patch or crossover?

[moogman]

i want to network up my laptop with my pc.i have no network card yet but i have bought a cable that says its a patch.i mate said that won't be any good i want to network up a sony notebook to a hp pavilion. and was told i need a crossover..is this correct or is a patch cable and a crossover the same?

[fo3nix]

computer to computer needs a crossover, unless one of your interface cards is auto-sensing, in which case it doesn't matter. If you're unsure, assume neither of them are.