Error Network Unplugged

I want to connect two computers at my home. Work group is same on both computers. Oprerating system is XP on eone computer & Win98SE on another computer. I had directly connected this two computers thru Lan card. but on XP PC it is showing error "Network Unplugged". I also tried cross cable, then also message remain same. But after connecting thru HUB two computers are connected. Is it neccessary to connect network using HUB?

Hai
it may be a problem of your UTP cable. becz u didn't mentioned. u r connect both meachines by using which cable while u connected to switch(or) hub.
please try this
go win98 meachine and add the
IPX/SPX protocols.
which is used to communicate with xp meachine