Connect tow PC's via crossover cable in microsoft environment

Hi, 
 
I'm trying to connect two PC's, One with windows98 SE and other is a 
multiBoot 98/2k/XP_sp2 system, VIA crossover cable.

On win2k system Systray icon intermitantly showing cable unpluged error. 
In network neighborhood I found each of computer's own shared resources,
But 
not for the remot computer. 
some times I've found the remote system in network neighborhood, but
unable 
to log on. 

( same is true for other operating systems) 

What I want to know is that: 

1) What are the minimum and maximum length for the crossover cable.
( I'm using a 50' cat5 cable, should I shorten that? ). 

2) Is this neccesary to use TCP/IP and static IP addresses for cross over 
cables? 

3) Can I share Internet connection with this setup? 

4) Can I play Multi Player Games with this setup? 

As I'm a bit of novice in this regard, I will be thankful to any one who 
could provide me step by step sup****t.