Does anyone know anything about direct cable connections?

I have a gateway 2000 e-3100 and an austin audio business notebook that i would like to transfer data to. I have a belkin serial cable and have tried to do a dcc onto the laptop using laplink 3. I installed netware onto the laptop which has windows 3.1 and the desktop uses windows 98 is there any hope for me???? HEEEEEEELP! Ell be back