BC,
Try this site for a diag of crossover setup
http://www.tc.cc.tx.us/rj45_wiring_scheme.html
Or do a search on
http://askjeeves.com for RJ45 diags.
I think from memory that you can on get 10 mb/s from a crossover. To get 100 Mb /s you need to use a 100 Hub. I am using a netgear 10 Mb hub with 3 Desktops and a laptop and it works fine. Didn't have much luck with a straight crossover cable so went the hub option.
Max