network troubles

we are trying to network two computers that both have xp, we have done it before with the same computers but for some reason it wont connect

one of the computers was a host in another network before we brought it here, now when we set up the network it doesnt identify the computer at all, on the computer that used to be the host of the old network, when we go to network connections it still shows the old folders there from the old network, but it says were on the network that we have created, is it our network card? cable? or just the computers.. i doubt it could be the card/cable we just bought the cable about a month ago and it was just being used yesterda.


also when we plug the cable into the network card no lights show up but when we plug the ethernet cord in that has the internet it lights up

any of your thoughts and suggestions would be very helpful
thanks