Problem with hardwired home network

I have two PC’s hardwired together via thier NIC’s using a cross over cable. I have configured XP according to the instructions on the MS site. The problem is: the primary computer (minotaur) can graphically see the remote computer (goku) An icon is displayed in Network neighborhood. However Goku cannot see Minotaur at all. The computers cannot ping each other. They also cannot Net View each other. But if I shut one off, the system reports that the a network cable is disconnected. There are good link lights between the PCs. I have shut off the firewall on the remote PC. Any ideas?