Windows

I would first go out to the web and get the latest NIC drivers for each card on the proper operating system. Make sure the workgroup has the same name, make sure you do not have a NetBios Scope ID defined.

Try these first.
Rick

If you're using a hub, your cable certainly will work. But if the two machines are connected directly, NIC to NIC then you need a cross-over cable. Here's a rough sample of a cross-over cable: (Pair 1 is positions 1 and 2 conductors and Pair 2 is positions 3 and 6 conductors.)

Cable head
---------------
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
| | | |
--- -------
Pr1 Pr2

Other Cable head
---------------
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
| | | |
--- -------
Pr2 Pr1

Consult your Systems Admin if you could not understand my diagram.

Enjoy!

Continuation of Proposed Answer 2.

Sorry about the diagram on Answer 2. I drew it with enough spacing but the spaces were gone when I submitted. I can't fix this.

A common occurance that Win2000 drivers are not compatible with WIN95,because of technology updates,that renders win95 not being able to be seen by 2000 because it is not downward compatible beyond WIN98.Check the microsoft web site for hardware compatibility list.