily and the Laptop connected to
the network, Voila I thought. Not so! I cannot see either
computer in 'my network places' I cannot therefore see
any filed to share or printers or get on the internet.
Can anyone help!!!
P.S Although the both computers say they are connected to
each other via wirless network, they would not 'ping'
each other even when the ip adresses and subnet masks had
the same set of first two numbers (i.e. 169.54.xx.xx) I
am told that if these first two sets of numbers on both
machines are the same then theoretically they
should 'ping'?
Many Many Thanks for any help recieved!

Without knowing what Microsoft Broadband Networking hardware you're using,
it is hard to make recommendations. PC-to-PC needs to be set up as an Adhoc
network, however that's going to give you just that - PC-to-PC. The get on
the Internet, you need to have Internet Connection Sharing enabled and
running on the system which is actually connected to your Internet Service
Provider.

If you can furnish information on what hardware you're running which is
supported by this newsgroup, perhaps we can help. Otherwise, I'd suggest
perhaps reading some of the networking columns by Microsoft MVP Barb Bowman
on the Expert Zone in my signature line or browsing some locations like
www.practicallynetworked.com on the Internet.
--
Chris H.
Microsoft Windows MVP/Tablet PC
Tablet Creations - http://nicecreations.us/
Associate Expert
Expert Zone - www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone


"(E-Mail Removed)" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
message news:1ab701c4c251$23df41f0$(E-Mail Removed)...
>I am just about to slit my wrists!
> I have a laptop (wi-Fi enabled) and wanted to surf the
> internet via the broadband connection on my desktop and
> share files etc. I bought a Wi-Fi PCI card and put it in
> my Desktop no problem. Because I have only two computers
> to connect i did't bother with a router or access point.
> Havinf installed the PCI card I was able to set up a
> wirless network pretty easily and the Laptop connected to
> the network, Voila I thought. Not so! I cannot see either
> computer in 'my network places' I cannot therefore see
> any filed to share or printers or get on the internet.
> Can anyone help!!!
> P.S Although the both computers say they are connected to
> each other via wirless network, they would not 'ping'
> each other even when the ip adresses and subnet masks had
> the same set of first two numbers (i.e. 169.54.xx.xx) I
> am told that if these first two sets of numbers on both
> machines are the same then theoretically they
> should 'ping'?
> Many Many Thanks for any help recieved!