transfering data from laptop to laptop; xp to vista

Ok so I have a question about networking that I just can't seem to figure out: How to setup a network from my old laptop to my new laptop to transfer files/data (mostly music and reports/files for school). I recently bought a new laptop, a Sony Vaio FZ-190 and need to transfer some stuff from my old laptop, which runs on xp, to my new one, which runs on vista. I have searched the internet high and low for my answer, but I haven't come across a thorough tutorial of how to do this, and i need to finish preparing my vaio in 2 weeks for the start of school.

At home, i use a router, which i can connect both laptops to but I dont know how to share data. I've tried doing the "sharing and security" stuff but i don't know where to look on each laptop to send/copy files.

I also have a crossover cable that I would prefer to use. However, I am new to networking and really have no clue as to how to set up this network and start transferring files. I was hoping someone had a very (and i mean VERY) detailed tutorial on how to do this. I've sent the last couple hours toying with the network settings and such, but have had no luck. I don't even know where to look to see if the network is up and what files are available from the other laptop.

Thanks for reading. Please help a very confused aerospace engineer student who should know how to do this.

 

Here's a good place to start:

http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/da25b51f-8c3d-e025-74aa-1fa3f29f6cdd1033.mspx

Here's a tip that will benefit any good aerospace engineer: before posting any question on a forum, try Google. Use different combinations of terms that are related to what you need.

 

Haha. Yea i tried google and looked around for a while, but I couldn't seem to find what i needed. Thanks for the link; its really helpful.

 

I would stick with the crossover cable also, do a search on this forum and I 'm sure that you'll find what your looking for.