Connecting XP and 7

I have a desktop with windows xp and a laptop windows 7.
I want to transfer data from one machine to the other .
I bought crossover cable for the same.

Please guide me through the setup process so that i can access the computers through the network.

Connect two computers using a crossover cable

my computers have different version of windows.

from link i earlier posted

Notes
Networks created with crossover cables are automatically set up as "Public place" networks, which means that network discovery, file sharing, and printer sharing are off by default.

Note
If one of the computers is running Windows XP, it can take some time for that computer to appear in the Network window. You might need to move both computers to the same workgroup. You can do that by changing the workgroup on either computer. To change a workgroup, see Join or create a workgroup. You might also need to turn on file and printer sharing on the computer running Windows XP.

thanks. its done.