You can check what shares your PC is publishing from the command prompt with:-
###
Use your own computername.
C: \Users\jim>set | find /i "computer"
COMPUTERNAME=JIM1
C: \Users\jim>
###
C: \Users\jim>net view \\jim1 /ALL
Shared resources at \\jim1
Share name Type Used as Comment
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ADMIN$ Disk Remote Admin
C$ Disk Default share
IPC$ IPC Remote IPC
test Disk
Users Disk
The command completed successfully.
The "$" shares are so called hidden shares that do not respond to a remote net view but which can still be used if you know the name.
PS
Your first cable was fine since for ANY sharing to work you need two way communications on the cable.
Oh yes, try with a blank workgroup.