MShome Network

I am using a crossover cable to a slave computer and using Network Setup
wizard on each end.The network works fine but it continues to fail and I
have to run the wizard again on the host machine.This corrects the problem
but it just re-occurs.

When I launch the wizard again I have to re-set the connection method,it is
defaulted to the wrong selection.

When working,ICS,file and printer sharing works as advertised.

Does anyone have a failsafe config for this simple network?I do not
understand the IP and DNS setting but have thrown some entries in but not
sure they are correct.

Been told to buy a router but this works just fine if I can fix this one
issue.

TIA,
Bob