Help connecting 2 Mint computers via crossover cable

[otterdive]

I have a laptop with a dead screen (currently attached to an external monitor). The laptop is running Linux Mint 12. I have loads of music and video on this laptop. I have a desktop computer running Linux Mint 14 sitting right next to the laptop. I want to transfer all the music and video from the laptop to the desktop. I have a crossover cable, but I cannot seem to connect the two computers together. I have tried as best I am able to follow suggestions from various posts on this forum.

Could someone PLEASE describe in exact noob detail how to accomplish this connection? Is there a chat room where I might go so that someone could walk me through this?

Thank you!