Ok... here's what I have...

2 computers... a pentium 200mhz and a pentium III 550mhz. As of
yesterday, they were networked together using the Direct Cable
Connection (ethernet card in each system, cable connectiing them).
All worked good. I also had DSL, and no problem.

Covad comes over to install my new DSL (cause the company I had is
horrible). After the new DSL is in, all is working good. Network
still shows good.

I begin having problems with the DSL... a few calls to Mindspring
(the new DSL company) and DSL keeps going up and down. Network
between the two computers still always working fine.

Now, I get frustrated, so I decide to reinstall Windows again from
scratch (not a problem since I normally do it every 3 months anyhow).
After reinstall, I get the drivers in for the Ethernets... cables
were never touched... but now each computer won't recognize the
other. If I check in Network Neighborhood for each system, system A
recognizes itself, and system B recognizes itself. But, they won't
recognize the other computer. Am I doing something wrong? Am I
forgetting something. I do this so often, that I can't possibly
imagine what I can be doing wrong or leaving out?!?!

Basic info:
OS: Windows 98SE...
no firewalls...
PRINTER AND FILE SHARING are properly configured for each system...
Each drive letter I want to share is probably configured for sharing
access rights...
WORKGROUP and COMPUTER NAME have been checked and double checked...
The OS reinstallation was only on my Pentium III. The Pentium 1 was
never touched and the settings remain as it was when it worked.
Since the DSL company doesn't support "customization", and the
computer manufacturer doesn't support "customization" I'm in sort of
a pit. All my backed up info is on my other system.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

---Troth