No, Richard is correct (as usual
)
255.255.255.0 is a good mask for general use. Use different masks where you want to preserve the option to restrict privileges.
With those nine-digit addresses of yours, how can we tell you're not an IP expert...
GG my guess would be that your Network Wizard has created a "bridge" and the two PCs think they are on different Networks.
Take a look at:
Start>Settings>Network Connections(right click)
and see if there is a bridge. If there is, delete it.
Next, find your "Local Area Connection" and right click to get the context sensitive menu.
Left click "Repair". This might work.
If not, you may have a broken Winsock, so take a look at the thread up top covering Freeware